Interesting Story

My boss told me a story (true story) just the other day, that I found very interesting. The year was 1967. He told me that he and his buddy were at the Triangle Restaurant in Winston-Salem, sitting in a 1957 Chevy BelAir, 2-door hardtop, black with white top, (not the one shown above which I obtained from Wikipedia, but apparently very much similar.) (The Triangle Restaurant is approximately where the Ski and Tennis Station is now, just off Stratford Road.) They were eating pizza. He (my boss) wanted to go see the movie In Like Flint, starring James Coburn, but his friend didn't care anything about it. A young lady drove up and parked beside them in a Corvair. She smiled. He smiled back. He (my boss) told his buddy that if she was still there when he finished his pizza, he was going to introduce himself and ask her to go to the Flint flick with him. She was and he did. She said yes. You might say the rest is history as they were married nine months later. Now they have a son, a daughter and six grandchildren. I have heard it said, "He who hesitates is lost." This man certainly does not fall into that class.

The Inlet

Here is a shot of the end of the beach. You can see the inlet and the edge of Long Beach from here. Actually, I don't know if it is still called Long Beach, but that is Oak Island anyway, and further down on Oak Island are Caswell Beach and Yaupon Beach. I just knew that you would want to know.

The Birds

If any of these folks feeding the gulls ever saw the flick, "The Birds," they may not have been so flippant 'bout feeding the flying flock. The boys enjoyed seeing them fly so close and catch the bread while swooping down.

No Tennis

In the past we have talked about possibly being able to play tennis while at the beach. But the courts have always been so far away that it didn't seem to be such a temptation. Of course these are right outside our front porch, but they are locked up with a sign saying something like members only. Oh well, what do we care? We have Wii tennis.

Merry-Go-Round

And at last a couple of shot of the Merry-Go-Round. Please note that both shots were taken while the machinery was moving at full speed. Does it appear that Kenan might be getting a bit dizzy?

Indoor Games

Here we see some folks playing the indoor games at Treasure Island. Somehow some folks were able to play quite a few free games of Skee-ball.

Riding the Train

After dinner we took the boys to ride some rides, and of course, first up was the train. Here are some shots of Dawson and Zachary riding the rail.

Pics from the Dock

Here are a few pics from the dock at Betty's Waterfront Restaurant. To get the really good shots you will have to go to the folks with the pro-model camera (the Pinhos.)

Getting "Dressed Up" for Dinner

Here we are putting on a few extra clothes so that we can go to Betty's Waterfront Restaurant for dinner. We had fun on the way and walking the pier/dock and taking pics before dinner. I think the adults ate a good meal, but the boys...well that is a story for another time.

A Sunny Day

Here are various self-explanatory shots of us at the beach.

The mustache

Here is one of Sheri proudly showing off her zinc oxide mustache. I told Brett that I shoulda had him in his "Where's your mustache?" shirt that he wore from time to time, but I never seemed to get around to it.

The Beach

Here is a shot up the beach and down the beach. I also included one of the tent which kept us from getting too much sun.

Sheri and her mom

Here I sorta sneaked up on Sheri and her mom. I hope they will forgive me for posting this.

The Warning

Each time as we made our way via the beach access, we were warned of rip currents which can keep one from making his way back to shore. Some days the currents were stronger than others. The last day we were there was probably the worst as it rained for most of the day, and whenever it cleared off, and we went for a quick dip, it was so rough that it wasn't that enjoyable. If you click on the pic, you can read in the fine print at the bottom that N.C. State University helped provide this helpful info.

More Beach Pics

Here are some more pics of our time at the beach. In this set we have a very artsy arrangement of three shots of Kenan, the 18-month old, with "bookends" on either side showings some nicknacks which were hanging on the wall. Who can tell us what kind of sailboat that is in the top pic? I'm betting one of the Riley boys will be the first with the correct answer.

Dan Suttles

Here are a couple shots of Dan Suttles, former minister of music at Oaklawn Baptist Church. In the top one you see his wife Gloria and their daughter Hannah. Dan played a concert tonight at OBC, or as he worded it, "led us in worship." Needless to say it was impeccable. One song Dan sang while playing (with Billy Cox on bass guitar) was "If It Had Not Been (for a hill called Mount Calvary) really spoke to me. Dan is well-known for leading Oaklawn in an excellent music program, as well as being a kind compassionate friend who loves the Lord. Dan left Oaklawn after nine wonderful years in 2000 and went to Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, TX to get his PhD. He is currently teaching at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA in the Center for Music and Worship Studies and he is pianist at First Baptist Church Indian Trail in Mathews, NC outside of Charlotte. That is about a 3.5 hour commute that the family makes every week. We miss Dan and his family, but we pray that God will continue to use them for His glory in the places where He has led them. God bless you Dan, Gloria and Hannah.

Garden

Here are a few more shots of Pat's garden. The cherry tomatoes are turning red now, we just need the full-size ones to turn. That green bell pepper is just about ready now...too bad its the only one we have right now.
The marigolds are still blooming nicely.
And look at that Poplar tree--the leaves are turning already, and its still July!!

Chesty

For those of you who think its a bit ridiculous seeing Sarge's dog in uniform in the Beetle Bailey comic strip, then check this out. CBS news this week aired a segment on Chesty, the mascot for the U.S. Marines. He is stationed in Washington, DC at the corner of 8th and I Streets. He is part of the evening parade that is performed every Friday PM in the warmer months of the year. Just one thing, though. Chesty is getting old and retiring from the Marines. There is a new puppy on the base now.