I know that each of us loves the “routine” that we have established on vacation, year after year the same place, at the same time. I imagine that I could guess what any one of you was or will be doing at 8:17 AM on August 12^th is this not the definition of “routine”. I also know outsiders think that we are nothing but boring and lazy people for all we do is talk all year of doing nothing other than sitting (at this point I could use Clarks words in regards his boss) ourselves on the beach watching the tide change, taking naps, watching people, Reading a book, taking a nap, dragging beach chairs (as a result of the tide) drinking wine, and then taking a nap! To those fools I say balderdash!( I never liked that word because it contains bald)  We are just the opposite! What we are is an intellectual bunch that utilizes every minute of time pondering events over the previous year, weighing each event, then mentally documenting  actionable steps resulting in the dynamic clan worthy of the distinction we have become accustom to. We are a group of individuals that are constantly aware of our ever changing environment thus leaving our historic mark on society.

For those outsiders, who might not understand let me share in one of those intellectual moments!

1779 days ago, a select group of our clan determined that they were going to do some exploring in the wonderment of the backwaters of Low County. (For the outsiders we went rented some kayaks grabbed a couple of six packs and hit the water over yonder). It started out as you typical torrid day on Kiawah,  we crammed ourselves heedfully into the 4 wheel drive sleigh and began yet another journey into the abyss (headed to the dock). The sight was very impressive, as I gazed at my new surroundings, I first noticed the abundant wild life and next was approximately 100 yards of water and beyond all you could see was towering green grass and blue skies, it was a breath taking sight, I could have remained there for hours absorbing the joys that we bestowed upon me. (I was sweating my butt off, and was a bit tuckered out from the walk, I seen some water and weeds. All I muster was to sit myself down on that there log and catch my breath, and pray that no gators were lookin for a snack). The deck hand came to greet us and began the important but laborious instructions on the proper use of the kayak. The instruction that he gave that I really found perplexing was, to be cautious and pay very close attention to where you are when you paddle thru the tall grass, because there is a possibility that you could become lost. (Some young punk came over and had the nerve to tell me how to use that there boat) I really can appreciate the importance of safety, so I continued to listen intently, but I just could not shake the comment that he made in regards to “getting lost”.

We carefully place ourselves two by two into the kayaks, and finally set sail! Starting south the water was calm and we were going against the current, I think we got disenchanted with the ride (too much work and fun), and made a decision to head for the tall grass. There were a countless number tributaries that we could choose to gain access into the grass, we made our choice and paddled back. With each stroke of the paddle the stronger and stronger we remembered the instructions from the deck hand  “you will get lost if the tide is out”   and you guessed it  the tide was out, all we could see was  green grass and the blue sky, no longer could you see safe harbor of the dock. We headed the warnings and kept going back further, getting deeper in the grasp of the tall green grass. (Hot damn, all I can see are these blasted weeds, I guess we might be a tad late get’in these boats back, gim me a brew). I am assuming that you think that we got lost, and the words of wisdom will be about how we should all listen and follow instructions, well that is way to obvious and we did not get lost… a little wet from people splashing each other with the paddles maybe.

To end this long ramble, after our adventure had ended and I went back to the beach, I began to ponder what I had learned from this experience. The water is our life, tide our emotions, grass/weeds the  obstacles we face , tributaries the choices we make , kayak our direction, instruction the word, paddles our faith, the six pack Joy. If I need to explain the words of wisdom any further ..well that is why they are outsiders!

Words of wisdom: The signs for a gratifying life surround you; don’t let the gators scare you and most of all don’t get lost in the weeds.

If you do not know, today is the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!!

We have now achieved the time when we no longer can dream of what will be (Vacation) , but take action to make the dream a reality! We must commence  the mundane tasks,  paying for the condo, buying plane tickets, renting a car, renting bikes, looking for that consummate  bathing suit, buying that seersucker  jacket with matching pants possibly a bow tie and some “fine” white  leather shoes, appropriate church apparel, beginning the quest for that one special dress for “ladies night out”. The dreams should be fading, and slowly actions need to start!

One thing that I like to do is think about the ebbs and flows of the week, here is my advice: “do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day”. (there is a real bonus if you can figure out where I got those words) Embrace those words of wisdom, and your vacation “‘Dreams” will become a reality. Let us not fret about little things for example: the long laborious drive, think about it this way: Look at all the time we get to spend “together”, Or after spending all evening packing the truckster, going out at 10:00 and discovering that keeping all the doors open, and the radio on may not have been the most intelligent idea, I could look at it this way, I got a brand new Wal-Mart battery   Or I have to get to the airport at 0 dark 30, find a place to park, get thru security, make it to my gate, will the plane be on time, will I make my connections, will they have a car for me in Charleston, will I be able to pack all of my things in the car, and oh by the way why do I have to pay so much extra for my bags! Cherish the lights of the city as you on your drive to the airport, when you get to the airport, embrace the people, greet them with a smile, shake their hands, ask them their names, be grateful for they have a long day of dealing with unhappy people,  your smile first thing n the morning, may be contagious, and help many people enjoy the day! After all, the worst thing that could happen to you is you miss your flight and they put you on the next flight and you might miss my delicious spaghetti dinner with homemade meatballs (that is if Ash ever gets the dinner list out! )

Now the most important thing… we are there to relax! When we first arrive, you can feel the excitement in the air! Waiting to pick up the condo Key, having a nice bowl of soup, the first glace at the beach. Vacation is here and we have so much to do. Sunday morning we all get up early, walk on the beach, ride the bikes, go to Freshfeild’s, grab some starbucks, get our exercising done, change for the beach, and by 11:00 we are all frolicking In the ocean surf! It can’t get any better,  we are now in mitts of  paradise, embracing everything we dreamed about for the past year: Gator watching, beach time, playing basketball,  bike rides, walking running skipping and hopping, reading books, listing to music, fine dining, great fellowship, Golf, tours of historic places,  I could go on for hours (oh… how could I leave out the Rex!!!).  Then about Wednesday, the pace subsides, as the reality of the time begins to cast it daunting shadow. You are now in the reality of mid week vacation, a place I like to call “the twilight zone”, you are exhausted; dehydrated, sunburned, and just generally soar all over.   The whole sentiment begins to amble, as the reality of time becomes inevitability. We have a tendency to sleep longer “sleep until the sun goes down” (I had to put those lyrics in her for the young ones), do more things independently, experience vacant chairs on the beach, and most of all, we all have a little less bounce in our step. Before you realize it is Friday afternoon, the skies open, the rain compels us to leave the beach; we (Byron) has drag all of our fun back from the beach one last time, and gather for our final dining experience.  Conversation is no longer full of optimism, but making plans for ensuring you have packed everything, movement is now taking the left over memories from the ice box to the dumpster, then making one last heartbroken toast to a wonderful, wondrous, amazing, astonishing, awesome week, then dragging yourself back to your bed, closing your eyes, tossing and turning, and then finally falling asleep. The next morning you awaken, to the sounds of that irritating alarm, instead of the peaceful sounds of birds singing gators (making whatever sound they make) deer prancing thru the wood, and most of all the calming sound of the ocean calling you to another blissful day at the beach. Oh well the dream for this year was realized and now we can start dreaming for next year.

In order to complete this story, we have to determine the cause of this bizarre behavior. Given all of the empirical data, I have narrowed the root cause down to a couple of things: First, It takes several days for us to relax, 2^nd,   instead of thoughts such as breaking waves the ever present relaxing sounds they harness, it is now ever so ever gently being crushed out of our heads and being replace with reality( almost time to go back to work) , 3^rd I have to throw in words of wisdom from Dad/Grandpa ”togetherness after about 3 days is like a fish.. it starts to smell” and finally 4^th, this guy has lost his mind and I am tired of reading this blog!

Words of wisdom:” Yesterday was history, today is a mystery”

Rev. Eamon Dignan (retired)

here is the picture for this week, looks like Byron is pulling ahead and there is not that may weeks left!!! This week we need to a little research! I want to know what store front Rex is standing in front of while taking this picture!

	1	2	3	4	5	6
Date	May 4, 2013	May 11, 2013	May 18, 2013	May 25, 2013	June 1, 2013	June 8, 2013	Percent correct
Byron			1	1		1	50%
Jason					1		17%
Karen	1						17%
Lauren		1					17%
Adam							0%
Alex							0%
Andrew							0%
Ashleigh							0%
Kristen							0%
Mom							0%
Natalie							0%
Sarah							0%

For the life of me I cannot figure out what caused me to think of this little story but anyway hope you enjoy!

 This happened a- ways back, it was a Thursday, the forecast was for warm temperatures, al little humidity, and a chance of rain in other words a typical forecast in Kiawah in august. So we decided that we would take our yearly journey to Charleston, to bask in the sunshine, while walking along the gold lined streets while admiring all the glorious architecture that the low country has to offer. I was so excited that I was having a difficult time caging my emotions (after all you-all that is one of my favorite things to do when I am at Kiawah), I could not stop thinking about the splendid time I would have browsing the store fronts (Gucci, Louie, white and black, saphoria, etc.) while drinking my cup of decaf coffee from Starbucks, while wiping the sweat off of my brow! Can you honestly think of anything better to do? As I was sitting in the car continuing to contain my emotions, my passengers started to arrive and then after about 10-15 minutes the last one got in and we were ON OUR WAY, to the great adventure!

As we proceeded down the tree lined lanes we decided that we were going to do something a little different this year, one group was going to stroll the streets and partake in tours of the historic homes, while the other group was going to visit the high end shopping district. This was fine with me so we found a parking tenement, I place the vehicle in to an expansive (or is it expensive) parking space and we finalized our plans and set about on our journey.

We went and purchased our house tour passes and we chose the tour with 4 homes, three of them were on the south side of the city and the 4^th was on the north side, we headed south! I decided that I was not going to participate in the actual tour of the houses, and instead I was just going to gaze at the facades of the buildings. We finished the three houses on the southern side of the town, and began our treck north. Along the way the clouds began to build and it felt like sooner than later we might get some much needed rain.  We keep looking at the map and wondered our way thru the peaceful streets of Charleston until we arrived at our destination. The girls went into the house and I then continued my exploration of the city. I stumbled on this small section of town that was about 200 yards wide and about a half mile long. Along both sides were mature trees, running down the center was a flagstone sidewalk with moss growing in the cracks,  park benches and green grass as far as the eye could see.  I was reveling in the sunshine and cool breeze, when seemingly out of know where came this tremendous deluge of moisture,(who could ever have guess that was going to happen) what was I going to do? I could use my umbrella (what man would carry and umbrella) , I could continue to walk or even run to a shelter ,  or I could run under the trees and get some shelter, I chose to go for the trees. I was not the only one in the park as you could imagine on a Thursday afternoon, so I was soon joined by a couple of homeless guys. Needless to say, I was a little concerned at first, because they had to have known that I was a tourist, they probably thought that I was loaded (money! it was not Rex Time!) yet I would never expect them to know that I have no money they wife has it all. I then looked down each side of the tree line and to my amazement there was not another soul in the park! I was not sure what to do! Should I be rude and just keep walking? Should I go find a different tree to stand under? Should I stay there and trust three guys who carried on their person everything that they presumably owned? Should I pull out my cell phone and call for help?

 So we began a long conversation, which ended up very educational and at the same time was quite entertaining for me. In other words they were really great guys, they all were happy with their lot in life, loved the city, were deeply religious went to mass every day, as they said “We live the word of God” . To make ends meet they would  do a odd jobs, as they said we don’t need all of the fancy houses, we don’t need all of the trappings of everyday life, we just need our time to help others who need us, they certainly left me with the  impression that they loved life!

I noticed that the hour had passed and the rain stopped and the sun was now out in its full splendor, so I said my good-bye to my new found friends, and went and met the girls.

Words of wisdom:   You can only see others as clearly as you see yourself.

Check out this picture! Alex sent it to me, now that is a ROOSTER! I think that would look really good on one of our beach chairs in a few weeks! I assume that this was taken a fine eating establishment! I will be willing to bet that this is the only 5 star restaurant in western PA! This place really has some CLASS!

	1	2	3	4	5
Date	May 4, 2013	May 11, 2013	May 18, 2013	May 25, 2013	June 1, 2013	Percent correct
Byron			1	1		40%
Jason					1	20%
Karen	1					20%
Lauren		1				20%
Adam						0%
Alex						0%
Andrew						0%
Ashleigh						0%
Kristen						0%
Mom						0%
Natalie						0%
Sarah						0%
Rules:  The winner each week will be the first one to get the location correct per the time stamp on the Blog
Must be done by midnight of the date shown above

Here is the picture of the week! Rex is not happy here,because his time is running out for this years vacation he wanted to be out on the beach~!! So he want two questions answered 1) who's condo was he in? and 2) What day of the week was he stuck inside watching the rain! I never noticed this before but Rex told me that he took this picture for a reason, and it has something to do with what he saw between the trees! I am not sure that I believe him but what else would be out in the middle of the lake in a rain storm?

As I sit here watching the rain, I cannot help but think of the wonderful tenants that squatted next to us at the beach a few years ago.  This Sunday stared out with a relaxing walk on the beach, an exhilarating bike ride, followed by a light brunch which included intellectual conversations with my chalet guests.  Half way thru one of the topics I was thinking to myself “self I am at the beach, so why in the world am I sitting her with these intellectuals, and not have my fat white _____ in the lounge chair on the beach” so I got up and proceeded to the beach!

It was perfect, there was not a cloud in the sky, I looked down the beach and all I saw was pearl sand, crystal blue water, white chairs with blue umbrellas and a few young families frolicking in the breaking surf. You could not ask for anything better!

All at once behind me I heard several people walking down the walkway entrance to the beach, I thought nothing of it other than they must have been from Jersey or something because they were very loud! I then closed my eyes, put on my head phones and started to listen to Mozart’s the 5^th . I think I was only relaxing for a half hour or so, and then I heard some very loud music that was interfering with the violin solo, I opened my eyes and what should appear, (no not Santa) but those loud people! While I was enjoying my music they proceeded to put up this huge bulging ugly (no not in powder blue) tent, with at least 100 Wal-Mart  “special chairs”, more coolers than you would find in the infield at a NASCAR race, bright plastic beach toys and the strangest thing was several  metal shovels!  I no longer have a view of the beach, but a view of a couple old guys trying to dig a hole to china! My day was ruined!  As the day progressed they keep digging, listing to loud music and the kids just ran around making more noise that my iPod could possibly drown out! I knew that it would have to come to an end, so as I would normally do, I just sat back and relaxed, because I have so much patience, and enjoyed the rest of the day. 

As I expected, the day came to an end, and the diggers went home and left all of their majestic toys chairs, tent and coolers for their wives to drag back to their shacks. I did notice something “they the diggers” did take back their shovels, so there was no way for the wives to fill in the trench/mote/canyon/hole or whatever the diggers wanted to call it.

The next morning, when we went back to the beach, what do you think we saw in the trench/mote/canyon/hole???? I think we all know!

Words of wisdom: A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own.