Few Vacation Pics

JamesNLA

So I took the family on a 6000 mile vacation..........

departed LAX at 7 A.M. Which meant we needed to be their by about 5. Which meant we needed to leave the house at about 3-3:30. For me, it's fine, but taking all of the family....never again.

So KLAX - KPHX // KPHX - KBNA

L.A. to Nashville.

5 Minutes after we landed, they got hit with massive rain showers causing flights to get delayed. We met up with the wifes Cousin and her family.
Of course me and her hubby head to the nearest bar to do some damage. Did you know there is a Home Depot GAS STATION? Of course it's right next to home depot, but the gas their was about 10 cents cheaper than all the other gas stations nearby. Never knew HD sold gas. I digress, next day, at 4 A.M. local time (2 a.m. my time) we depart TN for Panama City Beach, FL.

8.5 hour drive straight through the middle of the great state of Alabama. I had been to AL once as a kid when I went to Space Camp....The views was how I had remembered it...hot humid and full of large green trees everywhere.

Got the FL...me and the cousins hubby went and did some damage at the bar. It really was a drunk fest for the first few days which we both really needed / wanted!!

Did all sorts of stuff like going to "The Wall Mart"....that place is rediculas. We have them where I live, but I just don't go there. We have a Target and a Costco and a Vons, good enough for me. The Wall Mart is just how South Park depicted it to be....

Anyhow, the place we stayed was GREAT for the kids, I would highly reccommend it (once I can remember the name) however the rooms are terrible. I mean it's liveable, but by no means is it modern or well kept.

The ocean was practicly hot. Going into the water was not much relief. Funny thing is I live fairly close to the beach but I just never go anymore. So to travel all that way to go to the beach........
The place we stayed at has a lot of things to do with the kids. A large water slide / 3 or 4 pools / all the normal water toys/activities. Now this part I don't get, may some of Ya`ll can figure this out.
There is a bar on the beach, they allow kids in the bar. One can also smoke in this bar too. During the Keroke (sp?) times...like 6-10 they do a family keroke, which is fantastic for the kids and familys to spend good times together (I would only do a Kid Rock song, but they didn't have it). Well while this is going on, they allow the kids to SIT at the bar. This is almost 3rd world to me, as I can't smoke within 20 feet of a bar entrance.

Anyhow, I drove all the way back after a week of sun and fun and I gotta mention a few other things. The color one gets from the sun over their is just amazing. It's not the same as out here. Second.....the women....Oh My God, you lucky bastards that live out there. Now sure there are hot women out here and everywhere in between, but there is something about these southern women.....just one of those shake your head moments while looking at the ground and then think of how pretty she was when you married her, but one can still look/drull.

And finally my dissertation (hardly) about the people of TN -AL - FL.
I have always heard of that "southern Charm" thing, but experiencing it was something all together different. Just an overall respect and kindness (FOR NO REASON) had me wondering about the enviornment that I am raising my kids in (L.A. area)

Standing in line for the water slide, I see this kid behind me, asked if he was having fun "Yes Sir" he says without missing a beat. Asked where he was from "Florence Alabama" with the same conviction....I was just like wow...I nicknamed him Florence for the rest of the times I saw him again, he seemed to get a kick out of it!

All in all, the wife had me looking a properties the day before we left Nashville. That's a whole nother topic. I'm looking for land on a lake, she wants to buy into a new track going up now......sigh....

Enjoy the pics!!


Southbound 65
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The view from our room
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__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

JamesNLA

more pics...

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Our cousin keeping it legit by the pool

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Some Pirate boat tour that was shooting cannons at us. And of course the eye candy

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

JamesNLA

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

KentWhitten

Space Shuttle? I thought you fell off a ladder a day ago?

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

knothole

Thanks, we like it here. I65 runs about 8 miles from our house.

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Follower of Jesus Christ

JamesNLA

Yes it's the space Shuttle!
Had I been more aware I would have left a day early and went to go see her fire off. I have ALWAYS wanted to do that and I wasn't pleased when I heard it was taking off the day we were heading back to TN.

And I fell off the ladder months ago, someone recently revived that thread.

We were in La Vearn (sp?) and the next exit down was Murphysburogh I think....I seem to remember exit 71 or 72 off the 24. I did visit Franklin courthouse area. Cousin's hubby needed to go see the judge (LOL).
There was also a fire at a PF Changs on some record heat days that was happening. That area seems to be blowing up with population and housing.
It seems every house is built the same. Brick face / siding, while I did like the look it seemed rather cookie cutter even on the one off houses. Another thing I noticed is ALL the plumbing vent lines were PVC, I really don't see that hear...ABS mostly. I did like the area, don't know if I could deal with the culture shock...I imagine if I was really busy it wouldn't matter much.
It's a HELL of alot cheaper to build a house and just general living. 250-400K for about a 600-1.5Mil home out here. That is a large consideration into discussions about moving out there.

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

RYANINMICHIGAN

[QUOTE=JamesNLA;

We were in La Vearn (sp?) and the next exit down was Murphysburogh I think....I seem to remember exit 71 or 72 off the 24. QUOTE]

My best friend lived in this area for 10 years. DId a lot fo golfing around therre. Pretty place.