Saturday, July 22, 2017

Back to Normal

Well, they're back.  Yeah, obviously it's taking dad some time to get back on here with me. My quiet time is gone.
     Remember "All By Myself",that awesome Eric Carmen pop hit from 1975?  You remember it, right?  Right?  Are we aging ourselves here?  Mom likes teasing dad with that song in her beautiful special off-key way whenever she thinks he's not paying attention to her.  
     Dad says he used to have the 45.  I'll bet some of you don't even know what that is.  Anyway, I'm getting off track here.  Mom and dad returned from their camping vacation at Carolina Beach State Park refreshed but tired, relaxed but antsy and wishing they were still out there.
Campground Sunset

     I think they got the beach bug in them.  All I've heard since they returned is how they hadn't realized how much they loved being so close to the beach before dad grew restless with his job a couple of times over these past few years, which took them from Wilmington to Greenville, SC to Chapel Hill. 
     The day they rolled into Wilmington they were surrounded by thunderstorms and heavy downpours, but they didn't care.  They were on vacation.  They pulled into a parking garage and wandered around downtown and the riverfront, getting thoroughly soaked.  
     Hungry and wishing to avoid the rain when they realized their umbrella (mom did suggest using two of them dad, you dumb-ass) (mom's sentiment) wasn't quite cutting it against the pelting rain they found their way to The Copper Penny, one of their favorite places.  They sat out the rain with a delicious lunch and a couple of frosty glasses of beer, and reminisced about the time they spent living here a few years back.
Wilmington Riverfront on Day One

     The rain eventually let up, and after walking off some of the beer lunch and popping in for a couple of Kilwins ice cream cones made their way to the state park, where they set up camp and planted themselves for the next 4 days.
Keeping it (somewhat) Healthy at Breakfast


     The Wilmington area forecast up until they actually left Chapel Hill had been calling for rain and storms pretty much every day, but they ended up with the most perfect beach weather all week, and spent every day at Fort Fisher Beach.
Mom Hamming it Up at the Brewery

     Good Hops Brewery, within walking distance from the campground had just opened up before mom and dad moved away from Wilmington and they never got the chance to check it out back then.  One day after lounging at the beach they walked over for a couple of brews, and, well, just check out the picture.
     It's a cool little place far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Carolina Beach and, being mid-week wasn't too busy.  As you can see the bar held a mixed crowd of "folks", all very friendly and laid back.
Umm, No, You're Not Seeing Things

     
     Other than spending all week at the beach mom and dad relaxed at camp, enjoying cooking over the fire every night, dad not bitching about happily getting used to having to start a fire each morning and waiting for the coffee percolator to finish bubbling his lifeblood to his desired strength.
The Old Man Tending the Fire

     The camping was peaceful and quiet, with the exception of the obnoxious mansion on wheels with the garage-sized gas generator rumbling sunrise to sunset.  You'd think the tent sites would be separate from the ones where people feel the need to bring their entire home with them.  
     Okay dad, you got that bitching out of the way.  Happy? 
What it's All About


     Anyway, they're back.  Dad was in heaven barefoot, shorted and shirtless nearly all week. 
     Dad's co-worker took awesome care of me while they were away, stopping in each morning to top off my dishes and scoop my poop. 
     Dad's back at work ("grrr....," he says), mom's got everything washed, packed away and cleaned up 'til next time (I'm thinking "next time" is gonna come sooner than later since they had such a ball and miss the beach so much), and everything's back to normal.  Plus this post is getting way too long and I don't want to lose any of you.
     
      

17 comments:

Mickey's Musings said...

Good to hear your folks had such a fun time.
Now that they are rested, they will have more energy to do your bidding!
Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

pilch92 said...

Welcome back! Good to know you were well cared for and your folks had a great time. I know that song from the Bridget Jones movies, she always sings that -very off key :) Looks like a beautiful place to vacation. I am impressed that your folks went real camping in a tent. That is odd that they had to be near the noisy campers with generators though.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I'm glad things are almost back to normal for you Cleo! I don't think the beach would be any fun with thunderboomers!

Eastside Cats said...

Got to admire anyone who likes to camp; I need a bed and pillows and air-conditioning when I travel! Obviously, I'm higher maintenance that your peeps, Cleo!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

so glad they had a pawesome time! As for 45s....seeing the photo of your Mama I am waaaaaaaaaaaaay older than she is, so much so that I remember the RCA DOG!!!! BWWWWAHHHH!!! catchatwithcarenandcody

When the Cat is Away said...

Haha, I also know the song from Bridget Jones. ;)

Welcome back! Sounds like they had a great time. Did they bring something to you? Our hopeless human failed on bringing us souvenirs when she went traveling!

Tamago said...

Welcome back! Glad your mom and dad had such a great time! Even with some noise, sounds like it was very peaceful and relaxing :-) I love the photo from the bar, with mixed crowds!
Also glad you were very well taken care of. Hope you enjoy mom & dad time :-)

Colehaus Cats said...

Yippee for camping and having a good time, and double Yippee for having someone come to top off food and scoop poop! We liked reading about making a fire every morning and your photos made our humans almost feel as though they were there. Thank you for finding us to visit. We hope to read more about you!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Glad your folks had such a great time.

The Island Cats said...

Looks like your peeps had a great time...but we bet they're glad to be home with you now.

Katie Isabella said...

Sweetheart, I am so glad they enjoyed themselves and you sound like it wasn't;t too bad. No one to sleep with though...make them feel badly about that next chance you get.

Summer said...

It sounds like your humans had a nice vacation!

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Good that they're home - now you can ignore them. MOL MOL MOL!!!
It's so great to visit ya'll and get caught up, you've been in our thoughts.
XOXO

Ivan from WMD said...

Yeah yeah yeah, they had fun. What we still don't get is why you didn't get to go along. It would have been perfect with all that sand and stuff. We think they need to reconsider the next time they get beach fever, Cleo!

P.S. Our mom is such a bat that she still *has* 45s.

Hairballs and Hissyfits said...

Glad your folks had such a great time! Still no excuse to leave you behind!

meowmeowmans said...

We're glad your parents had a great trip, Cleo. But we're glad they're back, and things are getting back to normal for you. :)

And our parents remember those 45s!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

cleo...wavez two ewe gorgeouz...grate ta see ya bak thiz way N we iz happee dad N mom hada awesum time....we all wayz say; matterz knot de weatherz but how ya spend de day...soundz N lookz like they hada mega grate time; we wood loves ta go two de beech two, we wood never come bak home !! ☺☺♥♥