September 26th 2008

Boy oh boy, where did this month go? I was in Knoxville Monday through Wednesday; had a little fun and trained a new rep. Stopped at this beautiful little cottage on the way; the picture doesn't do it justice. Had a lot of fun in Ridgecrest many, many years ago. Good thing they didn't have digital cameras back then! I wasn't able to go around to the back deck to see if the skid marks were still there.........................

On the way home I ran into some tornado-like weather; thought I might be able to catch a funnel but they were South of where I was. Terri asked me to keep both hands on the wheel in the future.

West Carteret had a difficult game Friday night; they played 4-A powerhouse Greenville Rose; one of Rose's players died last Saturday after a second concussion within a week. West did well and held a 7-6 lead in the first quarter, but ended up on the short end of a 49-21 score; still not a bad showing. Jackson wore his leg out, his first punt was his best for the night.

We're going to the Duke-UVa game tomorrow, church on the beach Sunday, Pop at Wake Med Monday, and then 2 hours in the dentist's chair Tuesday morning. In town all week after that as we get ready for Davis' first Morehead City visit! Should be fun with Davis and the Fishin Optishin in town during the Seafood Festival weekend. Better call the law............

September 2008

Off to Ohio again to take the booth back, have a couple of meetings, and something else, something a little special.
On the way I stopped to get some fuel. This little fellow was sitting on the head of the pump; I'll let you insert your pun in the comments section.

Another reason for the trip to Ohio was the annual grudge match with two PH's against Marty and me. We won last year for the first time in a while, and were so excited to receive this beautiful trophy from the losers. It is so much prettier than the loser's trophy; although for the life of me I can't remember why.....seems as though the loser gets a green one. Anyway, always a good time with John Hinton and Greg Costley.

Then it was off to Richmond to see Boo Vickery. Penelope, the lovely British lady who lives inside my Garmin instructed me to drive via Route 50 and then down an interstate to Highway 33 which goes through Elkins and then into VA. I've been on that road a few times before, including once on a Saturday night in the 70's with George Wooton from Rocky Mount; who turned and looked at me in the middle of an icy switchback and said "one slip and you know, they wouldn't start looking for our bodies until Wednesday...."

Beautiful drive, and for just a couple of hours the Skuttle Suburban was magically transformed into a Lotus Elise. That reminds me; I think I need some new brakes. Although my hands and feet were busy I did manage to snap this shot of some striking rock formation.

Speaking of performance driving, take a look at this video if you have a chance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIhGJyLR6TI

Patrese is an old Formula One driver who used a Honda Civic to show his wife around a race course. Terri said it reminded her of a couple of weeks ago when I got the miata up to about 30 in the driveway....except that I was in reverse. I don't think it reminds me of that; Terri doesn't speak Italian and is much prettier.

West Carteret lost to Wilmington Ashley (why don't you pick on somebody your own size?) last night 42-14..something like that. Jackson has a couple of 25 yard punts, but one that marked 47. Next week an easy opponent: Greenvile Rose!

Off to TN Monday morning.

Atlanta September 2008
We were in Atlanta at the Comfortech show last week; the downtown area hasn't changed much over the past years. Everywhere you go someone askes for a dollar
Good show considering the economy and our industry. On the way out of town Davis saw a car he really liked; I think he's going to paint his Subaru like this..........................
I stopped by this place on the way home. It's ironic that such a beautiful place is on a busy commercial boulevard. Do you know where this is? Hint: It's on Washington Street. OK, here's another hint; it's in Augusta Georgia. Got it?
Here's a picture you've never seen, trust me, you've never seen this point of view. In re-evaluating our home's value, i maaaaaaaaaaaaaaay have mentioned that it has water view. Well, here it is.
While I was on the roof putting the marine radio antenna back up after TS Hanna, I thought I would also give you a view off the back of the house. Pretty isn't it?
Off to Ohio and Virginia this week.

Hanna September 6, 2008

I'm still not sure how to spell her name, but she blew through here last night and early this morning. She didn't do very much damage from what we saw. Even with a high tide the water only got to the top of the landing in our neighborhood.

First, the calm before the storm, video taken from earlier in the week just off the Beaufort Bar

Terri and I rode to the beach late Saturday morning after the winds started dying down.
This was taken from the access at Atlantic Beach beside the Crab's Claw. I got sandblasted pretty well taking this shot. Look out in the surf and you'll see three dit-dots, one of whom is actually in the surfline.

This shot was taken from the old Triple S pier area, I decided to shoot this through the windshield.

Inside Sugarloaf Island, a sailboat catches the swell coming down Bogue Sound. They only had one anchor rode out.

You may remember an earlier post regarding the trash-yacht WaterWorld moored near the Morehead City waterfront. Today she was tied to the Gulf Dock and not doing very well in the wind.

All in all not a bad storm; I woke up at 2:00 AM and observed the winds, they were worse at 5:00 AM but not the "rocks on the window" and howling noise of a hurricane. Hope Ike stays away............

Croatan Game 09/04/08
The football game was moved to Thursday night due to the expected arrival of TS Hannah Friday afternoon. It was a pretty good game, very exciting although there were lots of penalties on both sides.
Jackson had 5-6 punts, and he got one off really well, pinning Croatan inside the 5. West held then and scored to take the lead, so it was a pretty important play, and a heckuva good punt.

Jackson's fan club was there; sorry this is a little blurry. They were having a good time chanting his name. I think he's going to need a bigger helmet.

Time to reason with hurricane season; the first bands of Hannah are coming in as I type this; first waterspout has been spotted offshore; oh what the heck, enjoy a little Jimmy
cut and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssvOqyDumS0
Goodness, he looks like an old man! But I guess we all do. That is one of my favorites
Since the hurricanes are lining up, you know where I'll be the next three weeks: OH, GA, OH, VA, TN
Post when I can

Labor Day 2008
We had lots going on this holiday weekend; on Saturday Jackson completed the rest of his BSA Eagle work by placing the stones made during VBS in the front of the church in the form of a meditation walk. We had lots of help and the work was completed before 11:00.

Now its time to write it up and go before the board.

We took Pop and Dink to Tony's on Sunday for lunch; on the way home we went by the church to show them the work; there was a young family walking the path already. Jay, Holly and Cooper were here to help also.

On Friday night West won the Mullet Bucket in fine style, 56-0. I was recruited to film for the coaching staff so I didn't get any shots of Jackson's two punts. But here is one practice punt.

While I was up top filming plays, I did notice one young lady on the sidelines with a hand-made t-shirt sporting a familiar name and number.

Seems as though Jackson has a little fan club.

We managed to get out on the boat Saturday afternoon, Sunday evening, and Monday morning. Nothing to report except undersized flounder, a couple of trout, and believe it or not a 28-30" cobia caught up in the Haystacks. In town all week and then I'll be on the road for pretty much all of September after that.