Sunday, June 10, 2007

Home Times Two

Well, the annual summer gathering of my wife's side of the family was it's usual memorable success. We managed to overwhelm waiters and waitresses at two restaurants with our party of 26 (everybody couldn't make it this year) which included everything from newborns to aged beauties.
Ever try and seat a party of 26 at a restaurant on a Friday evening in a beach town when the big Kingbuster Kingfish tournament is happening?
Let me tell ya, it ain't pretty, but Panama Hatties over by the pier on St. Augustine Beach managed to get us in all together after an hour wait. The food was good and the prices were very reasonable. If you go, be forewarned the place turns into a bar late in the evening. I used to hang out there alot in my college days ... I didn't even know they served food.
On the second night, we made reservations at the more formal Columbia Restaurant and even though we walked in and sat down without any delay, we still managed to totally confuse the two stressed out waiters assigned to our party. Poor things, I hope they didn't get fired.
The collage at the top goes something like this:
Top row = My nieces and brother-n-law
Middle row = Me and my girls, Our newest family member Jade and her Mom, about half our party at the Columbia
Bottom row = Emma and Jasmine, covey of cousins, Mckenzie one of my twin nieces.

Friday evening, we watched the shuttle streak across the sky as we waited to get inside the restaurant. I've watched rockets shoot into the Florida sky since the Gemini days and I never get tired of going out to see it.

This is the vapor trail left after the actual firebreathing shuttle is out of sight.
Tomorrow, I have 4 hours of professional tests to take as my last hurdle for my National Teacher Certification, so I suppose I should be studying and not blogging.
Typical student ... easily distracted.
Posted by Picasa

22 comments:

Peggy said...

COOL shuttle photo!!! I haven't gotten to see one yet, but I'm sure I will sometime.

Good luck in the tests!

OldHorsetailSnake said...

And who gets to say, "I'll pick up the check"?

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great time. Absolutely awesome shuttle shot!

lej619 said...

sounds like you had a great time
good luck on the teachers test

Anonymous said...

(laughing at HOss' comment)

Sounds like a blast! Bet you all had a great time. :)

Anonymous said...

If only y'all had ordered the 1905 salad...

Great shuttle shot! And all those babes and toddlers- sweet.

I'm certain it will be smooth sailing on the certification tests.

R.Powers said...

Peggy,
My Dad used to take us down for shots when we were tiny and I've seen the shuttle all the way over here near Cedar Key. It is way cool.

Hoss,
That is what drove the waiters insane.

RCW,
Thanks, you don't know how close I came to missing it. I had to DASH to the JEEP and dig out the camera as the rocket climbed into the sky.

Quiltbug,
Welcome! Thanks for the good wishes!

Laura,
It was good, but it was more relaxing last year when we rented all the cabins at Fanning Springs.

Vicki,
That was my order, a full 1905 salad and a bowl of Spanish Bean Soup.

Cathy said...

What a blog. Beaches, babes and the rocket's red glare. Have you ever witnessed a shuttle launch close-up?

R.Powers said...

Cathy,
Yes, I have, from directly across Mosquito Lagoon.

Pretty awe inspiring.

LauraHinNJ said...

Good luck with your tests tomorrow! I was hoping you'd have pics of the shuttle launch - thanks!

robin andrea said...

That looks like a grand time, fc. I was just looking at that photo of you and your daughters and thought, "wow, I've been seeing these faces for two years, I feel like I know them!"

Incredible shuttle shots. I've always wished I could see one take off like that. Truly spectacular.

Anonymous said...

We were all lined up at the bridge with a clear view of the east coast ready to see the shuttle launch. Unfortunately, (or fortunately since we really need the rain) a big black thundercloud got in the way. Sounds like a great vacation with lots of love! Good luck on your tests. Remember when you get a moment that some of us need assistance with travel arramngements to St. Augustine. :0)

Deb said...

I must be totally out of it--didn't know there was a shuttle launch this weekend!

Great photos of what looks like a great weekend. I am envious of anyone with a big, close family who knows how to have a good time.

Anonymous said...

Panama Hatties serves food? I learn something everyday from this blog. BTW, you need some sun.

Anonymous said...

Love your pages!
I passed my NBCT exam a few years back, but it was really hard. You probably type fast and that will help. Good lucK!
Sarah in Tallahassee

Doug Taron said...

Great shuttle shots. Good luck with the exam.

Anonymous said...

We have it good here,the river was beautiful yesterday I guess the celebrations are over and college will start soon for Emma now you have caught up to us 2 in college at the same time ,come on retirement I am ready

R.Powers said...

Laurahinnj,
Glad you liked them. I'm embarrassed to say I almost missed it because I didn't pay attention to the time.

Robin,
I know, blogging has that effect. I think it may be the best thing about the habit :)

Cathy S,
I'll email you about travel after I get home from my testing today. Remind me if I forget.

Deb,
Mrs. FC's family is huge (8 siblings) so it's hard to get everyone together, but we do have a good time when we do.

Kevin,
I know, I thought it was a beer only place back then ;)
I know, I have a farmer's tan. That's what SPF 60 does for you. No need to buy the dermatologist another big screen tv or motorcycle, if you get what I mean.

Sarah,
Welcome! Thanks for the support and congratulations on your passing the National Boards!

Doug,
Thanks!

Rick,
Those of us who bounced around for awhile can not retire anytime soon. That free spirit stuff catches up with you when you calculate retirement years.
I'll be at it for awhile still.

Alan said...

Salad? When you could have had paella! {laughing}

.....Alan.

R.Powers said...

Alan,
I know, but I was in the mood for it.

Anonymous said...

Seeing your shuttle images reminded me of growing up in Central Florida (Polk County). The teachers at our school would take us out to the breezeways or playground blacktop to sit and watch shuttle takeoffs. Unfortunately, the last one I got to watch was the tragic loss of the Challenger. I was only in the second grade when that happened, but it's one of the most vivid and sad of all my childhood memories.

I love visiting your blog, by the way. I just recently discovered it through a circuitous follow-the-blogroll route, and I'm happy I did. You capture the beauty and wonder of Florida in your entries, a feeling which I always have a hard time recapturing whenever I'm down for a visit. It always seems as if I end up in the sterile resort areas, or the congested suburban sprawl. They say "you can never go home again," but sometimes I feel like you're showing me that the home of my childhood is still there, and has been all along. Thanks for that. :)

R.Powers said...

Marci,
That may be the nicest thing anyone's ever said in a comment here.
Thank you.