Somebody had a 'going problem'. So we had to stop.
"Best Butts in Alabama", I've seen better butts than those.
Mauri & Chris' hospitality is superb! We raised 'em up right! There's the proud 'Pops' in the blue shirt (the one with hair), with I'm sure, a contrasting tee shirt, maybe he's even wearing sox. Strange what being in Atlanta will do to you. 
Dinner at DOLCE with bowling upstairs, sounds strange. Hey! what can I say? Its Atlanta, where you come to expect strange and know you wont be disappointed.
See that bar behind them? Guess where they are headed!
Of course that's the Artist of the Year & his lovely bride. 
They are all so proud of Mikey!!! They'll do anything for a 'show & tell'.
Now this is what I call a 'POSSE'. A real 'love-in'.
See those hands? That's their usual positions!
They are just waiting for lunch to be served.
Every time you see them, they are holding a vessel with some kind of libation.
OK! Where do we go from here? It has been a long day! Hey you! open your eyes.
I know you once were patrons of 'THE HIGH', but that doesn't mean you can take this guy home with you!!
After another hard day, we had to refill the 'batteries'. Check the glasses.
Our flabby necks have never looked better. Who is that big guy up there?
There he is , to object of our attention. Mr. Whale Shark, to you!POSSE members, Sally & David Smith, Donna Reynolds, Dan Mueller, Sherri & Mike McCarty & Ladie Bea & Wayne Carlisle along with TDC New Product Development Mgr., Vicki Kitahara & friend, David Thomas made a 'mule train' (four wagons) pilgrimage from THE BEACH to Atlanta to participate in a media event for Beaches of South Walton featuring Artist of the Year, Mike McCarty, hosted by the TDC.
That first evening our children, Mauri & Christopher Smith ( Sally & David's son & daughter-in-law, but we claim 'em) hosted a lovely cocktail party at their apartment across the street from our hotel.
After wining & dining, so to speak, with Mauri & Christopher, we walked, in the rain, to DOLCE for dinner. What an interesting concept for a restaurant which features an upscale bowling alley upstairs over the dining room. No that wasn't thunder you heard, it was a strike! We closed down another one and then returned to Twelve, for you guessed it, a nightcap and then it was off to our 'bunk houses'.
The Thursday luncheon, & viewing of many of Mike's paintings, was held at a trendy and fabulous new restaurant, SERPAS. Fifty or so magazine publishers, editors, and writers were assembled to hear the virtues of the Beaches of South Walton and to meet the artist, Mike McCarty, his wife, Sherri and all of their wonderful friends - that would be those of us from So. Walton as well as the McCarty's friends from their years in Atlanta.
After wining & dining, so to speak, with Mauri & Christopher, we walked, in the rain, to DOLCE for dinner. What an interesting concept for a restaurant which features an upscale bowling alley upstairs over the dining room. No that wasn't thunder you heard, it was a strike! We closed down another one and then returned to Twelve, for you guessed it, a nightcap and then it was off to our 'bunk houses'.
The Thursday luncheon, & viewing of many of Mike's paintings, was held at a trendy and fabulous new restaurant, SERPAS. Fifty or so magazine publishers, editors, and writers were assembled to hear the virtues of the Beaches of South Walton and to meet the artist, Mike McCarty, his wife, Sherri and all of their wonderful friends - that would be those of us from So. Walton as well as the McCarty's friends from their years in Atlanta.
After meeting & greeting at SERPAS, the assembled POSSE, which now included Susan Thornton, who had a delayed flight from VPS, rode off to the High Museum of Art, THE HIGH, if you are in the 'in crowd', to get our second dose of culture for the day. I think the Kimosabe is trying to give us new experiences, seeking to broaden our horizons (you know, we come from the Redneck Riveria). The main attraction was the massive display of Chinese Terracotta. No, we are not talking about roof tiles! This exhibit is some of the recently unearthed findings from the two sq. mile tomb area of the First August Emperor of the Qin, King Ying Zheng [ying jung]. This tomb was started in 246 BC and more than 7000 terracotta soldiers, horses, chariots, musicians, artists, animals, etc. have been excavated from some 600 pits. The actual tomb of the king still remains sealed. Over 700,000 convicted criminals helped construct this massive undertaking.
After a couple of hours being 'culturized', we returned to our boutique hotel, Twelve, at Atlantic Station.
After a couple of hours being 'culturized', we returned to our boutique hotel, Twelve, at Atlantic Station.
Morning came early for some of us, as we prepared for a must see 'point of interest', the Georgia Aquarium. We made our way through the stormy Friday morning rains to the aquarium to be greeted by no less than 10,000 little 'ankle biters', having arrived on countless school buses, dressed in their matching florescent tee shirts, ready for a field trip - away from the drudgery of nursery school, kindergarten, etc. A full 90% of these folks were under eight years of age. OUCH!!! Next time, we'll go at the cocktail hour. Despite the masses of 'them', the whole of the experience was enlightening. The smiley face Beluga whales were my favorite - a close second were the Whale Sharks.
At about noon, four of the weary POSSE, Donna, Dan, Ladie Bea & Wayne, broke & ran, headed for more hospitable climes, Scenic 30-A. Susan followed later in the day on a flight back to VPS, while Sally, David, Sherrie & Mike stayed for more festivities, another cocktail party Friday night and a major wine tasting & art auction on Saturday.
Having successfully traversed the slippery, always under construction, I75/I85 corridor with adverse weather conditions, the first 'stage coach stop' was the Pilot in Newnan, Ga., where cheese crackers & coffee were the best we could do. Then it was back on the trail again, (not so dusty) headed due south. We are headed for the border, that is, the Florida line. But we find a six hour trip a bit much for our tender back-sides (saddle weary), so we must find rest & sustenance in Eufaula, Ala. at the River City Grill. What a delight!!! Good food, service, wine & prices!!
The six o'clock hour found our smiling faces & weary bones back on beautiful rainy Scenic 30-A, glad to be back in our paradise. It doesn't get any better than this!!! We are HOME!!
