Our last day in Daytona Beach came on Friday, September 28. We had all had a nice, full week and decided to round it out with our traditional visit to the Daytona Beach flea market after a quick breakfast in the room. There is seldom much here for me at hillbilly central, but I was able to pick up a stack of DVD’s to add to my ever-growing collection. And of course, I sampled the fruit and had a soft pretzel. We were back at the condo by early afternoon, so I plopped onto the couch, watched some more TV on DVD and ate lunch while the others swam.
My natural Daytona Beach habitat
About 2:00pm, I pried myself from the couch and went down to the pool and beach for a couple of hours. It was slightly warmer than it had been the day before. Ashleigh, Mom, and I passed the spongeball around in the pool. I even ventured out into the ocean for a bit to ride the wild surf. It wasn’t too bad.
I made it to the beach. I even got in.
Yaht and me in the pool
Bob absorbed in his magazine
Denise absorbed in her book
Mom absorbed in Adam
That evening at about 6:30 we all went out for our final dinner at Bubba Gump’s. This was my choice, as I had never been there before and wanted to see what it was all about. Mom and Bob picked up the tab for Ashleigh’s and my dinner as a gift for my upcoming birthday. They were having a celebration of sorts themselves – as their sixth wedding anniversary would be on the following day. I had a great a great shrimp combo called the Shrimper’s Heaven which consisted of coconut, chilly, fried, and tempura shrimp. Good stuff, I must say. The waiter came around and quizzed us with trivia from the film Forrest Gump, which we passed with flying colors. And naturally, considering my surroundings, “I had me about 13 Dr. Peppers” (as indicated in the photo at top).
I’ve worn lots of shoes…
Me and Ashleigh in Shrimper’s Heaven
Ashleigh eats a piece of bread the size of her purse
Adam is done throwing coasters on the floor and ready to eat some fries
Bob and Mom get cute for their anniversary
Although we were all stuffed, we took a bit of a walk for about an hour or so. We wandered into some of the shops and gamerooms on the Daytona Beach boardwalk. Some of us were in dire need of the bathroom by that point too. Ash and the Ocks left a bit earlier than we did in order to get Adam home to bed. Mom, Bob, and I hung around in order to see a Firedance performed by some chick whose music wouldn’t start. I was embarrassed for her, so we slinked off without leaving a tip.
Me and Ash on the Boardwalk
The crummy part of the trip then came: the packing, restless sleeping, and then driving back. We did it in one day, stopping for our meals at McDonalds and KFC. Denise and Aaron decided to spend the night on the way back. I had to drive the last leg of the trip in the dark which wasn’t favorable…but we made it. Jackie met me at home and greeted me with a smile and an excited “you’re back!!”
This brings us to the end of the trip
Return to the beginning of the trip…
Continue with 2007…
I sat on the bench used in Forrest Gump. It now resides in the Savannah History Museum. Jealous?
Chris Tangeman
December 5th, 2007
Looks like everyone had a great vacation and enjoyed a lot of fun together.
Bev
December 5th, 2007
The trip was great from beginning to end. It was really fun to be together as a family and enjoy Disney World and the Beach. Of course, for me, it’s always great being with my grandkids. I’ve always enjoyed vacationing with Ashleigh since she was really little and look forward to just as many great memories with Adam. Now we just need Bryan and Erine to join us next time as well!
Barb/Mom
December 6th, 2007
Given my profession, I receive many questions as to whether or not Adam will grow up to be a politician. I trust the fact that he has appeared nude on the internet will not be used against him whatever his future ambitions may be. It’s not as though he “inhaled” anything, and I would argue that the nudity has been displayed “tastefully.”
Aaron
December 6th, 2007