99 and Company 2013

[liamsaunt]

Great report! I love Gallows too. My favorite unit is 2C.

Your comment about my kitchen was good for a laugh. I can assure you that my kitchen is the size of a closet, with absolutely no amenities and in desperate need of a renovation. But I have the choice between upgrading the kitchen or taking more vacation, and guess what always wins?

Looking forward to reading more about your adventures.

[shoemak38]

behind in my forum reading, love your report(s)

[Pia]

Agent99 - we arrived around 12:15pm and left at 4pm to go for drinks at the bar - we were there at the same time - we were in the middle under the tree

Pia

[dreamshark]

Oh my. Now I see why those units are so expensive.

I guess it's just not a "pullout couch" kind of place. I see what you mean about the reservation engine, though. When you enter 4 people and number of nights, it cheerfully offers the 1-bedroom units as options. It seems like it should only show you apartments that will accommodate 4 people. I'm sure their defense is the same defense hotel front desks everywhere always use - "It's not our fault - that's how The Computer does it!" You'd think if we can put a man on the moon we'd be able to create hotel registration software that people can figure out how to use.

Well, a little more expensive than you planned for, but fun to see how the other half lives for a couple of nights.

[Agent99]

Your comment about my kitchen was good for a laugh. I can assure you that my kitchen is the size of a closet, with absolutely no amenities and in desperate need of a renovation.

Well then, I am all the more in awe of your skills. Really hope you do that cook book so I can say I sort of knew you when! You deserve a kitchen like Delbert's!

[Myheart'sinSTJ]

Great trip report and your pics are beautiful! I have never stayed at The Gallows but my husband and I took a stroll over one day and they were gracious enough to show us a few of their units, as you said, they were updated and beautiful, one more great place to consider when wanting to stay in town

[Agent99]

It is surreal sitting here in this beautiful place watching the footage of the awful events of yesterday play out on the streets we've strolled a thousand times. If we were home the boys so easily could have been right there. My heart breaks for the families harmed.

So here I sit editing photos with the news turned off. Yesterday we arrived at Hawksnest after a nice breakfast at home. We did not arrive in time to snag some shade so we didn't stay as long as we would have. The water is the most astonishing palette of turquoise to deep blue and the sky is crystal clear and dotted with the occasional perfect white puffy cloud.

The boys had a nice snorkle and reported nothing very exciting, until....

Quinn was floating around at the water's edge, just as he has loved to do since he was a little boy, sifting sand through his fingers to see what tiny seashell treasures lurk. Suddenly the teeniest tinyest little octopus you ever saw floated over his hand turning from brown to pink as it hovered over Q's hand. It was only an inch and a half long at most. Never saw anything like it before.







How very cool is that? Of course we all broke out the phones to google baby octopi. Who knew that an octopus will lay over 200 eggs and thus babies hatch. Many of you know that, I am certain. It's just not one of those things we'd ever seen up close.

We stopped at Miss Lucy's for lunch but they are closed Monday's so plan your Grouper Reuben accordingly.
Stopped instead at Shipwreck Landing for the Curry Nut Grouper. Very nice. After lunch we crashed the Westin pool which is a tradition once a trip. At some point everyone started running to the beach bar flat screen as the news in Boston broke. We came right back as Q made sure his girlfriend and friends were accounted for. All very shaken up but unharmed thank God.

Here are a few other shots from the day.









Today we'll go back to Gibney since we need the shade and Q has to go back tomorrow. It's always our first and last.

[ski2play]

Great baby octapus. So neat.

See you tomorrow.

[Agent99]

Safe travels!

[ColumbiaSCTraveler]

Oh my goodness! That baby octopus is PRECIOUS!!! Now I'm going to be on the hunt in the shallows!

[Pia]

That is about the coolest thing I have seen - 100% envious but happy for you

Pia

[DonnaM]

Amazing pics of the baby octopus! Great TR!

[Agent99]

There he goes on the 6 am ferry. I liked it better when they were little. Keep him safe.



He texted me this looking back.




We had just a really nice, mellow day yesterday. Spent the morning at Gibney- plenty of sun and plenty of shade. Just right for the pigmentally challenged.



Then we drove down east- I know that is a Maine term but it seems to fit- to Miss Lucy's for a late lunch. They were pretty full but there were a couple free tables so we chose the shadiest one available. It seemed like just one guy working and he told us right away that the kitchen was running slow so we cracked out the books, read, chatted and took in the beautiful views until lunch was served. It was after 3 by then so we knew no one would want supper. Back to Gallows to hang at the pool, read a little about those dastardly Lannisters and chill.

Watched a silly movie then watched the stars from the pool again. Just a really nice, quiet day. I might be starting to relax.

[ColumbiaSCTraveler]

I tried to post just then, but snafu! If this is a two-fer....SORRY!

1. Ahhhh.....gorgeous Gibney!!!
2. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - WE ARE GOING TO MISS LUCY'S THIS TRIP!!
3. Safe travels to your son!

[Agent99]

Thanks CSCT! Here is a shot of the view from Miss Lucy's