Annual Vegecation!

I know it has been a while since I actually posted a blog entry that was not demotivating, but here goes :o)

We headed out on Saturday, July 11th for our annual vegecation to New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  We call it our Vegecation because we "veg" out and enjoy the beach (our previous time share, now a vacation club) is right on the beach.  We drink beer, read books, walk the beach, play in the waves, eat seafood, and enjoy being with each other and our down time.  We are in the six story building this year for the first time, and this is the view from our balcony.  

I bought the time share in 1999, met Beth in 2000, and this will be our 15th trip here together.  We have settled into kind of a routine when we come down.  We get in between 4 and 6 PM on check in day (Sunday this year), unpack the vehicle, get groceries, then go for a never yet to disappoint seafood dinner at PJ's Seashack.  During the week we will walk up the beach for beers & burgers at The Breakers (something about the sea air, these are the best burgers ever!).   We have also discovered several bars along the beach and will pick several different ones during the week and stop in and give the locals our business. 

During the week, Beth will go to the golf course once and drive the cart (she does not play), look at the animals, and soak in the local fauna.  We find it relaxing, even if it is a bit hot.  That one day will be enough for her, and a different day I will go for a quick round by myself.  This year it is a necessity since I have a work tournament when I get back.

We will go for lunch one day at Norwoods, an "Old-school seafood restaurant with a retro feel, an expansive wine menu & a retail shop."  This year they have added a treehouse, and we are looking forward to experiencing it (we drove by today and it looks awesome!).  Toward the end of the week, we will head to JB's Fishcamp for some kayaking (up to the cove where there are manatees) and our last fix of seafood from the locals.

On the way home, we always pick a destination (we have visited Asheville, Charleston, Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, and Senoia [home of the walking dead filming]).  This year, we are visiting Asheville again.  Last time, we went to the Biltmore mansion, which was awesome, interesting, and educational; but this year when we return we are staying downtown, described on their website as: "There's something special about Asheville, North Carolina, and the world is just beginning to discover it.  This thriving mountain city features a funky and exclectic downtown, 30+ art galleries downtown alone, a world-class culinary and craft beer scene, a thriving live music scene and, of course, the awe inspriing scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains."  I am sure you can see why we are excited about this stop this year!