We were front row with our chairs and the grandkids were so excited!
Here you see Bode – Taylor – Cassidy and Sherry.
It was a joyous celebration of our nations birthday!
OIB – JULY 4th. GOLF CART PARADE – and then the RAIN CAME!
We were packed to the ceiling in the car
and on top – it was also packed.
We had to have five months worth of “STUFF”
as we had rented a condo in North Myrtle Beach
for that period of time.
But first – a stop for a surprise birthday party!
Our friends in Magnolia Greens – just outside Leland N.C.
A 15 minute drive to downtown Wilmington N.C.
Buck – was turning 70!
He had no idea we were coming!
We were neighbors starting in 1986
we had known them before that
Being retired – Buck – Sherry and myself
It does not matter about the weekend.
However – Cindy – the youngster of the group
still works!
But – that did not stop her from inviting us to stay
until we moved into the condo
the following Thursday!
And we played golf three different times!
We celebrated Buck’s birthday the whole time we were there!
Her specialty is making Moscow Mules!
And she grows her own mint!
We also have always had a golf challenge
Guys vs. Gals.
And we do this also with other close friends.
So – over the course of five days
we played three times
a total of 45 holes of golf!
And we brought some wine with us
Now – I am not so much for wine
but this was a anniversary issue from Coopers Hawk
and I did find it to be to my tasting!
They have a beautiful new home that Cindy designed
and was part of every single step in the process!
And the 27 hole golf course right across the pond.
I have always loved it here
and it is on my bucket list of places to move to.
Time will tell –
A surprise birthday party
golfing with friends
a few drinks and laughs
at a lovely home and great friends.
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
and in this case
FRIENDS ARE FAMILY!
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Our second and last wine tasting was at STERLING –
across the road and on top of a hill facing the castle !
Now – it was hard trying to select just where to go
after a 2 1/2 hour drive.
THERE ARE OVER 400 WINERIES IN NAPA VALLEY !
YES – a tram ride to the top and I do not like heights !
But I prevailed – fortified with Italian wine from the other winery !
You will be just fine
do not look down
keep your eyes straight ahead !
Then we arrived – some 3 to 5 hundred feet up !
Once there – I was okay
But I will be real –
I did not care for this wine
In fact after the second tasting
I just quit !
You had to walk a long ways between tastings !
Not quite sure what that was all about
But this was the jewel of the trip
as far as I was concerned
a open covered patio
with 360 degrees views !!!!
I was happy again
my two glasses
I saved them as I went
The last one was okay !
But – not something I would order
that is just me not being a wine drinker !
Time to go BACK DOWN !!!!!
Headed back to the bottom
and then we would start the return back to our base !
But we were told –
before we go back
you have to go to St. Helena’s
and experience
GOTTS !!!!!
Now -just think – 50 and 60’s
open air root beer stands
music – girls on roller skates
burgers and fries and hot dogs
This is that with out the girls on roller skates
but the burgers and fries are on steroids! ( really good )
This is a must if you are in Napa Valley !
The place was spotlessly clean !
And the back was full mowed grass – putting green style
With picnic tables ( lots )
and trees for shade !
and the burgers were right on – not greasy !
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And they also had their own home made ice cream !!!!
WHERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEET !
And so it began – two hours – trying to pick out the stops –
We were going to NAPA VALLEY
a good two hour drive ( ended up closer to 2 1/2 hours )
CASTELLO di AMOROSA – fine ITALIAN WINE !
And – I LIKED IT !!!!
The first wine I have actually liked in a tasting ! ( all of them)
And a real castle – took 30 years in planning – 15 years to construct
and at 121,000 square feet – HUGE !
This is a replicate of a 1300 Moorish castle
I do not know the exact reason – other than it was a dream of the owner
But – you have to know – this is not a commercial wine
you can ONLY BUY IT HERE !
And it is all ITALIAN !!!!!
We choose the self guided tour !
Just the outside was worth the cost !
But it was time to do inside !
But instead we went to the under ground tasting room !
We had a really good person who poured
in fact we paid for five
he gave us at least seven
and one was from a $300.00 bottle !!!!
The kind that he had to break the wax seal !
Now – normally I do not like wine
but – there was something about this ITALIAN WINE I LIKED !
Now -the only way to get them home
was to ship them
The bummer was that you had to select at least SIX bottles
before they would ship!
I did not like it that much ( $300.00 )
So – we toasted – marked it up to very enjoyable –
And made our way back out side
exploring as we went!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
email fitztdf@aol.com
PAPA’S WORLD WHERE FRIENDS MEET FAMILY
Our second stop on wine tasting
STERLING next blog – THANK YOU !!!
When you are separated from friends by distance
you manage to get them all together through “ZOOM”!
Last evening – at 7:00 pm. this came about!
There is a bunch of us that have known each other for years and years
neighbors and small town – growing up together – friends!
And we decided that during this SOCIAL DISTANCING time –
we would do a SOCIAL HOUR over the internet using “ZOOM”!
Now – when we are together – one or two people in this case four –
always introduce a salute to health – life and laughter!
And – it began this way last night and continued for THREE HOURS!
But – along with that came the good times remembered –
the plans for a get together at the end of August
and still being debated as to when that will start and finish!
Jim and Mike are negotiating that with the latest being
celebrating ALL birthdays in September!
And I think Mike’s is toward the end of that month!
Now you notice that Mike is on here twice?
He is TECH savey and has his lap top and IPHONE.
One to see and one to hear! LOL
Many laughs – cheers and stories were told.
All in good fun and how during this time
at least for me – no haircut until this is over!
And yes – back in the late 60’s and mid 70’s
I did the long hair and motorcycle thing!
Now – we have decided that during this time of Sheltering in place
from our homes in Pa. – Va. Beach – NVA and N.C.
that we would do this every Friday night!
A few shots of Fireball ( Sherry and Cindy)
a couple beers – ( Tom)
and some wine ( Buck and Carol)
And a little of all the above ( Mike and Jim)
That at least we can practice SOCIAL DISTANCING
with a SOCIAL HOUR miles apart
And until we meet again in person
CHEERS – GOOD TIMES & GOOD FRIENDS!
Welcome to Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
PEACE LOVE HUGS !
MY SITE : livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
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