Deep in Florence

Friday, August 6
12 miles

If it's Friday, it must be Florence. We wake up and wonder again "where are we today?" When we notice a cat in the bed, we realize we spent the night last night in Florence at Mary's house. Having her cat, Baby Girl, sleep with us has reminded me how much I enjoy having a kitty around. Maybe someday. . .



I find Mary in the kitchen and join her for coffee and conversation. She has some good stories to tell and I love listening to her genuine Alabama accent. The kids and Rich soon join us and we make a plan for the day.

The HUB of Mary's house

Rich and I have decided that since it doesn't appear to be oppresively hot/humid we would like to play some golf at a nearby course. The kids have a movie they have been wanting to see so they can drop us off. Mary is going to run some errands and meet us back at the house later for Happy Hour and then dinner out.

The Blackberry Trail golf course is relatively new and we have no trouble walking on. It is beautiful and green. Lots of trees and rough remind us that we are NOT in Arizona. Rich even manages to find a blackberry bush and I pick and eat a few berries - can't do that at home!

Sooo green and THICK grass!

We end up inviting a single that is following us to join our twosome. It turns out that his wife and wife's brother both graduated from the same high school as Rich (Bradshaw in Florence) around the same time as Rich. Small world.

No - he is not searching for his ball; he is looking for blackberry bushes!

Score!

Fore!

We have an ok round even though it is a bit frustrating due to the thick grass even in the fairways. When we are through Janel and John pick us up to head home.

The kitchen table once again is the center of activity. Mary drags out some very old Jr. League cookbooks that are fascinating. The recipes are truly gems. If Rich ever brings home a squirrel, I will know where to find how to cook it.

After a happy hour with a new Chardonnay (Yellow Tail "no oak") we head out to dinner at Crocodile Ed's. They specialize in seafood so we start with 1/2 dozen oysters (great!) and alligator bites. Janel and I end up with whole fish (baby seabass and baby snapper). They are clearly the best thing on the menu. All meals were good and we had a fun time eatin' and chattin.'



Tomorrow is a travel day so we turn in soon after arrival at home. No internet means no blogging, and we are secretly happy for the break. . .