Fifty Italians and One Norwegian: family

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Starbucks followed by Cracker Barrel---A nice way to start the day! Internet in the car---this is the way to travel. Thanks Michael! Subway for lunch…all four cars made it there eventually! No more Interstate Highway for the last leg of the journey instead we are traveling the LONG and winding road. Beautiful countryside, interesting scenery—even peculiar formations that we Floridians decided are “mountains” (okay, they were probably just big hills).

Cousin Christian was correct, Chesnut Bay Resort is lovely. Three of the south Florida vehicles have arrived at check in time! Just after Andrew, Amy and Nichole—so begins the hugs, laughter, more hugs, even more laughter.

We checked in, found our cute house, and quickly unpacked when Dino announced “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere”. While awaiting the arrival of the entire “la familigia”, we sipped beverages out on the back porch! What a great vantage point; the pool, the lake, Aiello’s house, Marquez’s house and the big water slide into the lake and the arrival of everyone. Aunt Jan joined us for libations rather than unload their vehicle -that’s what Joey and Benjamin are for! Next stop, checking out the Aiello’s house….one happening place! More libations, more hugs, and so much more laughter!

The Jacob’s asked me to join them on a Field Trip to gather breakfast provisions at the closest grocery—Walmart Supercenter, 10 miles away! Sure, I am game. We returned to home-base in time to head to CluBama where music was blasting, conversations were lively, and of course there were more hugs, more laughter and even more libations. Dino, Joey and Flip grilled dogs and burgers. We reminisced and caught up with each other late into the night.