“See ya Claymill! We’ll see ya in 10 day, 11 days, no 10 days?” Ron asked as we pulled out of our neighborhood, the clock reading 8:07 a.m.
“Ten days,” I responded as we turned right, on the road of adventure and a new experience for the holidays.
Arriving in Lumberton, NC, around 1:30, the deluxe site Ron booked meant it only took minutes to settle in for the night. Thankfully, we had light traffic most of the way, just starting to pick up when we got off the road for the day.
We spent the afternoon watching the Langer’s defeat the Wood’s the family PNC Classic golf tournament. Afterwards, a trip to Walmart yielded our Christmas dinner of NY strips, mashed potatoes and corn, with pumpkin pie for dessert. And a new laptop for me, since mine had decided to malfunction, the battery not working properly.
Back at the Atlas, Ron grilled pork chops for dinner and I set up my new machine. When the Roku decided to act up, we decided to call it a night, heading to bed early, enjoying cuddling in the cool air. I love cold weather camping.
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With a low of 24 degrees during the night, we dripped the faucets to prevent the lines from freezing. Unfortunately, when Ron used the bathroom in the early morning hours, we discovered that didn’t work.
Thankfully, I already prepped the Keurig for my morning coffee, but Ron hadn’t. However we had a frozen bottle of water in the freezer, used in coolers, that I defrosted during my quiet time for Ron as I enjoyed time with the Lord.
Rain escorted us onto Jekyll Island, just after 3:00 p.m. The headwind made things interesting as we crossed the sound. Setting up in 50 degrees with misty drops made our welcome a little soggy.
Christmas lights lined the streets as we drove onto the island. Excitement stirred at the thought of them shining in the night sky. We decided tomorrow night after Christmas Eve service we would go exploring.
After writing devotionals, I watched “Let It Snow” on Pureflix and published “4:13 Doing Hard Things with Strength.” A cup of hot cocoa with loads of whipped cream sweetened the morning. Ron piddled around the trailer, making plans for us and complaining about the wifi.
Our lighted palm tree suffered during transport, the base breaking apart. Ron used the hitch to prop her up.
“I hope it’s not too windy,” Ron said as we rode away on our bikes. So far so good, she’s still standing.
After smash burgers at Corridor Z we shopped around the square. Walking into the Jekyll Market I saw a blonde woman, sitting at a small table, books spread in front of her, having a book signing.
“Are you a reader?” she asked as I approached the table.
“I’m an author, actually.”
“What do you write?”
“Mostly Christian.”
“My first two books have bad language, but I cleaned it up in books 3 & 4. I have a grandson who goes to Liberty. He asked me if it was “cozy?” I said, “cozy?” He wanted to know if it had bad language in it, so I cleaned it up.”
And that started my new friendship with Sandy Melton, past wedding planner turned author, hoping to sell the rights for her book to a T.V. series. Her resume includes columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Ghost writer for 2 books (one of them a Housewife), as well as travel writer.
“It was great, I got to travel for free.”
Sandy educated me about self-publishing and using Atticus for formatting, advice I’ve already implemented. She also told me about Ingram Spark, a publisher for independent booksellers, and bookshop.org, their way of feeding the stores.
Wanting to stay in touch, she gave me her bookmark with her website on it and told me to send her a message. Which I did, telling her God used her to answer my prayer. Knowing I wanted to take my formatting up a notch, she gave me the information I needed to do it and saved me a bunch of time in research. Thank You, Lord! God bless Sandy and her efforts.
Christmas morning came quietly as Ron snored away, and I enjoyed my quiet time.
After opening Christmas stockings, we had a leisurely morning. I worked on 413, while Ron puttered outside. When he built a fire, I moved outside, finishing the formatting and ordering author copies, while Ron read his book.
Wanting to make a list of suitable campsites, we took a ride around the campground. Returning to the Atlas, we got ready for our 3:00 brunch reservation at the Jekyll club. $89 a piece, plus gratuity, we saved our appetites to binge on the buffet, which didn’t disappoint.
Prime rib, salmon, molasses ham, turkey and cranberries with cream cheese mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables filled our bellies.
“I’m not eating anything I can get anywhere,” I told Ron when he came back with a plate full of appetizers.
“Good idea,” Ron said.
Carriages rolled past, filled with passengers touring the historic area. People strolled by and every now and then we would see fellow bike riders enjoying the trail.
After brunch, we strolled around the club, enjoying the decorations. Our bellies full, the bike ride home helped wear some of it off. The brisk wind made for a chilly ride home.
B. Morrison won the first round of the Jekyll Island Christmas Open, battling wind and rain to gain an 8 point lead after day one. Walking 18 holes on Indian Mounds wore us out, but also made us grateful for our health and time together.
After drinks and an app at the local Irish Pub, we enjoyed an afternoon around the fire. I chatted with cousin Karen, catching up on family news. Then chatted with Martha, giving her the news we’ve decided to move to Smithfield.
Round two of the Christmas Open started with dreary skies and a cold, stiff wind. Slight drizzle made us apprehensive, but by the back nine the sun appeared and the weather warmed. Playing the newly opened Pine Lakes for the first time, we had slow play, giving us a chance to practice our patience.
B. Morrison won the day, giving her a 12 point lead. Ron will have to play perfectly to finish with the come back of the year.
Saturday started Lazy, and ended with a bang. After publishing “The Way of Love: 14-Day Challenge” for Valentine’s Day, and ordering product and tags for the shops, we decided to walk nine holes earlier than later.
Arriving at the course, we quickly found out we had an hour and half wait, so we went to the Beach House for lunch. After mediocre service, and splitting a burger, back to the golf course we went.
By hole six I solidified my victory in the first Jekyll Island Christmas Open. We played the last two holes with Michael from Bethesda, MD, recovering from a knee replacement.
Back home, we rested for an hour before riding our bikes to the village and around the island to see the lights. Stopping by Tortuga Jack’s for dinner, we ate at the bar, the ocean’s waves serenading us.
“Now go slow,” Ron said as we started the four mile ride back to campground in the dark.
“Yes, Dear,” I responded, taking the lead and rolling away.
Stars shine brightly over the ocean, twinkling in the night sky. Riding beside the Atlantic the breeze rode with us, keeping us company, salt air good for the soul. A moment to remember, we enjoyed our evening of lights.
Sunday rolled in wet and weary. We watched church online, planned our travels for 2025, did laundry and watched Dalgliesh, our new favorite show on Acorn. Lori called around 4:00, just as the rain stopped, so I walked and talked to her for an hour and half.
“Ready to go look at the lights?”
Our last night we saved the best for last, the infamous 12 days of Christmas on Shell Rd., not viewable from the bike path.
Epitome of Christmas in the South to me
Ron grilled burgers for dinner when we returned while I built the fire. After a dreary start, the day ended with a beautiful sunset, festive lights and a glowing fire.
While Ron hooked up the Atlas, the pups nestled in their crate in the backseat, I took pictures of the Spanish Moss, hanging carelessly from the trees in the foggy morning.
At 8:54 a.m. I hit record on my phone and videoed Ron pulling out of G30. With B13 booked for next Christmas, so long Jekyll Island until next year.
Crossing the bridge over Jekyll River, we could barely see the car in front of us, nothing to the left and right in the pea soup like fog.
We arrived just after 1:00 at Mt. P for a visit with the Cooke’s.
After settling into our site, Ron showered then we went shopping, me to Hobby Lobby, him to Harris Teeter. Then we enjoyed a drink at Burton’s while waiting to meet the Cooke’s.
We met Mike and Lynda at Alchemist on Johnny Dodd Blvd. for drinks and apps. Since they had a prior commitment, we went back to the campground afterwards and spent the evening by the fire. The next day we met them for a quick lunch then packed up and headed home.
Until next year!