Chris and Joan, Doc and Shirley, Packo and Deb

[Packo]

Even with hurricane threatening the Low Country, (Packonews update, Hurricane Jeane will probably go west of us...Yeah!), Chris, Joan, Doc, and Shirl, made it out of nosebleed country to the land of Shrimp and Grits!

They arrived at the Clairion Ft Apache at 4:30 p.m. after a downhill ride from Tennessee. Unfortunately Doc and Shirley could not get into their room due to a faulty key and it took them about an hour to convince the management that they were not total idiots and that the key, not Doc, was actually defective. (Well, more defective than Doc.) Figuring, (well assuming), that they would be meeting us around 5-5:30, Deb and I hit the bar at the "Shem Creek Bar and Grill" to tune up for their arrival, or Jeane's, which ever came first. About 10 till 6 I got a bit worried and called to find out they were still about "20" minutes away from arrival. I gave implicit directions to the tavern, (for those that know Doc, you'll know I gave the directions to Shirl), went back into the bar, and awaited their arrival. KNOWING that they would be right there we asked to be seated since they had been holding our table since 5:00. About 6:45 I get a call from lead navigator, Doc, asking if we were anywhere near the Isle of Palms. I told him that yes, about 20-30 minutes....by plane. OOOPs, Doc says, "I think we missed a turn". Well, they had, and I did my best to direct them back. At 7:05 my phone rings again and Doc, full of pride, says...."We are at the Aircraft Carrier, The Yorktown!" Great, I said, but what the hell are you doing there????? I then stayed on the phone with them until I actually saw them pull into the parking lot. This was my mistake from the begining......I should have left bread crumbs from the hotel.

By this time Deb and I we're feelin' quite healthy and had a great time with the Donner Party the rest of the evening. Chris tried the Dirty Shrimp and Grits, a Low Country must, and all had She Crab Soup. Chris and Joan also had Mint Julips and we have not seen them since.

Deb and I had to leave the party early for we had a drive back to Beaufort and some possible hurricane prep to do today, so we left them in good hands.

It's always a pleasure to see Doc and Shirley, and what a bonus to finally get to see Chris and Joan. Marvelous, wonderful people and we had a blast. Will call them later to see how they're doin'.

This has been a Packonews Update. (All rights Reserved, 2004, PN Productions, Ltd.)

TO GIMPY, STEVE, TINA....we all had a drink for ya'll last night, hang in there and anything you need. Prayers out!

Packo