“Rainy Night in Georgia; Such a Rainy Night in Georgia”
But it’s NOT raining in OUR world – a world that celebrates friendship and shared experiences and laughter. We were 12 this year of 2023 and gathered in St Simons Island, Georgia, the week of November 13‐17. The house we rented was a 5k square foot modern affair with glass on most walls looking out to the St. Simons Sound. From the interior, it looked like a cruise ship afloat in stormy seas.
Accommodations on this cruise ship were challenging, but it seems like the rooms and roommates are always a computational nightmare. Whatever house we have, there are the lovely state rooms; and then there are the rooms in the lower deck. This time Dixie and Faye shared the bunk room in the lower deck, which was not half bad until the rain made the gutter sound like a popcorn machine according to Faye. Gladys was also in the lower deck with a room to herself but no windows. She likes to be a floater and make nighttime visits to all but return to her own little space. On one such excursion she led an exercise/stretching routine in the plush master suite. This spurred Barbara to show us some Tai Chi. Kathy and Barbara shared a state room; and Betty, Tina, and Charlotte shared the other with sweet Charlotte on a blowup. Margie and Beverly shared a twin room with Louise close by in a queen room. Louise thought she should wear a crown because of it! That bed/bath area had appointment times for their shower – too funny! Suzanne professed that her room was the best room ever. She had the couch in a never used living area and she could spread out her stuff at will.
Of course, any good cruise ship would have wonderful food. And we did! Kathy brought a delicious white chili, homemade salsa, and coconut lemon bars. She is a most generous person. Dixie and Beverly brought lots of wine. One night we did take out bar b que after a busy day. The highlight was perhaps Louise and Charlotte’s fabulous low country boil! Afterwards we exchanged little gifts. It looked like Christmas: thong goody bags, sand dollar, LSU coaster, honey, shower steamers, bracelets, tie dye towels, painted zipper bags, and perhaps the most poignant from Barbara – gemstones in purple, gold, and tiger eye with a meaningful poem.
And there were off boat excursions too Dressed in rain gear with hair flying, we stuck to our pre‐arranged plans. The first day was a golf cart tour of the historic area of Jekyll Island complete with a house tour of one of the “cottages”. Afterwards we visited the Jekyll Island Club from that period as well as the little church with the Tiffany glass. Lunch was nearby at the Wharf restaurant on the intracoastal, and we were all tempted by GA seafood and local fare like shrimp and grits. Before long we were boarding a pontoon boat to take us on the high seas to see dolphins. And boy did we see dolphins‐ engaged in various shall we say activities. A few of us sought out Driftwood Beach after the boat ride. Though the beach was disappointing, we found a shady lane that was worth the detour..
Wednesday was another excursion – a trolley tour of St Simons Island. Every part of the island is lovely, and all of it draped in oaks and moss. Shopping followed at the Pier Village. Tina and Louise purchased lovely scarves and beautiful decorative towels from an import store.
Thursday we truly did get rained out. We were able however to get out for short periods for a walk in our gorgeous neighborhood and a quick walk on the beach at low tide. The shoppers – Margie, Louise, Suzanne, Kathy – found a fancy boutique and entertained us with show and tell later. And Thursday night was our dinner out at Halyard’s. We dressed up (underneath rain coats) and had a lovely night. Thursday night was topped off with the great ice cream extravaganza. Many thanks, Gladys for making us all fatter and happier.
Like all good cruise ships, there were medical “experts” aboard. Faye arrived with a badly inflamed eye. Betty had just had a similar incident which was cellulitis. Faye fortunately sought medical attention, was put on meds, and reports are that she is better.
Our time together was priceless. It was wonderful to reconnect, to set sail on an adventure of fun and folly. And so a blessing:
“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. The rains fall soft upon your fields.” Irish blessing.
~ Betty
