Ponderings In The Field of Grace

We got to do something fun this weekend, a surprise beach trip! Well sort of.  We had been planning on a daytrip to Garden City and Surfside Beach for a couple of weeks, but The Knight decided we needed a little extra time. So he booked a room at Compass Cove for us in a Pinnacle Deluxe Balcony Suite.

Positives:
It was a good size for our family of six. The beds were all comfortable. There was plenty of room for everyone. There are plenty of pools to choose from, and my kids had a great time in them. The beach in front of the hotel appeared to be a good size, however, I didn’t really get to see it at high tide to say for sure. The staff was very nice, and helpful.

Negatives:
I had forgotten how crowded it gets in season. (We usually go in spring or September.) Parking was a nightmare. It seemed like it was going to be impossible for us to a parking space on the side of the road where the hotel was, however, we were finally able to find one. Also the wait on the elevators when we checked in was horrible. The lobby was extremely backed up, and it took ten minutes to get an elevator. I think it was just the “check-in crunch” though because the rest of the time the wait was short.

Overall impression:

We would stay here again. I would have to rank it in my top 2 of hotels we’ve stayed at in MB. It was very clean.

Before we checked into the hotel we drove down to Garden City Realty and checked out the beach house we are renting in September. Even though they were extremely busy, Gary was more than helpful with turning in my reservation paperwork and getting a key so we could look at the house. I have to say this is the second time we have rented from Garden City, and both times they have been extremely patient answering questions and allowing us to look at properties.

After returning the key it was time to check in at Compass Cove and hit the beach. We sat on the beach, watched the kids for a while, then cleaned up and headed out for dinner at Damon’s oceanfront. Dinner for the six of us was right at $60 with tip. Once we finished eating the kids wanted to go to Broadway so we walked around there for a while. We were disappointed to see they’ve ended the free rides on the Miss Broadway. It was always something the kids looked forward to.

We were all getting a little tired and needed a sugar rush, so after a mandatory visit to Krispy Kreme (2 doz. doughnuts) and TCBY (Chocolate/vanilla waffle cone for The Knight), we settled back into the room. But of course the lazy river  started calling our children’s names. The kids had a blast playing in the pool, and we finished off the night with a family walk on the beach.

Sunday morning was check out. Everything went pretty smooth. After check out we had a family vote on where to eat for breakfast. No surprise- Plantation Pancake House in Surfside. As the kids fussed when I tried to suggest somewhere else- “But it’s tradition for us to eat there on our last day!”  Honestly, I’m glad they wanted to go, the food was as good as always. The total came to around $50 with tip. (That was three adult and three kids plates.)

Once we were finished with breakfast we drove by the beach house in Surfside and down by Garden City Pier one last time. Everyone was still pretty tired so instead of hanging around we decided to head on back home. I have to say none of us really wanted to leave. I have a feeling another weekend trip may not be too far off.

I can’t seem to put books down lately. It all really started with the Twilight books. I read them all three or four times. Then I moved on to the “Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare. I have to say I enjoyed it for the most part, but a little too dark for me. I think the demons and the gay warlock were the two things that made it too much. Though I have to admit the warlock was a hoot at times. Overall it was a very exciting story with plenty of action and suspense mixed with some romance.

Now I’ve moved on to the “Study” series by Maria V. Snyder. I think this is my favorite so far. I’ve already finished Poison Study and Magic Study. The Knight is bringing home the final book in the series, Fire Study, tonight. I can’t wait to read it. I like the independence of the main character, Yelena. She is very strong while at the same time, not scared to admit her weaknesses to those closest to her. I’ve re-read the first two books while I’ve been waiting to get the third. I hope it is as good. I’ll let you know soon.