Day 2-Virginia Beach

Saturday July 1, 2017

Exploring Va Beach with Otis/Dinner with Greg

 I was glad that Otis was wanting to show us around. We awoke early on Saturday with an intent to take GT fishing down by the docks and inlets near the end of the boardwalk.  As I awoke at 0700, via Otis text, we headed down to the spots.  We were able see a lot of the beach, with Otis being our designated tour guide. A stop for pictures on the beach happened for me before I caught up with them.  They worked the rocks an the inlet, but to no avail.  There were no fish to be had today.  Otis likes the thrill of competition, so I was sure to mention that GT won this trip due to the fact that he kept all his lures. Otis lost two of his.  Victory was had, I guess. All this and back before 10AM.  

I had a plan to hit thrift shops with Jen in the area to look for fun cheap things.  My fun cheap things of late just happen to be vintage cameras/ film cameras, 35mm and 120mm. It's been a passion of mine since I started developing my own black and white film. As Jen, Avery and I set out to hit the thrift stores, I heard an audible sound everytime I hit the brakes, a rub, then a clank. I KNEW I should have the rear drums checked at Vannoy's before leaving.  I was able to change out the front discs on Ivanka a few months earlier, but drums are a much different story.  Our thrifting cut short, we headed back to Otis and Emilys to try and find a business that wasn't closed on a Saturday to get the repair done.  After multiple searches, we were only able to find a Midas shop. I was able to get the old drums turned, and some new pads put on the van, but held the line when they wanted to put new drums on.  I'll have to do that by myself for a MUCH  lesser amount when I get home. Out came the credit card.  The one we hadn't used an about two years.  Guess this was an emergency, but I hate getting fleeced by dealers, when I know I can fix something.  We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out a local pizza brewery eatery, the 1408 brewpub.   

Had a pint, then took Avery and GT to VA beach boardwalk, using Otis and Emily's vehicle as we waited for the fixes to occur on the minivan. 

Avery likes to shop. Garrett likes to bitch about Avery shopping. We checked out the boardwalk, and walked the beach for about a mile and checked out the Atlantic.  It was hot by the time our car was ready and we headed back to pick it up. While waiting in the Midas store for about an hour while they finished up, Jen drove GT back to Otis' house and I was able to have a little fun daddy/daughter time in the waiting area. It was good for bonding at least, as little as we see each other, so I call it a win. 

About an hour later we were able to meet up with Greg, who bought us dinner at Olive Garden. It was great catching up with him too, and good for Avery to See Kayli, our neighbor's kiddo who was visiting her dad for the month of July.  We talked about all sorts of things, which I wont mention here, but it was great to catch up in general. By the time we got back we were stuffed, in full carb pre-coma, and just hung out for about an hour  before heading off to bed.