Day 10

"Wake me up before you go go..." and so we went to the lake that was known as Tennessee River in the tune of WHAM! (Remember them, huh?) It was the first completely beautiful day for a while. Rains were gone and the sun was out at full force. We pointed the Demon Deacon caravan (coincidentally everyone over the age of 6 had graduated from Wake Forest University at some point) to Andrew's parents' gorgeous house where Grammy-Huck had a warm welcome for us. The boat had been waxed and the "special" brownies baked the night before. Andrew went to get the boat (see picture) while we lathered the sunblock on and hit the waves. Man, that felt great! Wind caressing your hair and the sun toasting your skin. Oops, a bit too poetic if you consider my full locks of hair flapping in the wind. You get the point.
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Lunch was organized in Hucks' special place. So special indeed that I forgot to even check the name of the restaurant. Few hungry kids and adults will do that to you. Regardless, it was a very nice place on a tall hill overlooking the lake and marina. The patio included a perfect little fence as a bonus for our 2-3 year-olds to climb up and try to break their necks. The brick-oven pizza that some of us had was so good that we actually smuggled few leftover pieces across state lines to Georgia and Alabama later in the day. Also, the Grammy-Huck's special brownies shared the same fate and were quietly consumed in great secrecy in the hotel that same night (why hasn't anybody thought of the idea of combining solid chocolate inside the brownies before? Brilliant!!). Do I hear the Biggest Loser, anyone? On the way back from the restaurant, vice-admiral Wilmer got to be at the helm.
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The five-hour drive to Alabama went surprisingly quick after only one wrong turn at Beals Chapel Rd. (The biological compasses where still jumping the waves.) People drove on average only about 20 mph over the speed limit. We drove past the KIA Motors US assembly plant and it was about a mile long. They probably make lots of cars or perhaps long cars... At one point, Wilmer summed up the last few days quite well from the back seat: "Wilmer had a great time. He had very much fun with Turrrrnerrr and Ellekate. Wilmer liked the elephants." We did too.