Braves Country

The beginning of our week-and-a-half-long vacay started with a trip to Jeremiah's grandparents' house in Holden Beach, NC. We hung out for a couple days, but then had one more stop before relaxing on the beach for a week.

I use the term "stop" lightly, since in fact it was more of a journey. We left early Friday morning and traveled seven hours to Atlanta to see an Atlanta Braves game. Jeremiah's brother, Ben, and his grandparents are huge Braves fan. Although, being Phillies fans, we obviously root against the Braves whenever possible, I suppose it was a nice treat to be able to experience a game with them in honor of Pop Pop's 80th birthday. Much of the extended family, and fellow Braves fans, met us there, tallying the Link clan to 15. Turner Field was a beautiful stadium filled to the brim with southern hospitality. We had great seats, too. The Braves finally pulled off the win after 11 innings, so we put a smile on our faces while inside we were extremely irritated. Adding to that irritation was the fact that that night the Phillies lost to the PIRATES. Ugh.

We bunked in a hotel for the night and left the next morning to drop off his grandparents and then drive another hour and a half to our ultimate destination, Surf City, NC. Needless to say, with Saturday beach traffic and fourth of July weekend, we didn't make it back in seven hours. Try about nine.

Do you see this?? Penn State grill cover on a camera in Atlanta. I had to get a picture.

And I have to add this, particularly for the Koehlers.

On our way to the game on Friday, we had to make a stop for lunch. Instead of stopping at your typical McDonald's or Wendy's, we went here. Although only indicated as "Buffet" on the highway exit sign and "Restaurant" to the general passerby's, the few brave enough to park and eat knew it better as Baynum's. I couldn't believe my eyes. And then, I couldn't believe my current reality was actually walking in, sitting down, and eating there. I won't go into detail, but let's just say, had I not married Jeremiah I never would have experienced this one-of-a-kind eatery.