I know we've got some stuff on the other thread, but thought I'd start a new one for the final reports. First I'd like to thank Ralph for offering a chance to run around on the property he manages to see where hogs live. 8) We did see where they live and root... just didn't see them in person. Ralph... don't even feel one bit bad about that. Not the first time we've gone looking for something to shoot, and had it elude us. It sure won't be the last. What can I say... Ralph is a great guy and if any of you get a chance to wander down his way you need to stop by and say hi. Also get him to bring his wife along, Ginger is a lot of fun too! It was great to see Stu and Mike again. It's crazy to think I hadn't seen them in person since 2001 at the Notre Dame/A&M game in South Bend. Terrific guys, and thanks to Stu for having us over to his place on Sunday. No comment on Kesley... he's still a punk. :wink: I have some pictures but right now my storage location isn't working. As soon as I get that straightened out, I'll post them here. Hopefully the others will post theirs as well... Well crud... right now I have to link. Let me know if you guys can see this... https://secure.shoeboxapp.com/photo/5753d2950dc8a3d12be063ffb1593bdc1c24d2a387969dd0b0502f1fcaf1c06c02
My family had a great time as well, and we were all sad to have to leave yesterday. Ralph: Thanks TONS for taking the time out of your busy schedule to show us around the farm. I wish the kid would have had time to come up and see it since I'm sure he would have had a blast. You truly live a dream. And tell Ginger thank you for letting us steal you for the weekend. We are richer for having met you guys in person, and not just for the delicious fruit! Stu: You were a great host that the kid gushed over. Your place is awesome and next time we're down, you'll have to be careful about offering a bed because you probably would get taken up on it. The view was fantastic. Your choices of dining/drinking institutions were spot on. gip: It was great fun to see you again, and thank you very much for sharing my beer! Ralph shared a glass of the Blue Moon pitcher. Travis tried a bit out of one of the two Oktoberfest pitchers. If it weren't for my good drinking buddy, gipper, I would have had to drink the three pitchers myself instead of only half of each. Cheers! Scott: To paraphrase Rimmer
Pictured in the front is my kid. He knocked down a 1/2 pound burger, an apple sauce, two packages of oyster crackers (one stolen from Ralph). Then, when the host asked if anyone wanted dessert, he piped up "I want dessert!". He then proceeded to demolishing a giant apple for dessert. To the left of him is my bride Mickie. Behind her are Scott and his bride Tonya. Scott's work buddy Travis is behind him. To the right is me. Behind me is Ralph and his bride Ginger. Then Stu is behind them. I texted a few more photos to Doc T. Maybe he'll be able to throw them up?
Then Saturday night where rumor has it that Kes and Gipper drank enough beer another semi had to be called in to keep the sports bar going...Like I said it's a rumor but then again Houston could lose to Navy at times....Just saying...
Hogs were plentiful....Just not at the time the guy promising them told his amigos they would be.... But the ribs at the restaurant were excellent.....Stu you do realize that you jinxed us....
I cannot begin to explain the quality time my wife and I had with everyone, it was outstanding. From Gipper who I had the pleasure of watching the waitress tormenting him as he asked for a beer for the sixth time to Stu who is as gracious a host as there ever was it was so fun. I will apologize once again to Scott, Kesley and Travis who endured anal cavity searches while carrying their guns across the country only to be bounced around an orange grove and made to walk in the swamps. The simple answer is I really don't have any hogs I just wanted to meet you guys and couldn't think of a better way to get you over here as I'm too cheap to fly to Texas... There I feel better... If you don't know it yet all of these guys from Skybox and their families made an incredible impression on this farmer and his wife that will remain... My one request is that we reach out and try to do this more often...
I'm up for it....... Maybe Dave and Bill will join us along with the others.... I'm wearing a Cane shirt though....
HAHA Ralph, the joke's on you! That was my plan all along! 8) Truly... the hog hunt was a bit of an excuse to make the trip. When we started getting nibbles that it could be a Skybox gathering... that made it worth the trek. We actually did go out and look for the hogs... I have proof. They saw Kes from a mile away... so it's no wonder we didn't get near them. :wink: Travis and Ralph weren't worried... we figured we'd use Kesley to flush them out. :lol:
I am so sorry that I missed out on all this. At the same time, I am glad you all got to meet up and had a wonderful time. We really should try to do more regular skybox activities. No one would ever know it walking by our daily goings on here, but we are a great group of guys with wonderful families. ps I am counting Cindy as one of the guys because she could kick all of our ass
I wish I could think of clever remarks, but I can't...just wanna say that I had a great time meeting all you wonderful folks and it was an outstanding get together. We definitely should do it more often. It was kind of improvised at times, what with the last minute texting of where and when we'd meet. I was wondering if we'd pull it off, but damn!...it sure fell together all three days.
Like Corey and others, I'm sorry I couldn't be there, but I hope to join the group at future get-togethers. Thanks all for the photos and comments on what was a great Skybox gathering.
Save the date if any of you can get down to Florida next fall. Ralph, Kes, and I are in for UF/A&M weekend next year. Can't give an exact date til the SEC finalizes the sched...