The Outerbanks

My cousin Chrissy and her husband Jason live in Kill Devil Hills N.C., so when I was out in Wilmington N.C. on business I used the opportunity to go visit her.  Earlier this year they had welcomed daughter number 3 into the world.  She is Reagan  So they have 3 girls Ryanne 15, Elizabeth 9, and Reagan, born in January.  Chrissy and I were really close growing up so it was plesant to see her.  I told her I had made some changes in my life this year so I would look different.  So explained she looked forward to seeing me and I looked forward to seeing her as well.  The drive from Wilmington to Kills Devil Hills took 5 hours which you really dont think it should take that long.  So I ended up there around lunch time.  I arrived at their house around 11:45 and it took Chrissy alittle bit by surprise she said I know you said change but this is a big change.  The girls greated me and I was close to all of them but  I am the god parent to Elizabeth to and honestly she is the best friend anyone could ask for.  When Elizabeth saw me I thought she was going to be hurt but she hugged me the same and sweezedd tight.  She asked me about the dress I let her know.  She was completely ok with it I was releaved. 

Shortley after arrived there it was lunch time so we headed out to lunch.  We went to Dare Devils pizzeria.  We shared a large pizza between the four of us.  Chrissy and I ordered a salad ahead of time.  When the waitress came by I asked the waitress where the restroom was and she replied which one.  Beth spoke out and said the ladies of course.  Beth offered to show me I advised the waitress I was not trying to cause any problems she said no big deal and Beth showed me to the ladies room.  While I was in the bathroom Beth was talking to me through the door.  I was listening and she let me know her concerns about me wearing a dress.  She had two fears.  First I would be her god parent anymore I told her she would always be my little buddy.  Second she thought  I needed I new name as I didnt look like a Joe anymore.  So I asked her to take the lead and come up with some names.  Beth came up with Kaylee and Madison because those were her two best friends.  Ryanne came up with Aubrey and Bayleigh, I came up with Caitlin and Faith, Chrissy came up with Andrea and Julia.  So Beth volunteered she liked her names the best but I told her to ask other people not just herself So we wrote the names down on a piece of paper and for thre rest of the day she would talk up to strangers and ask them what I should be called.  She asked almost 60 people and I promised her that whatever the results were I would be okay with

In the finally tally it was
Kaylee lll (Beth was atleast one)
Gweneth lllll
Bayleigh llll
Aubrey lllllllllllllllll
Caitlin llllllllll
Faith l (My vote)
Andrea lllll
Julia lllllllll

Even though Beth wanted me to be a Kaylee, I hoped Caitlin or Faith would win and Caitlin almost did I ended up Aubrey. 

So when we finally got back to their home after going to the beach.  Beth wanted to make sure I have a girls swimsuit give I brought with me.  Jason was home and Chrissy explained I had made some changes and he thought I lost weight so he was surprised when he saw me he was like Crap I am surrounded by women everyday and when I finally get someone to visit who may like hunting they turn out to like dresses instead.  I promised Jason that it was not exclusive I still very much enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Because because you were dresses and panties doesnt mean you dont like hunting.  He told me about  this deer he took and afterwards we headed to this seafood restaurant Sam and Omies.  The entire time at the restaurant and the rest of my visit Beth kept introducing me as Aubrey  

Skull Creek Boathouse

After swimming I headed over to the Skull Creek Boathouse. As it was close to dinner time so the place was packed I took a number as they stated it would be a 45 minute - 1 hour wait. I asked where a good place to wait was and they advised that down by the channel there is an outdoor bar, so I went down there the company there was kind. However, being there were people already drunk at 6 pm they wanted to take my picture,which I am usually not OK with. While I was at the bar the two female bar tenders asked me what I wanted I ordered a reds apple ale I wished I had ordered one of their mixed drinks are seeing them but a Redds is what I ordered.  Jennifer was one of the bartenders names took my order I asked her if I could order off the menu she said I could and I asked for a recommendation and was recommended the Sevechie. I ordered the tropical sevechie. The two female bartenders were nice and the married couple from Virginia next to me were kind we chatted up alittle bit they live near the beltway and recently bought a house down in Hilton Head and were enjoying it.   While waiting on my food customers came and went but pleasant overall.  One of the locals decided to sit next to me and chat me up wow what he drunk.  We chatted for 45 minutes while I was eating and exchanged random conversations.  He explained he was a fishing captain and took people out on his boat to go fishing.  Tried to get me to go out but because  I did not know him and was only there for 1 day  I declined he swindled me into buying him a beer which was fine because his company was worth the price of the beer. 

Overall though the visit was fun and should I go back I plan on eating again at the skull creek boathouse.

Hilton Head South Carolina

While in Georgia on business a few weeks ago I was fortunate to get to do some sight seeing one of the locations I ended up going was Hilton Head South Carolina.  A place known for their beaches and heat.  It was summer so it was extremely hot so I decided to wear a sundress.  I only brought two with me so I ended up buying another one when I got there it was a short blue one.  It was modest however it still was designed to be knee length so when you are 6 feet tall knee lenth usually means mid thigh.  But like I said it was summer so it was a welcome change.  My first stop was the Staples as I needed to mail a package home and the experience was okay no big deal.  I took a small drive through the area and wanted to take advantage of the beach to do some swimming.  I found a beach that was not as crowded are another beach which really means it was still crowded and went for a swim.  I brought a two piece tankini which thankfully covered well.  Getting to the beach was a little bit of a walk but not to bad.  However upon arriving on the beach I got more than a few stares which I have kind of gotten used to.  The water was slightly warm but refreshing.  I was probably out there for 2 hours and really had a great time.  I chatted some people however most really didnt want to chat with me and after swimming I headed back to change into my dress again as I was getting hungry and it was around 6 pm.  The changing rooms at the beach have always been a sticky subject for me as I am unsure which one to use as either one will draw attention to me but only one will get me arrested so I used the mens changing room.  going in there I first rinsed off i was still wearing my swimsuit so it was understandable why I got more than a few looks.  However, I minded my business and they minded theirs for the most part. 

Not a bad experience

A Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains

While in Georgia for work I wanted to take a few extra days and go sight seeing.  I had heard about the Blue Ridge Mountains and decided to take a drive up from Gaiseville through the blue ridge mountains up towards the North Carolina Border and the Chatahoochie River.  The trip did not disappoint  since I knew that is where I was going I decided to stay in Cornelia GA sunday night.  It was a very lovely Hampton Inn and Suites and the front desk person as nice. 

I got up Monday morning, Iwas avised it was going to be hot so I decided to wear a sundress it was full length to perhaps not be so freaking hot and headed over to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is beautiful up there are while there was not a diverse group of people.  People are people so I ran into to the spectrum of all the different people. 

I stopped in the Bavarian town called Helen and had breakfast it was delightful.  After tht I headed over to Spring Mountain which is the head of the Appalachian Trail at Spring Mountain.  I learned that while I was there.   The hiking trail is well definted but they falsely lead you to believe how far it is.  I changed out of my sandles and put tennis shoes on for the walk.  When you start they tell you, you are only 600 steps away when you make it the 600 steps there is a sign that says congrats half way there.  You dont want to give up you just went 600 steps so you finish.  The sight was beautiful. 

After leaving Springer Mountain I headed over to Ellijay.  It is amazing there, they have an orchard that grows its own peaches, apples, strawberrys.  While I was there I decided to try an Apple donut it did not disappoint.  The cashier I could tell was uncomfortable but the food wass still delicous.  In addition I tried Muscadine Grape freezy made with Muscadine Grapes and ice.  It was delicous.  I also tried their Apple Cide, Peach Cidar, and Strawberry Cidar.,  I mailed Apple and Strawberry home. 

After my trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains I needed to head to Atlanta I had a conference to prepare for and a Braves game to catch.  

Haunted Ghost Trail

While in Atlanta I happened to take a few extra days and go to Savannah what a marvelous city right in history and a great place overall.  I had dressed up to go to dinner but because it was so darn hot I ended up changing into a sundress.  As was walking through downtown Savannah I happened to see a young lady named Jackie I was making small talk when I dark dressed young man explained that all who are onthe Ghost tour go with him she let me know her friend couldnt make it even thought she had paid for her and asked if I wanted her spot.  I agreed,  so on with the tour I went.  I wasnt wearing the right shoes so my feet were aching however the tour was great met alot of great people in this tour group.  In the group also were a group of Aussie students these students were on break from school and they were slightly drunk so when the guide talked about haunted stuff if really bother the drunkest of the two.  However,  I was getting a kick out of all those drunk people of a haunted tour. 

We stopped at a pub for a few minutes had I had a Angry Orchard to go which is legal in Savannah, and way we went.  The tour was awesome what a great group of people.  After the tour Jackie wanted to go see this German Rock band play I went along and stayed a few minutes however,   I couldnt understand the music and thanked her and left.

Overall a fun experience

Rude Clerks even in the South

While in Atlanta i happened to go by a Catherines in Atlanta, I was going to buy a new sundress when I went in it was easy to tell the clerk wished  I had went elsewhere and she tried her best to not help me I would ask her about a dress and she was like that is all we have.  I found a dress I liked and I asked to try it on she responded by telling me they dont let men try on dresses in their store I explained there was no sense in buying it if I didnt know if it was going to fit.  She explained I still wasnt going to try it on.  So I put the dress back and left.

I went to a Dress Barn right down the street the clerk was nice and helped me pick out a nice dress the ones I liked she thought didnt look good on me and the ones I thought were so so looked good on me.  Subsequently I found a few and that experience was a very positive one.

However, I found even the South has really rude people.

Braves Game in a Dress

While in Atlanta I got to catch 2 Braves Games the first one on a Monday night.  After my meeting I went back to my hotel room changed and headed over to the game.  I wore a sundress and flip flops and a ball cap.  The game was great most of the crowd was friendly but did not know how to act towards me and I think the rudest was the two ladies sitting in front of me the were exceptionally snarky and rude.  I believe they were lesbians as they were making out occasionally so I was taken aback but the fact that here at two people who have been picked on for their lifestyle make fun of others.  What a tangled web we weave.

The game was close but the Braves lost.  The staff was professional but there was alot of maam sir mix ups that I let roll of my back occasionally I would correct them but overall I would let it pass.  However they have a club house store for womens fan gear so I went shopping in there and the clerk was overal not really nice I asked about what sizes she had stuff in it was always if it aint out we dont have it.  Overall the game experience was wonderful