Saturday

Traditional group photo on Saturday morning

Hedy/Donnie as Burger/Fries

Thierry fronm Austin with Marco Foyot (France)

Kirk/Khalid had to play Marco/Eric (Sarasota) the first match!

Danny/Sue with Ridah/Frank from Oh La La in Orlando (Sanford)

Earl Lovell sent Marco a collector's knife

Jesse/Dave (Sarasota)

Hodge/Crittendon

The remote courts at Broome & 2nd Street were tough but fun

Best costume winners (?)

Ziggy and Bo

Misty rides the SALTY PELICAN!

Shirley only managed to get a few pictures on Saturday-- we were just too busy playing. We had around 20+ players from the Carolinas, so it was one of our best-attended Petanque America Opens.

Friday

Rusty and Marcia at the classic car dealership

Lots of practice play on Friday. Our friend Mike Owens from Louisiana came over from his daughter's place in Jacksonville and she, Misty, played too. Lunch was at T-Ray's, a Fernandina institution, in an old converted gas station.

Thursday

Michelle Healey from San Antonio

We spent a lot of Thursday exploring at the park. The old fort is worth a few hours if you're interested in historical sites. There's a nice museum and when you proceed to the fort, there's a very knowledgeable "officer" who's happy to answer your questions.

We went down to the harbor where the main courts were in the afternoon. Got in a little play and visited with friends.

Wednesday, November 11

Genevieve (Mom) and Greg

Tacos for all!

We traveled from the camp to the newly constructed courts at Broome and 2nd in downtown Fernandina Beach. The first person we ran into was Greg of the Amelia Island Boules club. We've played against Greg and his partner Jeff several times in the past, but this time we got to meet Greg's Mom, Genevieve. This beautiful lady is in her 90s, but has the spirit and energy of a much younger person. She plays well, and even the coarse gravel didn't deter her.

The evening found us back at the camp. We weren't the only campers from Carolina Petanque. Terry and Sue Wien, Danny and Sue Daniels, and Donnie Baker all had RV's at Fort Clinch. Pictures 

We've arrived!

Our home for the week

Our campsite

Walking down to the Amelia River

Petanque in the parking lot

Shirley at lunch

Fernandina Beach

We arrived at Fort Clinch State Park on Monday evening and set up camp. Over the years, we've stayed at hotels, condos, and beach house rentals. This year, we decided to give camping a try. Shirley and I have camped in travel trailers for many, many years, so we really like the lifestyle.

We spent most of Tuesday around the camp with an excursion for lunch at one of the best local burger places-- Tasty's-- in downtown Fernandina Beach. The campground had a parking area that worked just fine for petanque, so we got in a little practice too.

Sunday before Petanque America Open week

Donnie Baker

Kirk's new toy

Sunday, November 8, 2015, saw us once again at Miller Park in Winston-Salem. The weather was much improved from the previous Sunday. Donnie Baker from Dayton, Ohio, joined us on his way to Amelia. Kirk, Bo, and Parker drove down from Spruce Pine.

Rainy Sunday at Miller Park

Upon arrival

Drainage problems on the new terrain

Bocce court play

It's still autumn

We made the drive to Winston-Salem, though we had little hopes of playing on the first day of November due to the rain. We sat in the truck for a while and watched the rain, but soon Bob, then Rom, showed up. When the rain seemed to stop for a few minutes we decided to see whether the courts were playable. Petanque terrain? No. Bocce courts? Kinda.

So we played on the soft bocce courts and managed to stick it out for most of the afternoon, ignoring the passing showers.