Virginia Beach Part Two - Jetskis, Backflips and Burgers

I have secretly been looking forward to this day since I started the trip: The day I get to ride the four-stroke (very powerful) jetski. Not only did I get to do that, but I got to cook a full meal for Kirk's extended family.

We went to the beach, located just a few blocks away from the beachhouse (go figure), and got some good swimming in. I must mention that a very surreal feeling washed over me as I stepped into the Atlantic for the first time since starting the trip. Having been in the Pacific about 10 days prior, I was a bit moved by the fact that I had waded into both American oceans within such a short period of time. It made the distance seem very real.

(Oh, by the way, did I mention that there's an air force base in town, and there are F-22s doing flybys all day? Well here's proof, in triplicate.)

(I need to hang out on more streets like this one.)

(If yesterday's picture didn't remind me of a Corona commercial, this one did.)

We returned home, showered up, and then headed to the lakehouse residence of Kirk's aunt Margie. Margie has two daughters, Jennifer and Rachel, along with an incredibly down-t0-earth husband, Dr. Mike.

When we arrived at the house, we had to take a dip in the pool, a few jumps on the trampoline, and a quick tour around the property. 

(Rachel shows off the backflip on the trampoline.)

(Kirk's patented "backflip". Rachel is way better.)

(One of the many English Setters scampering around the property.)

(Happy dogs.)

(Kirk and Ryan, raftmasters extraordinaire.)

(Jennifer with Tigger, the new kitten.)

(Catching just a bit of air, and looking as awkward as possible while doing it.)

(I figured this massive TV would be the biggest one I'd see all day...)

(...Until I saw the movie room.)

(Marine vessels galore.)

But then it was time to get down to business: JETSKIING.

(WATCH THIS VIDEO. I befriended some wakeboarders while out on the lake. This guy was GOOD. I even had to shorten the video because it was too big to upload, so here's the best of the best. Backflip after backflip.)

There was only one functional jetski, and due to tidal constraints, there was only a 30-minute jetskiing window. Since I was the only one who hadn't logged serious jet-ski time over the past 20+ years, I got the privilege of taking the thing out for an extended spin. I recorded several awesome pictures and videos (skip to the second video if you're in a hurry):

(Ryan critiques my form as I pull away from the dock.)

(Heading off to the bay.)

(Does this lifejacket make me look fat?)

(The view from the Jetski.)

(Here's the view at full-speed, complete with a solid "Yee-Haw".)

(This is what zero to sixty looks like on a four-stroke jetski.)

(Here's a wider shot at a zero to sixty run, so that you can get a sense of the perspective against the water.)

(Here's a 360 degree view of the lake while moving at a solid pace.)

(Here's me narrating the ride, sounding like an ass, but at least I'm happy.)

Post-jetski, I met Kirk's aunt and offered to cook the food she brought home. She graciously accepted, and the rest is history:

(Skyy & Fresca, a drink of champions.)

(Burgers, pre-flame.)

(Potatoes, pre-flame, post-dill.)

(Dr. Mike arrives home.)

(Not much real estate on the grill. The vegetables are in the foil.)

(Margie with Dr. Mike, who has a handful of hand-picked tomatoes from his garden.)

(The vegetables are unveiled.)

(Inside-and-Out Cheeseburgers, Grilled Vegetables, Grilled Potatoes with Balsamic Chive & Scallion Blue Cheese Sauce.)

(Margie insisted on taking responsibility for dessert. I didn't complain.)

(Jennifer and her boyfriend Phil.)

(Post dinner, kicking the feet up with the fam.)

I'm waking up at 4:30 in the morning tomorrow, driving the boys to the Airport, and then heading off to Charlottesville, Virginia to see the University of Virginia campus. Following that, I'll be picking my buddy Jeremy up at work at his job in Washington, D.C., and then cooking at a small dinner party at his house with some friends. 

Very excited.