Journey to Jervis Bay

Note to self: go to Jervis Bay if you want some great beaches, white soft sand, good trampolining, easy living and warm weather. Don't go there if you want your college basketball team to advance in the NCAA tournament.

A crew of us and assorted dogs made the 2.5 hour trip to Jervis on the last weekend of long summer days. Before taking the road on Friday night, I was told the correct pronounciation is 'JARvis," even with the E. Sure, why not, can do the pirate voice with that one. The rented house provided all the amenities: cable tv to watch all March Madness we need, yard for the pooches and a walkway out the backyard right to the beach. Even my room, which was seperated from a couple by a glassed door, offered the sound of waves crashing from the window.

After a late arrival and some Lingere Football League on Friday, we got up early enough to go for a morning swim and watch a tough loss by the Buckeyes. Damn you, Tennessee, couldn't even take it to the next game. But the day was saved with a trip to Cave Beach, where we surfed, boogie boarded and cricket-ed to our hearts content. And the water so shallow, waves calm enough, didn't even need to paddle out...the best kind of surfing. These beach experiences, complete with the green/blue water is one of many things I'll miss about these parts.

You know what tastes delicious? Mexican food, prepared by Andy, with a few cold beers. You know what Earth Hour is? 60 minutes where we don't get light or music, 60 looong minutes. You know what's more interesting than regular Scattergories? Filthy, dirty Scattgergories. With this group, the game left emotional scars that we're not likely to recover from. Ryan's attempts at coming up with a match for the letter O was pure genius. Adrian's dirty excuse for missing school was just awesome.

Unfortunately for Ry, the next day we caught his UK Wildcats clanging threes (and free throws) while going down to West Virginia. After that debacle, another swim and beer, we eventually had to confront the dreaded Sunday drive home - it's never welcome, but with Riley in tow, road trips are entertaining.

As for this year's Final Four, it's an enigma, I suppose Duke are the favorites. JAAAARRRrvis has to be one of my favorites in the Aussie adventures.