Today we took advantage of the almost 80 degree weather and decided to go on a bike ride to meet our friends for football watching at Hucapoos.

Our bikes are in constant need of tune ups and repair. Living three doors from the ocean the salt air doesn’t have the same effect on bicycles as it does us. Only a few months from being exposed to the air, rust begins to cover any unpainted surface from handlebars to fenders.

My chain will creak and screech with each rotation of the pedal. It always reminds me of my friend Peter Nevland’s spoken word poetry piece about his tricycle he named Skrickawocka… Start around the 3:20 mark.

Sean gave our bikes a quick tune up, filling tires with air and lubing the chains with Wd 40 and liquid wrench.

Sean, Ava and I set out down 14th street, crossing the street light at Butler and turning right onto 2nd Ave. Second avenue is the bike path that runs the length of the island. Mumford and Sons and the Lumineers belted tunes from my new Bluetooth speaker propped up in my pink basket.

We breezed through the neighborhood passing pastel  houses, bright cottages and beach bungalows decorated for Christmas. Squirrels darted back and forth across the street as if it were springtime.

The bike path meanders through Memorial park, between the YMCA and the Tybee Fire station and passes the old black wrought iron gated cemetery before connecting to 2nd street again.

Soon we were at the next light to cross back over highway 80 again. We took the gravel road about two blocks till we were back on the  paved stretch that led us behind the lighthouse, along side the police station and through  River’s End Campground. The campground cuts through a neighborhood of large beach houses. Snowbird tourists  were spotted lounging next to their mega RVs throughout the campground as they have begun their winter migration to the warm south.

Golden sunshine continued to filter through the trees and warm my bare arms and legs as my flip flop adorned feet pushed my squeaky pedals until we arrived to our favorite north end Sunday sanctuary, Hucapoos.

We parked our bikes outside of Hucapoos  at neighboring coffee shop, Tybean. I could hear music and cheers coming from The Poo. Outside on the deck, tables under colorful umbrellas were filled with holiday tourists waiting to feast on the famous pizza and guzzle ice cold beers. Kids were lined up waiting their turn to play the ring toss game.

Inside, we found our crew gathered at the end of the local’s side of the bar. Watching the Panthers vs Falcons game on three of the flat panel TVs mounted in each corner around the bar.

Across the room on the worn out bachelor’s pad sofa came cheers from fans rooting for another game that was playing on the giant TV in front of them.

Happiness bounced off the walls as the late afternoon sun continued to sprinkle through the Spanish moss hanging from the trees and into the windows filling the space with lingering memories of summer.

Winky and Austin danced in synchronized steps across the bar, immediately placing refreshments in our hands.

Ava found her friends right away and then bounced into the kitchen to see G, Eric and Matt, asking if her brother was working the day shift.

Sitting between two Erin’s, we got caught up on everyone’s holiday week, who did what and where with who. We talked about how we were too lazy to go to the beach today, but that we may have to make that happen tomorrow. Agreeing that 80 degrees is definitely perfect temperature for Christmas week. We made loose plans for the days ahead, knowing plenty fun will be packed in with new year’s eve quickly approaching and that our friend “Smoot” will be arriving in from Atlanta soon!

Heather came and asked if our Ava  could go swimming with her Ava, after a unison ‘of course’ from Sean and I,  they jumped into the minivan off to find their swim suits.

An hour or so later we were getting hungry from all of our physical activity. Sean ordered a slice of Miko Miko, a Hawaiian inspired pizza with ham and pineapple. I strayed from my usual Honky slice (spinach, red onions and black olives) and opted for the chili served in a bread bowl. While the Erins and Carolyn pulled apart cheesy nachos and continued to have hope to the very end that the Panthers would remain undefeated. The game ended moments later and a heavy sigh of disappointment was uttered.

Sean, who had been checking the scores from his phone on his beloved Lions game was able to change one of the TVs to his game for the last few minutes of the last quarter which ended in a rare victory for them.

With the games over, it was now four o’clock, time for a shift change. Several patrons left to finish out their Sunday afternoons at home. Everyone was settling up their tabs and  more familiar faces came in for the evening crew. The wooden drawer of the antique register  continued to collect the day’s funds and more green bills were stuffed in the green plastic incredible hulk tip jug.  It was like a fine tuned piece of machinery, watching each perform their scheduled task of replacing the beers on ice in the coolers and checking the hand written tallys in dollar store notebook. The only computer to be found is the little box to swipe an occasional credit card.

Paxton and Vinnie greeted us as they took charge of the bar.

I popped into the kitchen to steal a flour covered hug from Bryce and say hi to Brett.

Chris and Mike began serving the new crowd on the deck. Italia was supervising as she was perched at the end of the bar. Her eyes never leaving Chris as she constantly scans the deck. Carolyn took her home for a pajama party to snuggle with her just as Susan used to do. What a sweet gentle soul and Gift.

After greeting the evening crew we decided it was time for us to start our three mile pedal back to the south end. Perfect timing as Heather pulled up with Ava in the parking lot.

We went home the same way we came, but it was a different experience in the dark. The sweet nostalgic smell of roasting marshmallows filled the air as we passed through the campground.

Our bicycle lights kept us glowing so we would be seen from other vehicle drivers. The air was now a tad cooler and the humidity chilled any exposed skin. I think it was high tide because even though we were two blocks from the ocean, there was a constant roar in the distance of the waves majestically crashing on the other side of the dunes.

Instead of the warm sun casting my shadow in front of me, a full moon was beaming through the trees and between houses as we traveled south bound.

Before I knew it we had completed the three mile spin as we turned on to 14th street and locked our bikes   at ground level behind our van.

It seemed so much later than it was. Even though it was only 6 o’clock, I was ready to turn in for the night for my much needed introvert recharge time. Jammies, a book, and my pillow were the only tools required to complete this perfect last Sunday of the year!