Lake Days, Dive Bars & Langford Shenanigans
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Lake Days, Dive Bars & Langford Shenanigans
A His & Hers & The Good Life Weekend—told by Nancy Fae
There are friends who visit, and then there are friends who arrive — the kind who bring their own gravitational pull and tilt your whole weekend into a better orbit. Collen and Jodie Langford fall squarely into the second category. They came back to see us this weekend, and as always, they didn’t just show up — they showed out.
If you remember their last-minute trip a month ago (the one where they drove up to buy a truck and somehow turned it into a full‑blown adventure), this visit was the sequel. Except this time, we planned it. Or rather, they planned it. Because when the Langford's come to town, the itinerary writes itself.
These two are closing in on 50 but party like they’re 25—except, to be fair, neither Jeff nor I partied like that when we were 25. They’re the kind of couple who can turn a random Tuesday into a highlight reel: concerts, beaches, breweries, wineries, defense‑industry events, you name it. Their energy is its own renewable resource.
So when we said, “Looking forward to seeing you guys!” in the group chat, Jodie sent back a sweet “Us too!! 🥰” and Collen — ever the agent of chaos — followed with, “You sure? 😆😈”
I couldn’t see his face, but I knew the look. Mischief. Anticipation. Shenanigans loading.
Jeff replied “Yep,” but with the confidence of a man who knows he’s about to be out‑paced by a Floridian with a weekend agenda and zero fear of a hangover.
Friday Night: Porch Drinks & Cigar Therapy
They arrived right on schedule, and we kicked things off on the lake house porch with cigars and drinks — the official Langford Welcome Ceremony.
Cigars smoked: Tabak Café Con Leche and Tatiana Groovy Blue
Vibes: immaculate.
Energy: rising.
Trouble: pending.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Saturday Morning: The Boat Leaves, But I Don’t
The plan was boating. The sun was shining. The water was calling. And my skin said, “Absolutely not.”
I stayed back, and of course Collen razzed me for it, but I stood firm. SPF 1000 solidarity.
Jeff, Collen, and Jodie took off on the boat, cruising the lake and river, admiring the waterfront homes and the kind of nature scenes that make you forget about email and adulting.
At some point they found themselves at The Barge at Lucy’s Branch Marina, tied up, and wandered in for cocktails, appetizers, and marina‑side people‑watching. They chatted with the bartender and even befriended a retired bachelor who lives at the marina and apparently has stories for days.
Drinks consumed:
Rock The BARge – Bacardi Coco, Hypnotiq, pineapple
Lakeside Punch – Bacardi Dragon Berry, lime, cranberry, soda
Sunshine. Rum. New friends. Classic Langford.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Saturday Night: Downtown Florence Takes a Deep Breath
After the boat crew returned and we all cleaned up, Collen — who is not from here but somehow knows Florence better than locals — announced the plan for the night.
Downtown Florence: our little-big Mayberry‑meets‑music‑scene town.
Summer crowd: mostly locals.
Energy: unpredictable.
Perfect.
1. Lava Room
A dim‑lit, trendy, Asian‑fusion, karaoke‑meets‑ramen‑meets‑cocktail bar. Basically: Florence’s answer to “What if Tokyo and Nashville had a baby?”
We met bartenders Brittany and Hunter, both fantastic, but Hunter especially — part hipster, part Nintendo’s Mario, all vibe.
Drinks consumed:
Crime of Passion – tequila, passion fruit, pineapple, Campari
The Sensei – smoked Japanese old fashioned
The Kaki‑Tail – rum, prickly pear, coconut cream, shaved ice
2. Wildwood Tavern
A quirky, irreverent, craft‑beer‑and‑hot‑dog joint with fast service and a personality that could probably run for mayor.
And just when we thought the night couldn’t get better, Hunter walked in on his break. Obviously we took a selfie. Obviously.
Drinks consumed:
Beer
Painkiller – aged rum, pineapple, coconut cream, orange, lime, nutmeg
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
3. On the Rocks
Upbeat, social, music‑forward, and home to specialty burgers and first dates.
Collen made a new friend named Spencer. I made a new hobby: eavesdropping on the adorable first‑date couple next to me. He paid the check. I approved.
Drinks consumed:
Captain Morgan & Coke (tragically watered down)
Gummy Bear – strawberry vodka, peach schnapps, sweet & sour, Starry
4. FloBama
A lively, music‑driven, barbecue‑and‑burgers hotspot.
Hunter had warned us:
First band = older crowd.
Second band = younger crowd.
We definitely walked into the first band. The retirees were getting down, and honestly, respect. But it wasn’t our vibe, so we didn’t stay long.
Spencer showed up (because Collen told him to), and Collen had to break the news that we were leaving. Spencer took it well and followed us to…
5. Back to Lava Room
And then, like a little nightlife blessing from the universe, we spotted Hunter again. Seeing him there felt like running into a friend you didn’t realize you’d made only hours earlier. We were genuinely happy to see him, and he greeted us with that same cool‑kid‑meets‑Mario energy we’d already fallen in love with.
Two bands played that night: First up, heavy metal. Second, southern rock. We stayed, we listened, we vibed, and we people‑watched like it was our sport.
Drinks consumed:
Yuengling Flight
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Saturday Late Night: Porch Cigars, Round Two
Back at the lake house, we wrapped the night with more cigars:
Tabak Negra and Tatiana Cherry
By the end, everyone was fully zonked. The kind of tired that only comes from sunshine, cocktails, laughter, and a night that had no business being that fun.
Sunday Morning: Slow Starts & See‑You‑Laters
No alarms. No urgency. Just four adults moving at the speed of molasses.
Eventually, Collen and Jodie packed up for their drive back to Florida — back to their full summer calendar of concerts, beaches, breweries, and whatever other adventures they’ve already booked.
We promised we’d figure out a trip down to see them next. And we will. Because weekends with the Langford's aren’t just visits; they’re events. They’re memories. They’re the kind of good‑life moments this whole blog is built on.
And as always, we had an absolute blast.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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