The Last

(My goodness what an educational time in blogging this is for me. I'm back at Jumpin' Java in order to write to you dear readers. I got it all ready, hit post, it didn't work, realized I wasn't connected any longer, connected, hit post and hadn't hit save again. AAAGGGGHHHH! Please know that you are loved. smile.)

Today is the last day of our vacation. And because I looked forward to this time so intensely for so very long, it would be easy to become a bit melancholy about it being the last. Actually, there are several "lasts" today.

We took our last leisurely, sunrise stroll on the beach this morning. We enjoy searching for sand dollars and other unique shells. We will enjoy our last meal of fresh seafood at Ella's (late lunch now since I have to retype this. Smile.) Oh and there were a couple of great "lasts" from yesterday that I wanted to share with you.

Last night, Frank and I indulged ourselves with a lovely date night which included dinner at "The Parson's Table" in Little River. (Great name for a preacher's date spot, don't you think?) Not only is this restaurant known for it's amazing food, it also provides ambiance and history all in one fell swoop.

The main dining area is actually the original building of the local Methodist church which was founded in the late 1800's. There are several spectacular stained glass windows adorning the restaurant with beauty from floor to ceiling. Several chandeliers grace the rooms which were once hanging in various churches from the area and the heavy wooden doors at the front are over 150 years old.

The Parson's Table has ingeniously put to use things that some thought had come to their last point of service. Great idea!

The drive back to our place took us past the last swing bridge on the east coast that is still in operation. And because we are on vacation and not in a rush, we took time to drive over the tired, worn wooden bridge which will soon be replaced by the mammoth structure of steal and concrete rising in the darkness beside it.

We waited patiently for the bridge operator to begin the "Nine o'clock Show". The bridge connects the mainland to the island called Sunset Beach and spans the intra-coastal waterway. It opens every hour on the hour to accommodate boating traffic. Last night's show only took about eight minutes as there was only one boat waiting. That was most likely our last opportunity to enjoy the slow process as next time we come the old bridge will be gone and everyone will be singing the praises of the new, improved bridge. Sigh.

Yep, I could get a little sad. But I must also remember that today is a day of beginnings too. Today is the beginning of July - a favorite with me as it is my birthday month. And today marks the beginning of our time back in our favorite spot on earth. It's true that we don't start driving until tomorrow but my dear husband is already there in his mind. Thinking about the week-end celebration, planning the remainder of the year, refreshed and rarin' to go! Smile.

This isn't unusual. It's actually an occupational hazard when you love what you do and the people you serve.

I thought I'd leave you with some of the delightful names of the beach houses we've been seeing. "Time Aweigh", "Sea Duction", "Isle Sea You", "Conch Out", and a personal favorite - "Summer Home; Summer Not". Aren't those great?! Frank and I decided that should we ever have a beach house it would have to be named - "Hawley Day Inn". LOL!!!