A trip to the east coast usually means family time and having two brothers in law that have access to getting sand between their toes relatively easily and this makes the trip even sweeter. Beth’s brother and his family live in Wilmington, NC while Miki’s brother and his wife live in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Separated by three and a half hours, give or take, it’s a twofer anytime we are in the Carolinas.
The inspiration for this trip is a wedding, but before the nuptials, a visit to the eastern (or is it southern) Bauer clan is on the itinerary. A few days to catch up on life, a boat ride, and some pet love made our visit complete in Wilmington. But reading between the lines, there was good food, some Aunt Beth time with her niece and nephew, and sibling time with her brother and sister in law.
 |
| Beth's brother and family sharing their playground with us. |
 |
| You might remember Nay Nay (short for Chanel) from a previous visit. How could you forget that face? |
 |
| Enjoying her moment of zen before bedtime. |
 |
| A new pet joins Nay Nay under the Bauer roof. This is what I interpreted as a turtle yawn |
 |
| Boats here are stacked like cars in NYC! |
 |
| I love the Live Oaks here and their Spanish Moss accents. |
 |
| An after dinner treat tops off our Wilmington visit. |
After parting ways, a morning car ride south got us to the wedding venue of one of my four niece’s. The “Grace” part of the title above. Grace is marrying Kevin, whom she met while attending school at Clemson University. Since all of my nieces are special, this makes this a special wedding. I am so lucky to be a part of their lives and watch as they make their way in the world. I smile from a distance as they experience cool and cringe as life presents them challenges. Needless to say this event makes me smile.
 |
| I became reacquainted with frolicking! (not fro licking, but as in frolic) Jumping over the waves, diving into them, and letting them roll me in shallow water... ...sooo fun! |
 |
| Beach time was prime time. Wave watching was mesmerizing. |
 |
| Father-daughter dance. |
 |
| I'm a lucky Uncle to these three!!! (Ignore the jacket gaping open malfunction) |
A bonus of this trip is the location we will be staying…THE BEACH. And three blocks away is the wedding venue itself, so while in Rome… (we went to the beach…a lot!)
My Lessons from the Beach
1. A little bit of water has a little bit of power. A little more water has a little more power. (Get where I’m going with this?) A wall of water picks me up and has it’s way with me!
2. Gulls that come to beg for food are not nearly as appealing as ones that fly away with the twitch of a finger.
3. Who ever first said, “It’s the little things in life…,” must have been watching the little birds on the beach that prefer to walk rapidly rather than fly and who have long sharp beaks that dart in and out of the sand getting what looks like nothing for their trouble. But they do it over and over again, so they must be getting some little things that make them happy.
4. The grit I feel in my teeth is not left over from last nights clam chowder, but wind blown sand caught in my smile from watching kids at the beach.
5. The distaste and nastiness from seawater finding it’s way into my mouth, while jumping in the waves, is as strong with the first taste as it is with the last.
6. The waves and their variations are as interesting to watch as the variations of people on the beach.
7. Nothing gets your attention, while wave jumping in waste deep water, than feeling something rub against your shin…twice!
8. One (actually 3) of the wishes I have for everyone who has not, is to wear yourself out wave jumping in waist deep water, feel the sand disappear from under your feet as each wave rolls in and out where you stand, and sit on the beach listening to the waves, while resting from the other two.
As I prepare to post this short blurb of a blog, we are preparing the house we have stayed in for the last few days to be vacated. Checking rooms, repacking suitcases, and already looking forward to the sand between our toes that awaits us on our next visit. All’s well that ends well and the visiting Heyne clan seems to have all returned safely to homes in Florida, Arkansas, Missouri, and Israel. Way to go Team Heyne! Until next time.
My Zen from the Road: To Grace and Kevin…As you begin down this path together, know that you are not the first and won’t be the last to experience the highs and lows of this fluid relationship thing called marriage. Share those highs and lows with those that came before you and those that will come after, so that in the long run there are more highs than lows. You are supported and loved…use as needed!
