“Everything is going to be fine in the end.
If it’s not fine it’s not the end.”  Oscar Wilde

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4.0 Part 4.1

Sunday morning 5:15am came too soon. Saturday had been a magnificent day well spent and today would be our last at the beach. We got ready and headed down to the church that was hosting the sunrise service. Naturally, I wore some of my best heels for this special day. Some things will never change. Now, the plan was to take them off when we actually got the beach so I wasn’t going to actually try to wear them on the sand. That would just be silly.

It was. SO. COLD. But, the kind of cold that’s exhilarating. We found a place on the edge of the shore where we could see the sunrise behind the cross structure they had erected for the service. It was truly breathtaking. I will never forget it. How amazing we are free to sing on the beach about our Savior’s grace and love. We are free to worship and we take it for granted every day. We are indebted to those who have served and those that have given their lives for us to be allowed to have these spectacular moments of unabandoned worship.

 

The message really hit home, too. We are part of Jesus. We are part of the resurrection and we have responsibilities. We are supposed to be set apart and different. It was a good reminder to something we too often sweep under the rug. I was glad the pastor spoke on something so relevant on one of the most important days relating to our Christian faith.

Of course, I would have to have a mishap. The tide kept creeping closer and closer and I must have had to save my heels from near drowning at least 5 times. Don’t worry, babies… Momma’s got you.

After the service ended, E and I hung around to get some actual sunrise pictures together!

 

We got back to the condo, packed everything up and headed out. We had planned beforehand to stop over in Savannah for a couple of hours. E has never been and was eager to see a little bit before we headed home.

We hit Forsyth Park and had brunch at The Sentient Bean  (highly recommend – they have a generous and delicious menu full of vegetarian friendly options that are aaaaamazing.)

We walked through the park and I had a little rendezvous with some spanish moss. One of my favorite things about the deep south is the spanish moss. The way the trees line the streets and the branches come over the road and create this dreamy, draping canopy is one of my favorite views. It’s romantic and so southern. While I don’t sit around thinking about wedding plans too often I do think spanish moss, cotton blossoms and peonies would be really dreamy for a bouquet.

After brunch, we drove over to the River Street area. We got some ice cream and watched candy makers at River Street Sweets making pralines and taffy. We saw a cargo ship and waved to some people on the top of it that looked like ants. Our time was winding down and every moment stretched a little longer… It had been everything I had hoped.

 

Of course… this is not the end of the story. We left Savannah and about an hour out of town E’s all-too-familiar nonchalant voice says:

“Oh gosh. Your bike.”

“What about my bike?” I shot up from my resting position and looked in my side mirror.

“It’s falling off the car.”

“What!” Sure enough, one side was about 5″ from the pavement. “Stop! Stop the car!”

“I’m trying!”

We skidded over the rumble strips but it seemed like the longest stop ever. “Stop the car, my bike is gonna fall off!”

“I’m trying!”

So, here we are… on the side of the freakin’ interstate trying to get my bike back up on the rack and secured.

“We need to get off the road. We’re going to get hit by a car.” I am literally about to pee my pants. All I can envision is a car coming over and killing us both.

We got the bike back on the rack and pulled off into a weigh station to re-bungee cord the bikes. I am now an expert at using bungee cords. Need something bungee corded? I’m your gal. Need something duct taped? I’m your gal. Bungee cord and duct tape together? You got it… I’m your gal. I know how to use ropes and use them well. Okay, that sounds like an advertisement for something else. Bottom line… I can work some stretchy cords and tape.

About halfway through the trip, I took over piloting our speedy red Jetta. I did mention it was speedy, right? We’re cruising on, making good time to get the rental back, jamming out to some tunes (the radio needs more diversity. I swear if I hear ONE MORE song from 50 Shades of Grey, I am going to go postal), when E suddenly says:

“Patty, how fast are you going?” She is rubbernecking to look at the speedometer.

“Uh.”

I honestly didn’t know. Look, when you are used to driving a 17 year old tank that does not have a Start/Stop button and doesn’t beep at you when you don’t put your seatbelt on and actually has to have a KEY to open the door the chances are you are not going to realize you’re going 100MPH when it only seems like 75-80.

I also have a problem with speeding. I admit it. I like to drive fast. I like fast cars and I cannot lie. There, I said it. Sue me!

“You’re going 100 miles an hour! Patty! Oh my gosh. I knew I could see the 90 mark from over here but I couldn’t even see the red line!”

Nobody was injured. Live and let live.

We finally arrived back to Chattanooga with about 20 minutes to spare, enabling us to unload the car and bikes. It was at the point in time I was stung by an unknown flying inspect I can only assume was a bee or wasp since half of its booty was still stuck in my hand.

And, as always, E was prepared and removed the stringer with a pair of tweezers. Someone get this girl a job leading the Girl Scouts. Seriously.

This concludes our beach weekend… I have come back thankful, rested, rejuvenated, excited, hopeful, and peaceful. I am 1/3 of the way through 30 and it has been one crazy ride so far. Here’s to the next 3 months!

until next time… xoxo, patty lauren