Saturday, June 8, 2019

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Tonight's picture was taken on May 30, 2008. It was Mattie's last day of kindergarten. In a way, I have book ends of kindergarten photos. As I snapped a photo (practically in the same location of our deck) on the first day of school and repeated the process on the last day of school. I frankly thought I would have many more years of photographs capturing the first and last days of school. However, about a month after this photo was taken, Mattie was diagnosed with cancer. 







Quote of the day: The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

We were on the road at 10am, leaving from Raleigh, NC and headed to Kiawah Island, SC. It was another 5+ hour car trip today. However, I love going from North Carolina to South Carolina, because there are these kitchy signs for 70 miles. Literally the fellow who thought these signs up years ago was brilliant. It keeps passengers busy looking for signs and reading them. Mattie would have absolutely LOVED this. I could just picture him and me looking for these signs while Peter was driving. 

I snapped 28 photos today of ads along the side of the road. I only posted a few here tonight. But know that these signs go on for 70 miles and at the end of the signage you will find yourself at "South of the Border." Which is a little theme park, filled with trinket shops, restaurants, arcades, water parks, and literally something for every member of the family.

 Pedro is the mascot for "South of the Border" and therefore he is on every sign!

I haven't been inside the Reptile Lagoon at "South of the Border," but if Mattie were in tow, it would have been a must see. 

Peter's favorite sign!

At the end of all the road signs, you have arrived at South of the Border. You can't miss this attraction on interstate 95 south. 

We stopped and took a selfie! 

This is what we drove through! At times torrential rain. But I-95 south is only two lanes and NOT at all like I-95 north. Which is congested and very stressful driving. 

Get the picture!? Very wet and very humid. 

By the time we drove onto Kiawah Island, the sun started to come out and we were greeted by a mama deer and her baby! 

Since we did not have lunch today, so went for an early dinner. This is the Turtle Point Golf Course. Inside the club house are lovely restaurants. Restaurants on the island are just for residents and renters. Making this is a very private and special experience. 

Our dinner view. Overlooking the golf course, watching birds and several deer. 

A beautiful dinner companion. 

Our condo, right on the beach. 

After dinner, we walked on the beach. Peter snapped pelicans flying over my head. The Atlantic Ocean down here is warm, maybe like 75 degrees!

The sand is finely packed on Kiawah Island, making it very easy to walk on and bicycle ride. 

Peter made it into the water tonight. Typically on our first day here we are too tired to do much. But today we ventured down to the beach. We met a very lovely couple from Atlanta. They wanted to know if it was our first time here. We said no! They then said, "well then you know how special it is here, making you want to return every year."

I am not sure how I would describe Kiawah Island. Yes it is an island, but it is about 40 miles away from Charleston, which is a quaint and historic city. The Island itself is beautiful, pristine, very natural, and well appointed. It is like visiting a planned golf community (in fact the PGA Championship in 2021 will be held on Kiawah Island), in that the public can't get on this island. You are only given access if you are a property owner or renter. Which makes it unspoiled, very clean, never congested, and peaceful. Coming from DC, it is noteworthy not to hear sirens, see graffiti, no homelessness, no rats and NO traffic.