Bathing Beauty






Sometimes it is hard to be at Hilton Head, now as a parent. What was once the ultimate in relaxation and peace is a lot of squealing and sunscreen, confusion and chaos. I still can't help but pack a pile of books and can only manage to get through a few--clinging to this idea of our time at Hilton Head and what it once was. What in the world did I do with the whole day to myself to run and read and plan meals and drink cocktails and lounge on the porch, in the hammock, and on beach chairs.... oh and sleeping in.... well, you get the picture. I have finally given up--only recently--even attempting to bring even a magazine to the beach. Reality bites... in a way.

At the same time the Hilton Head we once loved and knew is gone forever, we have learned that Sea Pine is perfect for inhabitants with short attention spans: there are a myriad of 20 minute bike ride destinations; excursion opportunities like Harbor Town, Salty Dog (with cocktails), or petting zoo for easy, free ambling; the outstanding children's museum for rainy mornings and pool fun once the beach gets old; and does the beach ever get old? There it is just right down the stairs and a few steps away for sand castles, surfing, shell walks, and splashing around--brand new every season with new sealife and new every hour with changing tides. It is easy to make daily discoveries of turtles and gators, birds at the bird feeder and on the banks of the lagoon--it is easy to take the time to notice here.

And then one day, the Belzers came over and their girls introduced Elsie to the idea of making a "crab apartment" for sand crabs. David found himself able to sit in a chair on the beach--IN A CHAIR ON THE BEACH--FOR HOURS.... FOR HOURS. So, perhaps one day, we'll be able to marry our relaxing Hilton Head of old with the renewed Hilton Head of our girls.