Prying ourselves away from the beach
We interrupt these kudzu dogs to bring you a sad announcement from the beach: It’s time for Ace and me leave it.
I’ve always had difficulty leaving the beach — any beach. But this one, near Wilmington, N.C., is especially hard to tear myself away from.
The sunsets and moonrises, the refreshing breezes, the soothing sound of the surf are like a chorus singing “Stay, John, stay, this is where you and Ace belong.”
While I have renewed my offer to our hosts, Steve and Louise Coggins, to be their live in gardener, while I’ve again contemplated being an island stowaway, bouncing from one unvacated house to the next, while the beach still beckons, tugs and all but wraps its arms around me, it’s time to go.
But I’m sitting here for a few more minutes in Steve and Louise’s all but empty oceanfront house — they both having gone to work on Monday morning. I’ll just have one more cup of coffee while my camera, computer, and cell phone enjoy the same kind of recharging my stay here has provided me.
Then I’ll go. I promise.
I should also whip out a quick thank you note. That might take a while. Then maybe one more walk on the beach. Then I’ll go. Really.
As I can’t find a pen, this will have to suffice, and maybe they will happen upon it.
Dear Steve and Louise and Earl (that’s their dog, pictured at the bottom of this post),
Thanks so much for inviting Ace and me to spend the weekend — and for all the wonderful food and drink and friendship.
I think I speak for Ace as well when I say there’s no place we more enjoy being — in part because of the scenery, in larger part because of your graciousness.
Sorry that you didn’t feel the time was right for a live-in gardener, but the offer remains.
It was great to see you guys again, and Earl, too. I’ll take him out for a quick walk on the beach as soon as I finish writing this, though that may delay my projected departure by another 30 minutes or so.
As a small token of our esteem, we leave you with a few beachy photographs — measly pictures of the things you see in real life everyday. The far greater and unrepayable gift is the one you bestowed on us by inviting us down.
Love, John and Ace.
Posted by jwoestendiek July 18th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: ace, animals, beach, college, departure, dog, dogs, earl, figure 8 island, friends, leaving the beach, louise coggins, north carolina, ocean, pets, photography, reunion, road trip, shore, steve coggins, travel, travels with ace, vacation, wilmington
Comments
Comment from kathryn
Time July 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Great pix of pelican trio!
Comment from Lee
Time July 21, 2011 at 8:50 am
Great photos!!! Where did you see the turtle? I look every time and have never seen one. So cool!
Comment from Lee
Time July 21, 2011 at 9:04 am
Wait, Louise says that’s Bubba’s turtle but no way!
Comment from jwoestendiek
Time July 21, 2011 at 9:10 am
That turtle was next to a little pond by the Lowe’s store, where I stopped to give Ace a good brushing so he wouldn’t shed too much at Steve & Louise’s house. He was about the size of a small pizza, circumference-wise, and seemed quite fascinated watching Ace get groomed. Ace was equally fascinated, but, given the size of the turtle’s head, and the size of Ace’s nose, which he tends to poke into other people’s business, I didn’t let him get too close.
john/ohmidog!
Comment from Sue
Time July 18, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Gorgeous photos! I can’t decide which I like best. The beach agrees with you.