End of vacation

 Sunday, February 11

We had another slow start to the morning. Eventually, we left for a Sunday drive. A large flock of buffleheads, one common merganser, a could of Bonaparte's gulls, and some shorebirds poked around the oyster beds in Russel Burgess.

Birds in Russel Burgess

We went up to Lewis Ocean Bays Heritage Preserve, an area of sandy soil dotted with pothole swamps. I could see the circles on the Google satellite pictures, but the road didn’t go close enough to see much of the wetlands. I wonder why. We did see a little swamp by the road.

Swamp

Most fascinating to me were the long-leaf pines. The preserve had been reforested recently, and there were many young trees

Long-leaf pines

As well as some seedlings and saplings, which were so cool! They looked just like bottle brushes.

Long-leaf pine bottle brush

After that we went to Waccamaw Nation Wildlife Refuge. Google said is was closed on Sunday. It turned out that it wasn’t just the nature Center. The road had a gate across it. Oh well.

Back to town for my last stop at Saltwater Scoops. It was such a lovely afternoon that we sat at this outdoor picnic table. Also, there were two old couples (which is to say our age) camped out in the small dining area inside.

Jan and Jane head to the car after eating ice cream at the picnic table

Being outside, I noticed this magnificent live oak in the parking lot. I was glad someone had the presence of mind to save it instead of cutting it down and paving it over.

A magnificent live oak in the parking lot

Monday, February 12

It was the day before I had to leave, which meant laundry and packing for me. The day passed. We researched nice restaurants for my last supper and decided on the Parson’s Table. The restaurant was in a beautiful old church with a collection of stained-glass windows, some original and some added in the renovation.

Happy Hour and Early Bird Specials were restrictive—4:00 to 5:00 for the former and 4:00 to 4:30 for the later. Woe unto you if you get your prime rib order in at 4:31! We got there at 4:00, ordered cocktails and prime rib, and sat back to enjoy and excellent meal.

Prime rib, green beans, roasted fingerling potatoes with garlic and rosemary

They even had grasshoppers (the drink, not the insect) for dessert!

I flew home the next day, and that’s my vacation. Jan and Jane stayed until the end of the month and got home last Friday. Now back to our regular lives.