all good things must come to an end......but do they really have too?

Tonight is our last night in North Carolina.  We've been in the mountains, the city and at the shore, and enjoyed all the changes in scenery.  For the last 5 days we've been at Sunset Beach.  We had a great condo that serviced us well, all 12 of us; minutes from the beach.  It took many trips and lots of hands to get all the groceries, luggage and beach ware up three flights of stairs but we managed it and were ready, within minutes, to head to the ocean.  How soon you forget how salty the water is, how big the waves are and how strong the undercurrent is.  Today was our last day at the shore.  It was overcast but still warm and the waves were the biggest we'd seen in all 5 days.  It didn't take long to realize these waves were nothing to joke with.  We wouldn't even let Victoria in the water.  After several near drownings (I'm joking but it sure seemed like it), twisted knees and a twisted back we decided it was time to head back to the city.  Sadly I relented while everyone else was elated; sunburned, full of sand and wet, we drove the 1.5 hours to our son's home.  Once the van and car were unloaded Emily and I made our way to the car wash/vacuums.  We reloaded the van, everyone showered and crashed.  The rest was much needed.  You just don't realize how draining the sun, sand and surf is. . . . .but we still had a wonderful time.