Blue umbrellas on the beach in perfect alignment distinguishes Hilton Head from other resorts. These last two days have blended together as we quickly settled into a new routine without the packing and unpacking of the previous days on this journey. We decided to extend our trip for another day, choosing to stay a night in St. Augustine, breaking up the long 7-hour drive home into two shorter segments when we leave in a few more days. Highway traffic has been heavy, so there’s no reason to push ourselves getting back. After all, we’re retired. 

Running has been a chore with the congestion in my lungs but I’ve at least completed the 3.1 mile trail both mornings since our arrival. It’s a familiar route that I ran 7-years ago when my wife’s niece got married on the island. We stayed at the Westin next door and went to the the same restaurant, Frankie Bones, where we celebrated the occasion as a family one night. We pulled out of our beach bag the same can coolers that we got as a wedding favor honoring Bobby and Emily. We’re off to Wiseguys tonight for dinner to spend more Marriott bucks, part of the resort credit that we bought with the points to stay here. 

We went to Publix for stamps yesterday afternoon so I could finally mail the birthday card that I meant to personally deliver in Indianapolis. We also stopped at Jiffy Lube to get the oil changed in my son’s Chevrolet Traverse that we “borrowed” for a trip I originally thought would be 3,000 miles. It will turn it to be closer to 4,000 with our detour into Illinois to visit friends. Admittedly, I will be glad to get my own vehicle back, as this truck is difficult for me to maneuver in travel but has been great for hauling our stuff. He’ll be equally glad for the room that he is sacrificing by using our cars. His kids are now back in school but apparently not yet here in Hilton Head, as families continue to enjoy the last week of summer freedom here in South Carolina with the beaches heavily packed.