That was the theme of the weekend. I left after school yesterday to head to Myrtle Beach for the final sessions of the Teaching American History in SC class that I started last summer. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was lots of fun (we had some very informative sessions), I won two door prizes (a primary source reader on World War I and the hardback "Reflections of SC"), got goodies (a copy of "Shagging in the Carolinas", a set of primary source documents for World War I, SC playing cards and a CD with all of the elementary lessons on it), heard some great speakers (one on "harmony and disharmony, southern influence in music" and one on "shagging in the Carolinas") and relaxed.
I arrived in Myrtle Beach after one call to Ron (that resulted in a U-turn to get on I-95) and lots of iPod music! The theme of going was Corey Smith's "Carolina" and "Every Dawg" ---- both of which never fail to make me smile. Ron called right as I was heading off of 501 and the person in the car in front of me was taking my picture?!?! Crazy!! I decided to just follow Ocean Blvd. down to Springmaid, where we were staying because I really wanted to see the ocean. I LOVE the ocean.
Once I checked into my room I headed off to our opening session for dinner and speaker. Afterwards, I experienced one of my most enjoyable evenings in a long time. Guess what I did??? Nothing!! I called Ron to say goodnight as I got back to the room (and gave him a little scare until I assured him I was on the third floor....I had propped open the balcony door to hear the ocean) and then, instead of turning on the TV or my iPod, I let the ocean be my music while I read. I finished "Rich in Love" to the tune of crashing waves and the occasional laughter of the church youth group playing games on the beach. It was so wonderful. When I went to bed (I closed the door!) I slept like a baby...I only woke up a few times, and each time I could still hear the ocean. First thing this morning, I headed out to the balcony to watch the earliest sunlight before starting the day. It is absolutely amazing how relaxing it is without a TV, computer or radio/iPod. Maybe I need to try it more often! It was definitely harmony!
After gathering everything up and loading my car, I walked out to the Springmaid pier (which I will post about seperately), bought a few things for the boys, had breakfast and spent the rest of the day in sessions before heading home.
It was hard to leave the beach. Like I said, I LOVE the beach. But, I was glad to get back home to Ron, the boys and Maggie. And, in case you were wondering, I put my iPod in right before Conway and took in off once, as I was getting on I-20 Ron called. I came home with some Aerosmith, some Guns 'N Roses, some Johnny Cash, but fitting with the weekend's lecture on southern music, it was Marshall Tucker and "Can't You See?" that drove me the last bit home.
When I got up this morning I went for a walk on the Springmaid Beach Pier and it was beautiful. I love the sea air on the pier. I love the fisherman. I love the birds. I love the way the waves lap up against the beams. I love that it is wooden. I love the fact the wood is worn and gray from salt and water and people. And, that was, this morning, my revelation. It is comforting that piers are made of wood. It shows that we still have faith in nature to build a structure out over the ocean from wood instead of concrete. 
