Leaving Hilton Head

Folly Field Beach

May 15, 2026

It’s been a really good stay. Just a day short of two weeks — enough time to sink into a comfortable routine. Yikes! Two words I’ve been running away from — comfort and routine! I’m going to rationalize that it is ok to experience a “comfortable routine” every now and then.

Lots of sun, lots of First Tee driving range, sunrises and sunsets. Too many Parker’s bacon, egg and cheese croissants. Just the right amount of visits to Hudson’s (four) and self boiled shrimp (six pounds). Fun to drive into Sea Pines — and to sneak onto the putting green at the Plantion Club. Scored half-price Castaway HHI motif shorts which I offset with an HHI Smathers hat (glad I finally visited Knickers men’s store in Harbour Town). (Like I really need another pair of shorts and another hat.)

Walked well over 10,000 steps each day except for the one very cloudy day — I’ll never outgrow it seems how my mood is sensitive to the weather. Haven’t done much floor work (😕) although I have use my dumbbell (sparingly). Drank way too much soda.

I’m a bit apprehensive about my 50th high school reunion tomorrow night. Hard to think about what I was like back then. I think I’ve become a much better person. I didn’t set the world on fire and I’ve stumbled hard sometimes. But I’ve also experienced more than I could ever imagined and made friends with some wonderful people. I’ll show up, be who I am, appreciate the moment.

And then I’m off to Pinehurst for three rounds of golf. I hope I can remember the swing thoughts I’ve been trying to groove. I understand much better what a good golf swing is — but it is hard to break bad habits. I’m blaming those bad habits on my back issues which are hopefully behind me — pun intended.

Then I’m in Charlottesville for ten days before heading to Alaska for 12 days.

Have I already said I’m trying to stay in the moment? It’s hard to do with so much on my dance card. Yet I know if I don’t I’ll get to the end and not have immersed myself in the experiences the way I want to (I almost said “as I should”! — NO SHOULDING!).

Ok. It helped to write this post and get these thoughts out of my mind and down “on paper.” Hilton Head is a special place. I almost feel like I belong here. No doubt the beach is one of my happy places. I guess I can thank my parents for all those summer beach vacations as a kid.