End of the Summer Beach Bash

There's are pros and cons to going to the beach in September. The biggest pro is that no one else is there. There are no lines at the grocery store, there's no one else on the beach. Everything is kind of romantically deserted. Having said all that, there's a reason it's deserted, and it ain't just the start of the school year. The biggest con to a beach trip in September is hurricanes.

So, long story longer, Hurricane Gustav encouraged us to cancel our trip to Seagrove Beach in Florida and switch to Hilton Head. None of the Lareaus had been to HH, and we enjoyed seeing someplace new. The zoning laws are strict, resulting in a kind of scary sameness about everything. Half of me thought it was great; half of me missed the personality and kitschiness of other beaches. But with Spanish moss covering everything, you can't help but love it.

Before the trip, Mer did some packing of her own. I have to say that, other than the fleece hat, she did a really good job. I know, because later when I was racing around like a moron trying to find her bathing suits, they were all in this bag.

This was the preferred mode of transportation on the island. There's a little Mer in the bike trailer.

The amazing Spanish moss. That stuff could make a strip mall feel magical.

Our kids love their lifejackets. We're not just psychotically paranoid folks.

Oh yeah baby. Shrimp boil and ALL THE KIDS WERE ASLEEP. Best meal of the week.
Sweet kids.

Harassing the alligators. Flying in the face of the law.