Melody is STILL visiting Days 4 & 5

I know what you're thinking, how long, exactly, was Melody in the Southeast? Not long enough, is the answer.

On Sunday we woke up, wandered down to grab our coffees, then headed back to the beach to gather some sand for the Clark Kiddos and say good-bye to the ocean. On our way back to Birmingham, we stopped at a little spot I'm familiar with to take some pictures, which turned out to be the only pictures I took on this day.

The ride home was much like the ride there, not a dull moment, no lapses in conversation, just a continuous stream of stories, opinions, issues, it was amazing. In fact, the entire weekend was like one long continuous conversation between two (and sometimes three and four - Dirk & Granddaddy got to converse with Melody, too) Happy Hearts.

Sunday night was spent munching on sushi, and sitting on the couch, drinking wine and continuing the conversation.

On Monday, Melody's last day, we woke up and had breakfast with Granddaddy. I was so excited that Mel got to meet him, and he equally enjoyed chatting up a cute blonde over brunch.

Then we headed out to explore more of Birmingham and take some more photos. I took Mel to Sloss Furnaces, which is a mecca of texture, rust, angles, all those things I love to photograph.

Then I took Mel to a viaduct heading between Southside and Downtown, for some photos of the skyline.

Followed by margaritas and dips at Cantina, and then a tearful farewell at the airport. I still can't believe it happened, her visit, and I still can't believe it's over. It was like a wonderful dream I didn't want to wake up from.

So, bloggers, when are we all going to hit the beach together? Mel and I know the perfect spot...

Melody Visits - Day 2.5 & 3

After meandering along Scenic Hwy 30-A, and taking a wrong turn and performing a couple of u-ies, we arrived in Rosemary Beach, where we checked in to our cottage and unloaded the Toyota.

We located the nearest boardwalk, and began our three minute walk to the beach (snapping pictures of EVERYTHING and ANYTHING along the way, of course.)

Here is the first sighting of what would become "our" beach for the next 48 hours:

And then the sun started setting. It was glorious.

We drank wine, then ate dinner, then ended the evening with a three-hour conversation before heading off to bed. It was perfect.

The next morning we woke up, I attempted to run, which was difficult. I had taken five days off the previous week to recover from a bout of stomach illness, and I guess I didn't realize just how different the air was going to be at the beach. I struggled through a 25 minute run, then felt like my face was a giant red balloon that was about to pop. Thank goodness for the local coffee shop giving me the fuel I needed to recover!

We walked around downtown Rosemary Beach, ooh'ing and aah'ing at the architecture, the design, basically everything. I felt like we were in a different country on a different continent.

Boardwalks run in-between all the houses and connect you to anywhere you need to go in the town.

Downtown has tons of fun shops, restaurants, candy stores, etc.

Not to mention little nooks like this one we discovered in a courtyard near the post office.

We decided to hit the beach, with some munchies, our books, and our constant camera companions.

We made friends with a bunch of seabirds, thanks to Snap Pea Crisps and Pirate's Booty.

This guy was a major bully. He'd squawk and chase all the cute little sandpipers and other birds away from our blankets. He wanted those tasty organic treats to himself. It was like witnessing a real life sea gull soap opera.

We took a short beach break to eat some lunch and drink some beers. We also did a little shopping, then headed back to the beach to take a nice long walk. I love the beach this time of year. There was hardly anybody there. For the most part, we had the entire beach to ourselves, only passing the occasional beach walker every now and then.

There was an infestation of little aquamarine jellyfish during our stay. I am simultaneously fascinated by and terrified of jellyfish. Scared to get stung, but in awe of the different colors, textures, and how in the heck are they living creatures?!

I am fascinated by this raised pavilion out in the middle of nowhere, no houses around, no boardwalk leading to it from the beach. It's so very dreamy and magical.

We also stumbled upon this guy.

Right before Mel gets splashed:

And after:

We collected lots of shells for Aspen and Lil.

And we watched the weather change and change and change again.

Our dinner the previous night had been pretty casual, so we decided to treat ourselves to some fanciness on our last night at the beach. But first we had to take some pictures on the beach. Brooke and I are always laughing about how in photos of the two of us, she always towers over me, her arm wrapped protectively over my shoulder, like I'm her little trophy or something. I loved these photos that Mel and I took because, for once, I get to be the one holding on to a little trophy :)

Our meal began with champagne and tuna tartare (yummmmmmm.) Our main courses consisted of bunches of fresh seafood (think grouper, crab-stuffed gulf shrimp, and lobster risotto.) It was one of the most delicious and memorable meals of my life. I will never forget it.

Thus ends our third day of adventures, never fear, there are still two more days worth of pictures and stories to share!