My dear wife, Carrie, and I are in North Carolina for Spring Break. With all that is going on back home again in Indiana, it seems just a bit odd to be here…but I do think we are supposed to be here. That is all I will say about that.
Carrie and I are at our spot along the North Carolina shore. Yesterday we went to church at Faith Harbor United Methodist Church. Rev. Duke Lackey is the pastor and we think the world of him.
A lady at church asked why we come back year after year. We told her we enjoyed the area that much and we never tire of coming down here. After I pondered on the yearbook answer that was given, I realized I should have looked at the lady and said, “You do.” Well, maybe not her in particular. The folks here are folks we can relate to and feel very comfortable with. Last Friday I spoke to an 11th grade English class about a variety of things regarding literature. I told them they are drawn to characters that A. Remind them of themselves and B. Remind them of who they want to be like. That is how it is here for us. Carrie and I were in Chicago last month. We had a good time. We spent three nights and were ready to come home. When we pack up the car on Saturday and make one last sweep around the place we are staying to make sure we have not forgotten anything, we will look around and sigh. This place is not easy to leave.
When we leave and come back it won’t look the same. The way to get here, this barrier island, is over a “swing bridge”. This bridge is two lanes and swings 90 degrees to allow water craft through the sound side of the island. This is quaint…but it is also bad if there is an emergency. If a soul needs 10 minutes of care for their health, that 10 minutes can come and go without the hope of getting down the road to medical care it may need.
I love the old bridge, personally. The grooves in the bridge make a sound as your tires ride over it that is unmistakable. I will miss that. The high rise bridge, there is one on the other end of the island, is to be completed by September 2019.
A view of the bridge as you go over it toward the island.
The bridge moving to allow water craft to pass.
Like this.
Carrie and me toward the ocean side.
Carrie and me with the bridge behind us on the sound side.
Carrie looking for shells this morning.
The sunrise was beautiful this morning.
Of course, Carl is here.
He read all about the Tarheels beating Kentucky yesterday.
And he inspected the shells Carrie brought up from the beach. He approved.
Work on the new bridge.
I hope and pray all is as well as it can be back home in Indiana.
Speaking the rights.
Danny Johnson