On our final morning, I wandered alone among the oak trees and thought about what this vacation gave us: space to breathe, time to reconnect, new friends, and rich memories.
The kids collected a small scrap of oak bark and leaves to press into their notebooks. The grandparents complimented how restful and social the stay had been. The dog — worn out in the best way — slept heavily.
Over breakfast, I asked each of them: What’s your favorite memory? The unanimous answer: “The shade walks under the oaks,” “roasting shrimp at camp,” “meeting neighbors,” “the dog park.”
We packed slowly, said heartfelt goodbyes, and by the time we pulled out, I was already planning a return visit.