The last night at the beach

is always odd, a time of mixed feelings, of increased appreciation of this place and of sad realization that it's time to return to the real world.  It's also a period of change.  Some folks have already left, while others, including me, hang on until the morning mandatory departure.  We return the house to its original state, in the process undoing all the little customizations that play key roles in our traditions.  We skip the late second movie due to the early morning wake-up time.  We load cars and empty cupboards.  We make ready to leave this lovely part of the world.

Beach life is fleeting life.