I had the morning ALLLL planned out.
Get up at 5. Throw on some clothes. Pack up a bag with some large, fluffy beach towels. Grab a cup of heavily sweetened coffee from Speedway. Head to Pawleys Island, southend. Witness the mystical, magical moment where the first few rays of sunlight peak over the horizon and gently stretch over our part of the world.
But, of course, nothing ever goes as you hope.
The annoying trill of our alarms sounded off at 5, 5:07, 5:14, 5:25, and 5:35. Each time, our bedroom became brighter and brighter.
Eventually, I roll out of bed at 5:40, with Sam following a few minutes behind.
Me just pondering my life’s decisions – like waking up so early.
We shuffle out the door with our gear in hand and roll into the deserted Speedway parking lot for some much needed caffeine…only to realize they don’t open now (because of COVID-19) until 6. With the sunrise at 6:09, and our destination a few minutes away, we didn’t have time to wait.
So, at this point, I’m tired, cranky, annoyed, huffy. All worked up and in a hurry.
I’m mentally cursing myself and everyone we pass on the road.
Aka the go-getters. The early birds. The ones able to start their day before the day has even started! And who knew there were so many that got up early to EXERCISE?!
Why don’t I have that kind of motivation???
Well, by the time we park, find a secluded spot on the beach and get settled, it’s exactly 6:09.
I glance excitedly to the thin, almost non-existent line where sky meets water…only to see a hazy horizon, growing lighter and lighter.
THE SUN WAS OBSCURED!
At first, I thought it was clouds blocking my view, but now, I think it was the plume of Saharan dust creeping into our area.
It was disheartening…at first.
However, the longer I sat there, breathing in the salty air, hearing the waves whooshing towards us and crashing and fizzling, bare toes burrowing into the damp sand, my babe by my side, and watching others witness this same serene moment with me, I remembered just how blessed I was!
Just because you don’t see the sun, doesn’t mean it’s not there. It is.
The sun always has a way of popping up though. Eventually.
And when it does, especially in the hushed, cool mornings, when everything is awakening, it’s awe-inspiring.
Afterward, we moseyed over to the Litchfield Restaurant, a place I’ve been dying to go!
Everyone’s always raving about their food and prices, but normally, I’m hardly ever up early enough to go.
Because the longer you wait to go in the morning, the more crowded it gets. So, I figured since I had gotten up at the butt crack of dawn to see the rising of the sun, why not get some breakfast there after?!
I guess you could say we got there pretty early.
Luckily, we got there right as they opened! No line. No wait.
Like so many businesses during the pandemic, Litchfield Restaurant set up a temporary outdoor dining space in their parking lot. With it being a gorgeous day, and not sweltering hot yet, we took our seats outside.
Their menu is HUGE!
They fix and serve all sorts of delicious, traditional, southern staples. To make it easier on myself decision-wise, I stuck with the breakfast menu. Didn’t even peak at what they served up for lunch! Though, they do serve both, every day, until early afternoon.
After much debate, and after asking our waitress what the hot plates were, I settled on the Chicken Fried Chicken and Eggs. A fried chicken breast, topped with pepper gravy and served with eggs cooked to your liking. It also comes with your choice of potatoes or grits AND toast or a biscuit.
The food definitely reminded me of home-cooked breakfasts growing up. People just don’t make it like that anymore.
The fried chicken was juicy inside, the skin crisp on the outside. Even with the spiced gravy ladled on top! The biscuit was a beautiful golden brown color, and it was fluffy just as it should be! The potatoes were cooked perfectly, and my eggs were just like I wanted!
And the coffee was pretty much never-ending! One staff member came by regularly to top off our cups.
Overall, it was just a dynamite (do people even say that still?) experience at the Litchfield Restaurant. When it came to the food AND service.
Scratch that. It was just a fantastic morning ALL AROUND!
Next on my bucket list?
A local farmers market!
