Details? Um...er...thinking...tapping my front tooth with a fingernail...details.
Yeah. I can give some details...and a fess up, also.
I almost didn't take the trip.
Honest. Even tho it was paid for by my company...even tho it's one of the funnest (I KNOW NOT A WORD.... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> )places in Texas, I almost opted out and didn't even tell the Wookie about it. Why?
For those of you who haven't been on MB with me since the beginning (right about when dirt was invented, I think), we were living in said va-ca destination when my world as I used to know it went super nova and left me with a black hole in my soul.
That place is the place of my pain. Every time I thought about that place, every memory I have (even the good ones) are (were?) tinged in the color of agony for me.
As we were driving down, the Wookie asked if we wanted to take the quick way or the more scenic way. I couldn't speak by then, I was getting all too familiar flashback feelings...so I grunted something. As we crossed over the harbor bridge, I was white knuckling it...poor Wookie...was holding his hand and white knuckling it. Do you know how many times I crossed that bridge to and from work wondering how I was going to survive this...if the Wookie was ever going to pull his head out of his boohooba?
Since we were a little early for checkin on the island we drove to the town we used to live in....went by the SO where he worked, chatted with old buddies...gas was $1.99/gal there <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Wookie offered to drive by our old house, but I just couldn't at that moment....I mean I almost panicked trying to tell him "not right now hon."
So we drove to the island. Saw lots of dolphins on the ferry ride over (dol-phish my daughter used to call them). Checked in at the condos, then as we were nearly TRANSPARENT with hunger, decided not to wait for anyone else and went to Trout St. for dinner. We were seated inside but with a lovely view of the water and sailboats. It was all kinds of schmaltzy and romantical. In other words, it was perfect. (for those like me who "it's all about the food," if you ever go to Port A and eat at Trout St, the Shrimp Larisha will make your toes curl up to the backs of your knees!).
When we got back to the condos, my friend P had checked in and was URGING us to get our tushies down to the pool. So we did. Everyone was meeting there and it was very nice to finally put faces with voices. The Wookie and I strolled around the pool holding hands (the pool is one of those huge things spanning the length of the condos). We watched the seagulls (sweegulls according to Leo) and we chatted. As it was a byob or swim up to the bar we decided to make a run to the ice house down the way (everything in Texas is down the way, just so you know)....we almost didn't make it back...since the Wookie and I were looking at each other with...um...er...*ahem*...in our eyes. But we did make it back...we just took a little longer than a casual observer would think for a trip down the road (giggle)....and the stars and the sound of the ocean and the good conversation all around was lovely.
The next morning, I all but bounded out of bed....cos everyone knows the best shelling is just after sunup. The Wookie had other ideas about early morning activity, however, so we didn't get many shells...ah...somehow, I'm not THAT disappointed <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. We walked and walked and walked...the sargassum (a very stinky seaweed) was not nearly as bad as it is in the summer months, but that also cuts down on the shells that get tangled up and washed ashore with it. I did find a lot of angel wings (they are very thin and nearly transparent), a baby's ear (small shell that looks like a baby's sweet ear), a purplish oyster shell...and a scallop. Whatever bored thru the scallop shell to get to the critter did it in the exact right spot for this shell to be made into a suncatcher (I make them with shells and glass beads).
We went back to our condo and had our rinse off and then it was off to breakfast. The Taqueria on the island was PACKED so we went to the mainland and ate at Nopalitos. Then we went back to Rockport (where we used to live). This time I let him exit the hwy. and we drove past our crappy little beach house. The house itself used to be the only one on that block, with field surrounding it and a great view of the ocean. It's got a house on either side of it now. The spider lilies I planted are still taking off...and I broke. I sobbed for about 10 minutes. The Wookie just made the appropriate "wooza" noises and held my hand. I finally told him that I am so glad I am not waking up everyday like I used to...wondering how I was going to survive the pain and living with the constant ache...told him this is the eraser. We are making HAPPY coastal memories now...and the other memories will fade like a watercolor painting left out in the rain.
We went shopping for hours after that. Hit the art galleries since we've been looking for a few pieces to hang in our bedroom. Bought us both hats...I'm certain mine will be stolen by my 10 year old any day now. We made our way back to the island and on the ferry ride over I suggested we buy the kids hermit crabs as a surprise. So we bought one for each of the children. One has a skull and crossbones painted on the shell, another has flames (he's our racing crab), and the girl's crabs have flowers.
We went back to our condo for .... um... a nap...yeah...that's it...nap...then it was time for the fajita dinner the managers put on for everyone. One of the geologists brought a presentation of the various caves they've been in this past year and he even had pics of a new species of salamander they found. I know, dull to some, but we're geeky like that - the Wookie and I, so we thought it was way cool.
After the dinner, everyone again gathered by the pool (and the coolers <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ) and the Wookie and I decided to swim. I love swimming...and swimming with the Wookie is my absolute favorite kind of swimming.
I will admit, we didn't stay in/by the pool as long as everyone else did. Our room had a whirlpool tub in it...so after our dip, it was calling us.
The next day was checkout...but not before we went to Hooks for my favorite Cuban pressed sandwich! Their homemade 'tater chips are to die for...and *slurp* also their fried pickles (yes, you read that right, FRIED PICKLES).
I can't believe we stayed awake all the drive home!
As for the update on the chillens, 2 visits to their mom's and Leondra HAS NO LICE! It took a court order by a judge for it...but I am so relieved! 3 years of bugs...I cried the other day out of relief!
- Kimmy
