A Pretty Fine Birthday Celebration

We did indeed go to Hank's birthday gathering on St. George Island and it was a perfect beach day. A little bit overcast so that no one was feeling broiled and it wasn't stinking hot and the water was warm but not bathwater warm. It was still refreshing. There were a great many people at the State Park today but it wasn't nearly as crowded as the public beaches at the more western part of the island. It cost five bucks to enter the park but well worth it. 

I didn't really feel that good today. I mean- I'm fine. I just haven't felt good. Tired. Low energy but I knew I wanted to go be with my boy on his birthday. I was bitchy to my husband on our drive over to the coast. I admit it. And he did not deserve it. I wasn't horribly mean but I was way too sensitive and sharp. Because he is such a nice man and knows me so well, he let me get away with it, he was kind. 
Bless him. 

We stopped on the way at a giant gas/convenience store called Rocky's that sells everything from bait and fishing equipment to Burt's Bees products, purses, funky dresses, hats, shoes, subs, fried chicken, and potato logs. 
Never heard of potato logs? Well, they are basically fried potato wedges and quite popular in these parts and sold at all of your finest convenience stores. And the other ones too.
Glen and I got subs and some tortilla chips and salsa. He got live shrimp bait and line for his reel. And then we got back in the car and made our way to the island. 

Almost everyone was meeting up at the picnic table area and eating lunch. It was good to see everyone. Lily and Lauren were there with Owen and Gibson and Magnolia June. Billy and Shayla were there with Waylon who is probably six feet tall now. He was so happy to see Glen! Waylon has always had a special fondness for him. 
"Oh! I have been missing you!" he told Mr. Moon, which is a lot for Waylon and was very meaningful to Glen. I myself have been missing all three of those dear people and it was a joy to see them. And of course, being able to see and hug my boy on his birthday meant everything to me. 

After lunch we all set up on the beach and got in the calm, flat water where we bobbed about and talked and laughed and told stories and said, "Do you remember? Do you remember?" Mr. Moon and Owen took the fishing poles out to the sand bar and threw out some bait but nothing was nibbling. It was all very low key, just a fine, peaceful afternoon. All the while we were there, the sky to the north looked ominous. We could even see rain pouring across the island but as so often with island weather- it comes, it goes, what you see may not affect you in the least, and so it was today. 

When I felt that I had been salt-marinated enough and that I was probably getting more sun than I should have (those overcast days can fool you), we packed up and told everyone good-bye and Owen helped us carry our things to the parking lot; our good strong boy. We loaded the car and drove off through the park. 

That is the bay side of the park which is pretty much undisturbed at this time. There is a primitive camping area but I've never been there. Jessie and Vergil have taken their boys for a weekend or two though. And really, it looks like Dog Island where commerce and development are not a thing. 

Driving back down through the developed part of St. George is both shocking and saddening now. So many houses, so much change. But I've talked about this ad infinitum. Every single time I go back though, it's worse. 

That was what the sky to the east looked like when we drove back over the bridge to the mainland. You could see where the rain was pouring down. We drove through a little of it on our way home. 

And now I really need to fix us some supper. We bought some shrimp in Carrabelle and I'm going to boil some of that, make some cocktail sauce, and heat up tomato pie leftovers. I am tired, probably sunburned, and feeling every second of my age but I am glad we went. There was so much to love. And I got to be with my Hank on his birthday and that is truly what matters. 

Love...Ms. Moon