Ah, the water was so much prettier today. Not exactly clear as gin but without silt and I could see the Menhaden silver-flitting under the water when I waded in. Later on, seagulls and pelicans also found them, or their cousins, and dove and darted and had their supper.
The temperature has been unbelievably perfect. Cool-ish but not too chilly to get in the water. Of course things always become closest to perfection on the last day of a trip, don't they?
We've had a very sweet and easy day. Breakfast at the Mexican, lunch at the local raw bar. We sat outside there and two women came in to eat at the table in front of us whom I could have watched all day. I do not know if they were sisters or partners. Possibly friends, but I don't think so. Too much ease and familiarity between them although "ease" is not a word I would actually use to describe either one. Both older, dyed red hair although different shades, both with backs so straight it is impossible not to think they have had surgeries to insert steel rods in their backs. When they sat down, they put a zip lock of bread on the table and they ordered hamburgers but they were to be served on the bread they'd brought, grilled. Mustard seemed important.
No mayonnaise.
For whatever reason, people's behavior and appearances fascinate me and of course I try to figure out everyone's stories from whatever tiny sparks of clues are given off. As Yoko Ono said and as I so often quote, "Everyone has a story to tell." And oh, how I love a good story.
Our upstairs neighbors here at the little cottages where we are staying were there for lunch too. We finally spoke today, at least the lady and I did. She is PISSED OFF about the construction going on across the street and we discussed that this morning. We agreed that the owner needed to update his VRBO listing yesterfuckingday. She did not use that word. She appears to be far more lady-like than I am.
"We would not have stayed here if we'd known about this," she said, indicating with a wave of her hand the men working up in the air, the compressor screaming to power the nail guns that were going off with staccato briskness.
"Yeah. Me either, probably," I said.
A few hours later I saw her again and she told me that she'd complained to the owner. "Lodged a complaint" I think she said.
"What'd he say?" I asked.
"Oh, that there's construction all over the island."
This is sort of true and sort of not true but the honest truth is that the owner/host is being dishonest in presenting his cottages as having a peaceful and unrestricted view of the beach. I'm not all torn up about it because I live two hours away and can come back anytime but this lady only has one week a year to come to the beach and she had not foreseen that she'd be twenty yards away from a construction site.
Her husband knows TO THE DOT what time the crew begins work and what time they stop. I think he may be a bit upset too.
Having said all of that, I do have to admit that it hasn't upset me too much but dang- my temporary neighbor is right- the owner is not being honest and I already knew that from what I described as a kerfluffle when we were trying to check in.
Life goes on.
So we drove around the island today, looking at houses. Lord, how things have changed since I first started coming here. There was a different bridge then- a toll bridge!- and the houses were funky, few, and far-between. Now there are mini-mansions everywhere and all I can think of is how many crazy rich people there are in America. And you can define crazy rich both ways.
We did see a place down on the bay side with what must be at least two acres of fantastical, whimsical gardening and art work. I mean- whoa! And the house was not shabby. And there's one house on the gulf that I've been watching for years that instead of the usual four-palm-trees-and-some-oleanders landscaping, there's an entire jungle embracing it! And it's a tiny lot. A beautiful, what appears to be a Zen-influenced house wrapped in the green arms of trees and vines, wild and yet contained at the same time. As I said, I've been observing the house and tiny jungle for years and the love and work and patience and time that's gone in it is an inspiration to my heart and soul.
I would take that house.
If they gave it to me.
So it's been a fine day. A loving day. A laughing day. Once again I am knocked to my knees with the sweetness of long-time love. There is nothing like it in the whole world in my experience.
didn't you and Mr. Moon have a lot that he was planning to build a house on in Appalachicola? I seem to remember something about that. Glad you had a lovely time.
ReplyDeleteI came here to ask this exact question!!
DeleteYes and we still have those lots. I've been the one holding back on building there for many and various reasons. This is an issue for sure.
DeleteI love 💕 your posts! Love ❤️ you, too!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia!
DeleteThe person you rented the cottage from on VRBO sounds like he doesn't give a shit about anything or anybody, but himself. I would definitely complain. It's dishonest, even if there is construction all over the island. His piece of the island is not peaceful and he does not have an unrestricted view of the ocean, not matter how he spins it.
ReplyDeleteThe ocean looks beautiful as do the pelicans. We get pelicans here too, they've left already but will be back in the spring.
Have a safe trip home.
Thanks, dear Pixie. I think that the VRBO guy and I definitely got off on the wrong foot and it was due to his irresponsibility. It is absolutely the first time I've had any issue at all with a VRBO listing.
DeleteThe ocean was so gorgeous. Different and eternal every moment.
That sunset photo is so beautiful. I would have that on my wall!
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice one, isn't it?
DeleteIt's nineteen years since we were on St George's Island. I think I would be very wary about building or buying a place there because of the huge storms that can blow in from The Gulf. We were there at Eastertime 2002 and Ian and I both got sunburnt. With the sea breeze the sun didn't feel so powerful.
ReplyDeleteYep. Whenever you build on the coast around here you have to be aware that a hurricane can take it all away. It is indeed a risky business but I will say that there are homes in Apalachicola and on St. George that have certainly withstood the test of time.
DeleteAnd yes, you can sunburned any day of the year around here. Even on cloudy days.
Pelicans ARE very prehistoric-looking. Truly amazing creatures.
ReplyDeleteThe host probably does need to update his listing, but I'm trying to think of a way he could describe the changing view that wouldn't scare everybody off. It would be a matter of delicate wording! (Maybe just not mention it at all!)
All that host has to do is take that picture out. And until he does- that is misrepresentation.
DeleteYou'll be pleased to know I left his sleazy forty bucks on the counter.
I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time, but I agree with you, your host really should have been more honest in his advertising!
ReplyDeleteExactly.
DeleteWell this has been lovely even with the whole construction, lying landlord thing. At least for me! I miss traveling! Thank you for taking us along. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering why you and Sir Tearful haven't been traveling. Do you still have your airstream?
DeleteMy parents visited Boca Grande every year (on the Gulf side of Florida). Mom said "if heaven isn't as nice as Boca, I don't wanna go there!"
ReplyDeleteDad took so many photos of sunsets because they are always so beautiful over the water! Your sunset photo brought back happy memories for me! Thanks!
I have SO many sunset pictures too. Cozumel, Dog Island, St. George Island, Roseland. There is nothing so beautiful to me as a sunset over the water.
DeleteYou know, I don't think I've ever been to Boca. I should go one day. I always think of it as a very rich person place.
Wonderful sunset photo. And maybe a Yelp comment wouldn't go amiss. I see he can't lose income because of someone else's construction, but a bit of honesty and maybe a complimentary fruit basket or gift certificate to a local restaurant would soothe the disappointment a bit.
ReplyDeleteWell, forget that. He did peel forty dollars off a wad in his pocket and left it for us after he didn't answer two texts and a phone call from me asking for the access code to get in. He said it was to buy a nice bottle of wine to make up for the miscommunication. Haha!
DeleteI left the money in the cottage when we left.
My BFF and her husband retired to one of the barrier islands of GA five or so years ago. This year she moved back to Ohio, declaring five hurricanes convinced her she was not a southern girl.
ReplyDeleteI love the reminder that we don't necessarily find perfect conditions when we travel but we take what we find and make the best of it and the best can be pretty darn wonderful. Especially with a congenial traveling companion. A long time love.
ReplyDelete