Dances with Seagulls

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

"Corpus Christi is a Texas city on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s tucked into a bay and its beaches are sheltered by Padre and Mustang islands. The Padre Island National Seashore is home to migratory birds and endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. The harborfront Texas State Aquarium has touch pools, an aquatic nursery and a shark exhibit. Nearby, a WWII aircraft carrier, USS Lexington, now houses a naval aviation museum"

The day before we hit the road I made an executive decision that we were going to go to the beach and have a good time.  I used my Expedia points and got a great deal for a night at a Marriott.  Our goal was to hit the road by 10am-which we did not make.  At 11 we were packed and driving thru downtown to get I-37 South.

If you haven't traveled with Naysia, you should know that she gets a gold star as a travel partner (on the way there).  She had the party jams lined up at the right volume and kept the snacks coming in the perfect rotation.  We had a deep conversation about slavery as we passed by cotton farms and imagined the parishioners of the Cowboy Church exclaim "YeeHaw" as opposed to "Hallelujah".  

In no time we were entering the city.  My spontaneity failed us as I did not research before hand which beach we were going to so we had no clue where to go.  We followed the signs to North Beach and parked.  Our cheap Walmart beach chairs and personalized beach bag in tow, we set ourselves up just along the shore line.  I eventually moved close enough to sit with my feet in the water but the joy was short lived for 2 reasons.  

1.  I moved my chair closer, feet in water, enjoying the sounds and the sun.  To my left I watched a family slowly make its way toward me.  When it got about 5 feet away I could hear the dad say, "Be careful son, the tentacles on this one is very long."  My chair had sunk into the sand considerably and the family was entertained by my struggle to get out of the chair.  I asked what they were looking out and he pointed out a jellyfish!  I called Naysia over.  She was stung by one a couple years ago and proceeded to tell the story--and express my foolishness for being so close to the water.  I moved my chair.
2.  We could see the dark clouds moving in when we arrived but I was sure that we were safe.  Naysia reminded me more than once about the hurricane season warning signs that were illuminated along the highway.  Ever so often I'd look to the left and take notice of how far away the storm.  The last glance frightened me!  It seems in no time the sky darkened, the black clouds were hovering over us, and the wind was squally. We grabbed our things and ran to the car along with the other beach goers.   

Disappointed as the rain drops fell, we got back on the road, checked into the hotel and then went out to eat.  It was impossible to resist a nap and we did so for hours.  As we all know that means it was infeasible to got to bed at a decent time.  We were awake until 3am laughing, wrestling, and taking a late night drive.  

Thursday, September 1, 2016

"Port Aransas is a city in Nueces County, Texas. This city is one hundred and eighty miles southeast of San Antonio. The population was 3,480 at the 2010 census. Port Aransas is the only established town on Mustang Island."

Although we can sleep with the best of them we were eager to get to the beach again before heading home.  Several people had recommended we visit Port Aransas, so we did.  It was about a 35 minute drive to get to Mustang Island.  We found a Beach Mart and picked up some sunglasses and a hat.  While Naysia pumped gas at our second stop I picked up some of her favorite, Cheetos Fries and some M&Ms for myself along with a couple drinks.  As the gentleman rung me up he said it was a "brilliant idea" that we came before the holiday weekend.  

After getting turned around more than once we found the beach.  It was a repeat of the day before--chair set up, photos, and I moved nearer to the water.  I sat and enjoyed the beautiful blue-green warm water.  As I sat, eyes closed, enjoying the breeze I could faintly hear something in the distance............................

"Mom! Mom! Mooooooooooooooom!"

I turned around to see Naysia running.  She had her Cheetos Fries bag in hand.  And she was running fast.  And chasing her, or rather  flying above her, were seagulls.  And the number grew quickly.  I yelled out to her

"Drop the bag Nays!  Drop the bag!!!!"

In two blinks it unfolded:  The fishermen were disturbed by her screams and watched the attack.  She kept on running.  She dipped to the right--and then to the left--and as she swerved to the right again both feet came up, sand went flying and she fell.  Yep, she hit the ground HARD.  In slow motion her chips went flying in one direction and her sunglasses bounced off in the other.  I was convinced she broke a bone or had scrapes at the least but her pride was the only thing hurt. 

As she got up I asked her several times if she was ok and got no answer.  She was embarrassed and angry and stormed off meanwhile yelling that I should have helped her.  I picked her glasses up and realized the chip bag was still about half full.  Not wanting to leave it on the ground, I bent over and the birds swarmed back in.  In an attempt to save my life, I emptied the bag and the seagulls ate them in 5 seconds flat!

I have to be honest.  During the ordeal I blinked back tears of laughter.  Once I knew she was fine, I laughed for a long time.   Eventually we both laughed about it in the car.

 
It was hilarious, wish I had recorded it.

We made up, took some more pictures, got all the way in the jellyfish free water and were back home before dark.  We love the beach and it's awesome to know that we are less than 3 hours away.  Next time we go we'll definitely leave the snacks in the car.