Space

Phaedrus said, "When you have mountains in the distance or even hills, you have space." I think something similar applies to the sea.

Beach Summary

Kristen saw a manatee while at the beach. Need I say more?

The Call

The morning was beautiful! I was on the beach just before sunrise, taking pictures in the morning light. It was wonderful and peaceful and fantastic. There I was, just enjoying it all when I heard a shrill, if faint, voice call my name. The first time the sound echoed through my mind, it barely registered to me that I was not alone on planet earth, let alone that someone wanted me. The second time I heard the voice, it became obvious that someone, perhaps my wife, desperately wanted my full attention. I turned my view from the beautiful emerald waters back toward the condo to find Kristen waving her arms frantically. I really did not want to leave the water’s edge and so I convinced myself of the possibility that Kristen was really just waving her arms at me in an enthusiastic morning greeting. I decided I would return the signal and give my wife an equally warm well-wish to get her day started off right. I raised my hand above my head and waved it vigorously, hoping soon to be engrossed again taking pictures and being with nature. No such luck. Kristen’s arms did not have to say anything at this point. Her face said it all, “Get up here now!” Walking away from the beach it was as though the water pulled on me like a rubber band. The farther from the water I walked the greater the pull to return. Finally, I made it to the rental half expecting some sort of emergency. Instead, I found Elle playing happily on the floor and Kristen nowhere in sight. What an emergency! I talked to Elle for a minute waiting for Kristen to return and tell me how I could save the day, and perhaps the universe, but all she said was that Elle had peed AND SOME GOT ON THE SHEETS. Life and its emergencies. Perhaps a little miffed that I was not outside listening to the sound of peace rolling upon the sugary, sandy beach, I let Elle’s love and contagious smile wrap me up and helped Kristen with the sheets.

PawPaw and Elle

PawPaw came to visit Elle this weekend and everyone had a great time. Elle was really busy doing fun things and showing everyone neat sites. Elle took PawPaw to get her 'first' pictures taken and to eat some southern BBQ. No trip to the area is complete without a visit to the swamp. Elle guided everyone through her favorite hiking area (elevation change, 0) to see the black water, cypress, lily pads, lizards, and aggressive spiders. PawPaw agreed, the swap truly is shocking the first time through.

Elle at Play