Music: ASOT
it's late, that's all I know. Coffee, anyone?
Saturday, after sleeping through John crashing around the hotel getting ready for work, I woke up in a much better mood. I heated up some breakfast, and took a long bath in the huge spa tub that could probably fit 10 people. I took my time getting ready, and decided I'd take a solo tour around town, explore. The main thoroughfare in town is similar to 1960 back home in Houston; very busy. Mobile is a nice town, lots of eats and new places I'd never seen before, just wish I'd had more time to explore. I found a Checkers and stopped for lunch. I wish they'd open one again back home. Their fries are the best. I went back to the hotel and took my medication (it's hard to stay on a strict diet when you're away from home), and found a movie on TV. John got 'home' and we took off to get my money back on those tires. They tried to say no at first, but finally I got a refund. We ran a couple more errands, and went back to the hotel to switch vehicles. We were wanting dinner, and John suggested a wing place that Houston doesn't have. We ate and tried a few of the drinks on their menu. It was a nice night out. Once back at the hotel, we attempted to break open the Wii so we could play before calling it a night, but neither of us made it past the initial set up.
The plan was to be up early the next morning, since John had the day off, and go to breakfast somewhere. I slept right through the alarm (not normal for me), and even John tried to get me to get up. So we ended up getting a little later start. The plan was to hit up the Battleship, then try to make the drive into Florida. It was one of my ultimate goals on this trip. After a nice brunch at Cracker Barrel, we went to another co-workers home in north Mobile. His dog had a litter of puppies, Bloodhounds, and John was to be adopting one of them. Originally planned for the baby, John saw it would be nice to have a companion for when he's on the road. So we went by to pay them a visit, but I was so eager to be getting on the road, and we were losing daylight. The dogs were cute, and I know it would make John happy, and it was another way to help him grieve. I was happy, too, because technically, she'd be half mine, too (he was adopting a girl). I saw her parents and thought holy shit this dog will be huge. I loved watching her play and run around. After some chatting with the co-worker and my growing impatience (babe...it's Florida...), we headed for the Battleship park.
The park was beautiful, sitting right on the water, and you could see I10 for miles. We were late though; the entrance to the Battleship itself closed a half hour before. I was disappointed. I really wanted to come here. Let down after let down.....However, we were able to walk around the park, as they had a bunch of decommissioned jets and tanks and planes. Got some good pictures. John even described some of the Coast Guard stuff laying around: a plane and a rescue boat. So, with nothing else to lose and going as far as we could around the park, we started making the drive into Florida. The route was boring; lots of nothing to see but trees. We saw the welcome sign about an hour later, and we stopped off at the welcome center. We were very close to Pensacola. Was cool seeing a Blue Angel plane in front. Continuing on, we hit Pensacola and found a local Starbucks, so we stopped off. John got us some drinks, and he bought some cups and tumblers for Christmas gifts, and he bought both of us a Florida collector's mug (these mugs are awesome, and you can pretty much find them for every city/state). A souvenir! It now sits proudly on my souvenir/shot glass collection shelf.
We decided to go explore the city (beach) before it got too dark. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time; everything was so new, and beautiful! We drove on the longest bridge/causeway I'd ever been on, headed for the island. The sun was starting to set, and seeing it over the bay was awesome. We passed through Gulf Breeze, continuing south. Once we hit the actual island, the scenery really came to life. Not like Galveston, but some of the same stuff you'd find at the beach; lots of shops and eats. So much color...
John is pretty Florida-savvy, and he kept driving. I was anxious to step foot on the actual beach, but I tried to stay patient and trust that John knew where he was going. It was getting dark, so I couldn't see a whole lot, but just being there and up to this point was awesome. John finally pulled into an empty parking lot, and in front of me was a bunch of brush and tall wispy weeds/brush. I knew we were here. I'd packed a bag with a change of beach clothes just for walking around, but I forgot all about it. I didn't care anymore. I had one goal. We got out of the Jeep and I saw there was a very long wooden bridge leading down to the beach. Hand in hand, we started to make the trek down the bridge, and I had to stop in my tracks. Laid out in front of me was miles and miles of the most beautiful beach I'd ever seen. Just beautiful. There was too much to take in. The pull was too strong and I couldn't wait anymore; I squealed and took off. I don't even think John cared; he probably enjoyed watching my reactions more than the beach itself! The sand was so clean, so soft, cool to the touch. Wait, when did my shoes come off? I hit the water at top speed and it was so warm and clean and inviting, and I wished it had been a little earlier; the sun was almost completely lost in the western sky, casting the last bit of a beautiful glow down the beach. I could almost still see the beautiful blue/green of the water, even in the darkness. It was breathtaking.
John had caught up to me, and I was racing up and down the shore, splashing and kicking and squealing and having the time of my life. I had to keep my pant legs pulled up to avoid getting soaked, making for an even funnier scene. There was not one soul on that beach, it was like our own private place, which made it all the more intimate for such a huge span. John didn't say anything, just watched and played in the water and trying to splash me. Just letting me completely soak in everything. He stopped me and took my hand, and we walked out into the water, not very far, as we were on an unfamiliar beach and unsure of how far and how deep the water was. He pointed out something and it was then I noticed what was missing:
The water didn't have that nasty/salty smell like on Galveston. It was fresh, the way a beach is supposed to be. We stood there forever, letting our senses take in everything. I looked up at the sky; it was perfectly clear, and you could see every star and constellation. I remembered why I was here and seeing this made me thankful for life, as I thought of my daughter and knowing she was happy to see me happy. I didn't feel the weight of the stress or sadness or anything else, just complete happiness: I haven't felt that way in a very long time. I was almost dizzy from the feeling of almost being weightless. The beach felt like a piece of Heaven itself, and I never wanted it to end. John and I walked a little ways up and down the edge of the water, hand in hand and stopping every once in a while to see the ships way out on the horizon. It was too dark to try to find any shells hidden in the sand.
I knew it was getting late, and John had to work tomorrow. We took one last splash and started making our way across back up to the bridge. I took one last look back before the beach disappeared behind the trees, and I knew I'd remember this night for the rest of my life. A picture of the same beach we were on (only this one is in the daylight) is now forever set as my lock screen on my phone, and every time I see it, I smile. It's still so clear and vivid, even now, months later, and I can still feel the cool touch of the sand, and still hear the sound of the waves.
We started making our way back across the causeway, and John told me he knew the beach might be deserted. He used to come to this area often. After some confusion and both of us pulling out our GPS's, we found a Walmart back off the interstate, hoping they'd have souvenirs, another goal of ours. I got some shot glasses, a postcard, and keychain, and John got some gifts for family and some mugs for him. Heading back to Alabama, we were replaying the events of the day and I knew he was beyond tired, but he told me it was definitely worth it, and we'd have to plan a trip back with a longer stay. I don't remember getting back to the hotel, or getting into bed.
I dreamed of the water that night; the sounds and the colors, but we weren't alone...there was a feeling of another presence, splashing and laughing right along with us...
