Hi y'all! I would have posted sooner but I have spent the last 2 hours posting pictures in my album HERE. Oh, RiverOtter there are many to view my dear. I have more, but I am tired and I wanted to post my trip report. I can't believe Kel beat me to the punch!

This will be long so bare with me. We had a very uneventful trip down. The van was loaded, Crumps trunk was loaded , and the TripleB's were riding down with me. There was excitement in the air as we loaded up.

We stopped at our favorite Huddle House for breakfast, and were then on our way. We arrived at Emeral Hill's condo's at about 3:00. We quickly unloaded and then walked out for that first view of the Gulf. It was awesome as usual. We spent some time unwinding and then Kelly, Jesse, Crump and I headed off to the Seagrove Market for a wonderful meal. I had the fried oysters, and as usual they were the best. As we were leaving I found a credit card that someone had dropped and after calling out the person's name inside and outside the Market with no luck finding the owner, I turned it over to the cashier. At the end of the week the owner had still not claimed it and I felt bad for them. I hope they eventually figure out where they left it. We went back to the condo and hung out on the grassy knoll for while then turned in.

I was up at about 5:50 Sunday morning. I wanted to start my day and didn't want to miss a minute of it. Me, Pat, Tim, and TripleB went down to build our "Tent City". We built it every morning (ok, I missed a few mornings, but TripleB didn't) and we unbuilt it every night. Nothing from our group was left on the beach overnight. I can't say that for a lot of other folks that were around us though. We did try to educate them, some listnened some didn't. But we did our part.

The June Grass was very heavy the first couple of days we were there. After it subsided, the jellyish came. I had never seen so many of them before. They were everywhere. Monday we did not get in the Gulf at all, they were just too bad. However, the rest of the week the Gulf was wonderful. Of course the last day we were there it was the best. I am not complaining though, it was all just magical.

A little background for those that don't know the story of our group. Most all of us went to the same high school. Several of us graduated 29 years ago together. Those that didn't go to school with us are siblings or spouses. Crump, was our high school English Teacher. He has been our glue that has kept us together all these years. He is our friend and our mentor. He taught us all the love of the sea. Most in the group (except me) all sailed together in the Bahamas on field trips that Crump organized. I however, didn't do the sailing trips because I wanted to go to Panama City Beach and party. I regret this decision very much. Crump loves all things that involve the beach, and the sea. He has suffered ill health this year and we all knew that this might be his last trip to the beach with us, so we wanted to make it special for him. He stayed with Kelly and I, and we took very good care of him. For the first time in a very long time, we got him in the Gulf. It was a very special moment for all of us. He was finally wet with the salt water that he loves so much. We have another friend that is very close to all of us and very close to Crump. She has not been able to travel with us for the last few years, but this year Pat and Dawn surprised all of us by calling her and asking her to come down. She rode a bus (well, several) for 14 hours to get there. Dawn went and picked her up and she surprised us all. Crump especially. He was brought to tears when he saw her (he was brought to tears many times this trip). It was a very special moment.

Little did Crump know that, that night Tim and Dominique had arranged for all us girls to take him on a Sunset Sail. We got him in the car and he had no idea where we were going. We got to the Marina and the gig was up. He cried many tears of joy. We got him on the boat and it was absolutely perfect. It was just as it should be, magical once again. We saw a beautiful sunset, with dolphins in the water and a wonderful fireworks show in PCB, that of course we said was just for us (it wasn't) but they couldn't have been timed any better. It was special time for each one of us. I will forever remember that sail.

After the sail we met the men folks at Reggae J's at Pier Park. Let's just say the meal was good, but everything else...well, not so good. The traffic, the people, the noise..it was just a culture shock after having nothing but the waves soothe me for 5 nights. I do so appreciate Tim and Dominique for arranging everything.

Sunday morning Kelly and I were going to Publix. I got in my van and could barely turn my stearing wheel. I had lost my power steering. I started to panick. However, I knew I was heading to the Red Bar at 11:00 that morning and figured I could get some help or recommendations on where to take it. I picked up my phone though to call the Dargs, because I thought they might know who to call. I opened my phone and it was black. Nothing on it at all. I had left it out on the table at the condo Saturday night and I figured that the humidity got it. I couldn't get to my address book to call the Dargs so I just told Kelly that I would find someone at the Red Bar to help. As we were driving to the Red Bar (in Crump's Truck) my phone rang. Yeah, it was fixed I thought. I looked down and nothing, I couldn't see who was calling, but at least it was ringing. I answered it. It was GTTBM. I told her my dilema. She said hang up I am calling the Dargs to tell them. So I did. In about 2 minutes Bdarg called me. Thank you, thank you, thank you GTTBM, you saved the day!!!! He gave me a recommendation and a phone number to call first thing Monday morning. Thank you Bdarg!!! I felt better as we headed to the Red Bar. The first person I saw was the beautiful Steeling1. I introduced myself to her and it was so nice to meet her in person. Then, Allifunn and her son came in so nice to see and chat with her and meet her son. Then, I was going out to the truck to get something and I noticed someone with a video camera in my face. (please don't post that video!!!) It was none other than Daddy-O himself. So, so good to see him. He was quickly joined by the lovely tootsie, and the cutest LJ. It was so nice to be able to sit down and talk to them, so good to see all of them. I just wish I had had more time to chat. I then saw the charming SJ. So good to see you my friend. And last but certainly not least, I finally got to meet the mother of all those beautiful Steeling girls. Steele Mama. I saw her in the parking lot and called her name. I got that hug I had been waiting for. She is beautiful of course. And that sweet RowieP. Just a precious little doll. Dread was wonderful as usual. It was a wonderful day at the Red Bar!

Monday I took the van to the garage. I really couldn't relax much until I knew what the outcome was going to be. Doug called me on Tuesday and said it was ready. It wasn't fixed, but it was better. I won't go into all the mechanical details, but Doug told me it was safe to drive home and I was happy with that. They were very kind to me and helped me out when I needed it the most. I would recommend John John's to anyone. Thank you.

I had to see a dog at the Water Color store. Ok, I had to see a dog and a jfunn, so I went by and saw the cutest dog ever!!!! He is about as cute as they come. It was so, so nice to see my friend jfunn as well. If you haven't been to the Water Color Store, you must stop in. They have some wonderful stuff in there.

The rest of my day's were spent lounging on the beach and playing in the Gulf with some wonderful friends and family. The nights were filled with great food, and star gazing, and satellite spotting. That is a favorite past time of ours. If you see one, you will always be able to spot them. And we laughed, a lot.

Last night was very special to me as well. The Dargs came by, and SJ finally came and got that Guiness I had promised him. Thank you for making my last night special. Jfunn, I can't tell you how happy I am that you were able to come by as well. I so enjoyed sitting on the grassy knoll talking to you. You are very special and I see great things in your future!

So there you have it folks. I would have to say probably the best trip ever, despite all the bad things that happened the beginning of the week, the rest of the week was perfect. I know I forgot a few things, but I am tired. Oh, I almost forgot, thank you jdarg for the use of the phones, they sure did come in handy.

If you haven't been on a vacation in a while to the beach. You must try and make some sacrifices and get there. Get there fast. Your soul will thank you for it.

Until next year.