Vacation!

My Vacation at home on Hilton Head Island begins today...Time to enjoy sand, sun, surf, and the remaining lazy days of summer!

The zoo

I spent this morning with my sister, brother-in-law, nephew and some family friends visiting the Riverbank Zoo in Columbia, SC, our State capitol. Located about 2.5 hours from Hilton Head, Columbia is a nice excursion for simply put, something different. For a slow, "southern" capitol city, Columbia surprisingly has an excellent zoo. Here are just a few highlights from today. The kids and the "big" kids all had fun. Also, check out the video.

Tropical Storm Fay

Living on an island we always have an eye out for potential tropical storms and hurricanes. For surfers (of which I am still the baby beginner) it is an exciting time as the wind and currents begin to pick up, in the anticipation of surf-worthy waves. For me personally this morning, it was a different adventure. During my morning run, about an hour into it, rain swaths began down pouring at about 6:45am. No worries though, and to be honest, it was a lot of fun. I love being caught in the rain (as opposed to 'heading out' in the rain) ...it makes me feel like I am really "brave" and "am conquering the world." (Heading out into it is a different story...something that takes more motivation.) Today however, I had my visor on, so no water in the eyes, and everything else was just fine. Wet shoes, soaking wet clothes, wet skin...and relief from the heat. Thanks Fay!

Running therapy

Well tonight I went out for a run in the evening, as opposed to the morning, because it was thundering and lightning at 5am here this morning and I really didn't want to brave it then.
However, I think it was for the best because I really "needed" to run tonight...not only for my marathon training but also to clear my head and my heart. Irritations, frustrations, other things building up inside...all needed to be pounded out with the rhythm of my stride...and the sound of the ocean.
I darted out from my parent's house in Shipyard (I had gone over for dinner) and headed for the beach. Four days in a row now on the beach...something must be pulling me there.
Watching the clouds change colors as the sun went down, people watching along the way...with the day's sandcastles left for the overcoming power of the tide.
There is a rhythm to running which helps drown out the other voices in my head. And it allows God to speak more clearly to my soul. Toward the end of my run, looking up into the sky, I began reciting Psalm 121, "I lift my eyes up to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help it comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth."
It felt good to run. Good to be outside. Good to remember where my help comes from. I let things go. Put a smile back across my face.

Dance of the Jellyfish

Ok so yesterday was the first time in about 20 years that I was caught doing the "jellyfish dance" ...as coined by my co-worker. I was wading in the shallow surf with my nieces when like a flash of lightning...STINGING SENSATION all around my ankles. "Ahhhh!" I screamed and I jumped up and down and ran as fast as possible out of the water.

No heroic praises to me however, for my little 5-year-old niece also got stung and in my own flight of terror, I completely neglected her. (Thankfully my mature, level-headed 9-yr. old niece came to the rescue for her.)

Being stung by a jellyfish could be worse, but isn't something to fear completely. A little vinegar is the trick for calming the burning sensation. And now about 24 hours later, the pain has subsided tremendously, although, I still have that little telltale welt on my leg.

Anyhoo...August on Hilton Head...hot, humid, potential for hurricanes...and potential for being stung by a jellyfish. I have never done ballet, thus haven't performed in the Nutcracker, but maybe I'd be ok at the "Dance of the Jellyfish."

Fishing...

Yesterday my nieces and sister were in town and my Dad arranged for us to go fishing with Coach Utley, a good friend, former head football coach at Hilton Head High School, and now owner of fishincoach.com ... a charter fishing boat that docks off of Charley's Crab on the North end of the island. We went out at 1pm yesterday, right in the middle of the heat of the day and it was dead calm...no wind or ocean breeze to cool things off. However, that did not deter us. We headed out and proceeded to have a great afternoon! Coach Utley took us out to Port Royal Sound and was prepared with fishing rods and Menhaden bait, ready to catch some fish.

Well, not more than 10 minutes after the first line was in the water, we got a bite and sure enough...a bonnethead shark! About 3 feet long. Alright...we were fishing! All of us had a smile on our faces and were eager for more. About 5 minutes later...another bite. This time my sister Shelly reeled it in and it was a little black tip shark. Pretty cool.

Well, we continued to fish for about another hour or so, catching about 5 or 6 more black tip sharks. None over 3 feet and all too small to keep (I don't think we would, or could, keep anyways.) But , it was a fun afternoon and entertaining for the girls...well really all of us. And Coach Utely was his happy, cheerful self as always. Great company.

Fishing off of Hilton Head Island...great way to spend the day.

Evening on the beach

Went out to the beach at 5pm this evening for a walk. Caught some photos of what was happening.

Paddle Surfing

Today I went out paddle surfing for the first time...a novice surfer trying her hand at paddle surfing. Interesting (in a good way) to say the least. If you were watching (and listening) from the shore, you'd probably been wondering what in the world because of all of my yelping. Yet...I had an excellent teacher, so I was in good hands.

I got the hang of it after a number of spills (and only one bruise, see right). And I did actually ride one wave in, which was pretty fun. I actually liked standing up in the waves and balancing, holding me feet on the board and trying to stay vertical. I can imagine once you get the hang of it, that it would be really calm, fun, and peaceful. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Standing up to surf also gives you this really neat perspective of the water. The water just seems to glisten from that angle. Well, it also probably had something to do with the day...it was once again, absolutely beautiful. The sun was just right and it wasn't too hot but it was that warming, comfortable hot.

Besides playing in the waves, we also paddled into the Folly...that was cool. And this flock of seagulls, a variety of them, just stood there beside us on the bank and didn't fly away. (That's when I know God is smiling.)

Tonight I feel worn out from my newest form of adventure, but I am content. Paddle surfing this afternoon gave me the energy to complete the rest of my day, which entailed hanging out and entertaining my awesome nephew, Kaleb. Today was the perfect balance of fun and responsibility.

Yeah!