october sunshine.

the beach in october.

sigh. 

everything i want to say is an understatement.

simply unbelievable. and perfect.
...those are big words for me when it comes to the beach.

 

we went to appalach/cape san blas and i got to go with 
two of the sea hags {mom + diann}
plus some specials: kamdyn and madison {and mr. donnie too}
it's the girls' fall break and they love the beach. especially the beach with their d & di.

these sweet chicken wings belong to my childhood best friend.
i haven't been around them since they are both "little people" and i fell hard and fast, my goodness.
i love their ages; so inquisitive, smart, innocent + hilarious.
oozing curiosity, perfect manners and unbridled love. 
they reminded me so much of me, their mama + aunt; who, for every single year of our childhood, put in 8 hour days on the beach each summer. 
making our own fun, imaginations unleashed. fussing + fighting, then immediately laughing + hugging. 
a fierce love and bond, indeed.

beginning in the car ride down and through the first two days we were there, Kam kept telling me that she "just can't believe" how much I reminded her of her Aunt Kelley. but she could never truly grasp that i really knew Kelley and her mom when i was seven, just like her.   so sweet and funny.

we had four days of sunshine. perfect weather; breezy, everlasting rays, not a cloud in the sky.
we had to put on long sleeves in the morning and again to watch the sun trickle, dip and set
over the water
gravy biscuits for breakfast and wine spritzers happy hours

we collected shells, horse crabs and jellyfish
built sand castles, bathtubs and a gigantic octopus out of sand
the water was crystal clear and turquoise with sandbars perched as built-in playgrounds
we praised the solitude and cursed the dog flies.
i was treated to a seaside pedicure by a sassy seven year old.

i started and finished a book. ate fresh oysters at the raw bar, fresh shrimp for dinner.
i thought a lot
about things that mattered, those that shouldn't
and others that don't. at least for right now.
most of all, I got that good talk, that important talk 
that feel-good-real talk with mom and di. {you lil sea-hags know what i'm talkin about}

 

we barely showered

and hardly brushed our hair

ate ice cream and cookies.

i made friendship bracelets with the girls...they are rockin them, so cute.

and mom, di and mr. donnie played cards every night

long after i went to bed

trying not to think and yearn for when i'll be back

but if i was a guessing girl, i'd guess these hags have gotta mid-winter trip up their sleeves

...and i'd be lucky to get to come a long for the ride.

this place is it.

its paradise

for me and mine.

no other place besides 

home 

brings out this peace in me.
 

dear the cape, indian pass + appalach,
over all these years, you deserve loads of love letters and a million IOU's. 
i know i already told your calm crystal waters and sugar white sand as I was walkin away...but thanks again, for a perfect fall five days.
love, laurel