Sunday, Mom and Gary took us to The Strand in Galveston to meet up with Cass where she works, Dolphin World. I enjoyed looking around the shops, but grew weary of seeing the same old thing in shop after shop quickly. We rode over to Cass's home which is in the scenic Victorian part of town to set up her shelf we brought and drop off her new movies, Playstation 3, and various other belongings. Afterward, I had DJ drive down to the Ferry Landing. We parked in the lot and took the Ferry to Bolivar Peninsula and back. Here, I experimented with my shutter speed as I photographed the pelicans flying overhead.
On this trip, we were on the Ray Stoker Jr. instead of the Lanier. Because it was the Sunday before July 4th, three ferries were running rather than the normal two for Sunday traffic. The Dedman was the other ferry, and I can honestly say in all of my years of riding the ferry from the island to the mainland, I have never had the opportunity to ride the Dedman.
Riding the ferry always brings back memories of the boys and I spending two weeks a year every summer in Galveston with Mom and Dad. It reminded me of the 3-5 trips a year the boys and I made in order to spend time with my parents and later my niece, nephew, and sister before Dad passed away. Dad always took us on the ferry, and just like this time, we would look out into the bay and watch the dolphins chasing the wake of the passing ships. We would watch the sail boats jettison off toward the sea, and we would watch the Bolivar lighthouse grow as we neared.
DJ, the boys, and I did not step off of the Ferry when it landed at the mainland. The return trip to the island provided me with the opportunity to photograph the many, many seagulls chasing the ferry.
This trip was different than many of the others because this time I got share the memory with my best friend, DJ. I pointed out the different kinds of ships and barges as we passed, and I realized it is time to put the past behind me and live in the now. This trip did not sadden me and make me yearn to see my father one last time. This trip was jovial and joyful as I was able to make the memories new and fresh.
As we neared the Coast Guard base, our ferry ride came to a close. We exited the ferry and drove to the seawall where we allowed the boys to dive into the ocean and go for a swim. DJ and I walked on the beach hand-in-hand and talked about the life that we plan to share with one another. The salt water felt good on my tired, achy feet and calves. The water lapped at my toes as it washed the sand below me away sinking my body into the sand. In order to allow the boys to dry, we walked across the street to Sonic for a milkshake before we returned to Santa Fe.
Monday, Cass was off of work, so Mom decided that she would take us to the State Park on the west end of the Island for a picnic with Cass and Zach. However, the State Park ended up being a no go, as the rates had gone up, and it would have cost more than any of us could afford to pay $5 per person for seven people. We travelled further west past the toll road and found free public beach access. Again, the boys took off into the ocean while the rest of us ate our sandwiches. DJ and I walked down the beach, and we had to wade through the thick red seaweed that washed along the shore. The boys ate, and after a while, we returned to Galveston. Mom dropped Zachary off to get a haircut, and DJ, Damien, and I opted to stay at Cass' house with Cass to await Mom, Dylan, and Zach's return. This gave us the opportunity to catch up with Cass and take turns playing Grand Theft Auto IV.
Cass said that she has been doing well, and is grateful that we brought her something to do, as she was growing bored when she was at home alone. This is the first time in Cass' 41 years that she has ever lived completely on her own. Her efficiency apartment is small, but it is suitable for a single woman. Zach spends a lot of his time with his mother, and he does sleep at her home most nights. I enjoyed spending time with my sister, for we have only just begun to be close with one another. I hope with all my heart that we have the relationship that we should have had all of the past years.
When Mom returned with the boys, we said goodbye to our hosts. Mom drove us out to East Beach. There, the seaweed was not the bothersome nuisance as it was on the other two beaches we had visited. The beach was clean, the breeze from the ocean was cool, and the weather was favorable. The sand was soft and cool on my bare feet. We neared the water, and the soft sand grew firm and warm.
DJ and I walked along the sand and we watched the moon rise up into the sky. DJ picked up shells that I pointed out along the way and gently placed him in his pockets. Among the many clam shells, I found an oyster shell and two shards of sand dollars.
I snapped pictures of everything that I gazed upon, and DJ and I watch as people took turns soaring into the sky via parachute and fan. We talked about my lack of courage that would need to do such a thing. I laughed and told DJ that I would scream the entire time that I was on such a contraption, and I would miss out on the entire point of the thing, seeing beauty of the world in a way I had not seen before.
As evening neared, the lifeguard stand was abandoned, but it presented an opportunity for great, colorful photos.
DJ and I walked past tide pools where we spotted tiny creatures and seagulls feasting on what the could catch. Though you may not be able to spot it in the photos, the ground was covered with the tiny shells of the clams that rode the tide into the beach. There were millions of these small shells covering East Beach.
The sun began to set, and we watched it fall closer to the horizon. DJ and I walked hand-in-hand, Dyl walked with Mom, and Damien walked alone. The evening was a relaxing one. Words cannot explain the peace we felt or the natural beauties that kept us in awe.
DJ often walked off into the ocean and allowed the warm gulf waters flow over his feet. The boys joined him, and I could not resist the opportunity to photograph my family, my three favorite men. I could spend a lifetime attempting to express the love I feel for them, and you would never understand the depth of the love that I feel or the love that dwells in my heart. For, they are my heart, and they are the epitome of love.
Each of us posed along East Beach in order to be photographed. First, Dyl with Mom, then, Damien with mom, and finally DJ and I posed with one another.
Soon, we neared the jetty where we watched the ships enter and exit the bay. The sun dropped further toward the earth, but we continued to explore. The more near to the jetty we had come, the more we noticed the shells were moving about. The rocks of the jetty were covered with hundreds if not thousands of hermit crabs. I shot the small water spiders, and I discovered a red crab who had affixed himself beneath the rocks.
There he sat waiting for what I know not, but I know he was not expecting me. He grabbed at my stick as it neared him, and he actually took the stick away. I could not resist the opportunity to shoot away at the small creature to whom I must look like a giant. I stood close watching him move, and it was not until I returned home and began to process my photos that I realized there was a smaller crab that must have been right next to my feet. I am fortunate that he did not try to clasp his claws on my foot. Other crabs began to dig themselves from under the massive rocks of the jetty and scurry about. I wish I had been able to photograph them as well, but my battery ran dead, and my spare was close to a mile away in Mom's car.
We travelled back to Santa Fe and turned in for the night. The rose in the bush next to Mom's house that had only just begun to open had already begun to wilt.
DJ and I were tired and ragged and decided to take Tuesday to relax as we knew we had a big day ahead of us and a long trip just the day after. As the evening approached, I began to feel bad for the boys as they were terribly bored with no cousins to hang out with and nothing to keep them occupied. Mom did take the boys and I to Jack Brooks Park in Hitchock, and I am grateful that she chose to get them from the house if only for an hour or so. Where Mom lives is at the corner of Santa Fe next to Hitchcock, Texas City, and League City.
On July 4th, we traversed back to Galveston to see Cassie and to pick up Zachary. We made our way toward downtown in order to take the boys to the beach and to secure a spot on the jetty in order to watch the fireworks. To our surprise roads were corded off, and we happened upon the beginning of a 4th of July parade. The parade was more or less a political parade as it is an election year. However, there were interesting sights that rode before us, and often those upon the floats tossed beads to the crowd. Between the boys, DJ, Mom, Zach, and Me, I ended up with 37 strands of beads, and I did not have to show my boobs for a single one.
The parade ended, and candy was strewn about the road. We secured a nice little spot on the jetty, were we awaited the show. The beach was far too crowded to sit on, and the photos would be better if shot from the jetty anyway. I was not the only person that recognized the window of opportunity to shoot from there. I was angry at myself, however, that I had failed to pack and carry my tripod with me.
While we awaited the evening light show, I took the opportunity to photograph the newly constructed Pleasure Pier. The pier is not complete, and all of the rides are not opened yet. Mom said that they currently are not charging full price to enter the pier. As we arrived on limited funds, we did not venture to the pier on this occasion. As the evening progressed and night overtook the sky, I dialed down my shutter speed to allow me to catch the lights from the rides. The ferris wheel is, thus far, my favorite.
I also took this opportunity to photograph my loved ones as they sat on the jetty watching and waiting for the evening's show. Damien's anxiety level was high as the crowds stress him, so he spent the evening off by himself. I have learned to give him space and time to adjust.
The evening light glowed on Mom's skin, and she watched the festivities around her. Dylan listened to his iTouch as he waited. Zach sat patiently and quietly awaiting for the the night to begin.
And DJ sat watching and waiting in a happy gaze. I can only guess what he was thinking, and I like to think that he was enjoying feeling the ocean breeze brush against his skin and through his hair. That he was consumed with the sounds of the waves lapping against the rocks, and that he found great joy in making new memories with his wife and children.
The sun fell behind the buildings across from the seawall, and the sky shone a brilliant gold then suddenly darkened. It was almost the time that we had all awaited.
We all watched in awe as each rocket soared into the air. The fireworks exploded and lit both the sky and the water. I watched the colors dance across the waves and the waters. I failed to prevent the camera shake I was expecting due to the missing tripod, but I feel the photos were still a success, as was the show that carried on for near an hour. DJ and I stood watching the last of the pyros shoot into the sky and the warmth of his hand in mine comforted me. I could not think of a better way to spend the Fourth and celebrating the birth of our nation.
After the show was over, we returned to Mom's home in order to prepare for the journey ahead of us. For on Thursday, we returned home.
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