The One Night Sand Saga! or Send Sand!

Tony and I had a super fun, "One Night Sand," on the private island in Port Aransas, with our dear friends Sandy & Jon Wolfmueller and Rick & Leisa. And not to brag—our laughter-filled, mini-adventure lasted for a full twenty-two hours and a couple of minutes, which explains why I missed our dogs so much.

Monday evening, Ben arrived at the ranch, so he could baby-sit our dogs and the rescue ranch for us and we had a fun visit with him, in The Okay Corral, before we had to adios him, so we could pack our bags and then go to bed early. 

Tuesday morning, Sandy & Jon picked us up, bright and early, at 6:45, which was before sunrise out here and our four-hour trip was a blast, because Tony rode shotgun, in the passenger front seat, while in the backseat Sandy relaxed and tried to keep me from worrying about how fast we were traveling and it worked, even though we got lost once, for a few miles.

When we arrived safely in Port A., around 11:00, we decided to stretch-our-legs and eat lunch at Fin's restaurant first, before calling Rick to come pick us up at the marina.

One hour later, after eating a delicious lunch—our fun party officially began on the privately owned island where Rick, "The Friendly Lighthouse Keeper" lives.

While we sat on the porch, of the Main House, relaxing and watching the ships coming and going, the beautiful dolphins playing in their wake, we took turns telling hilarious stories and because I was laughing so much—my back began to ache a little, but I didn't care, because it was well worth it—we were having FUN—until a few minutes later, when a couple of brightly, orange-colored helicopters and a matching orange-colored boat started doing fly-bys and boating-bys near the beautiful island! "What in the heck are they doing?" I jokingly asked Rick, before starting to laugh. "I feel like I am starring in a Mash rerun." Everyone started laughing, as we watched one of the choppers hovering above the boat.

"Oh, that's just the Coast Guard, Nance," Rick replied. "Every Tuesday afternoon they come out here and do their practice maneuvers. It's really no big deal. They'll go away soon enough..." And sure enough a few minutes later, just as Rick had predicted—they went away. Here is a picture that Tone took of them.

That evening, Leisa cooked us a delicious, fresh Flounder dinner and I know that I ate more than I should have, but I didn't really care, because I was on island time and I was having the best-of-times with some of our best friends—and to me— that is what life should be all about. 

Around 10:00, before we all said good night to each other before going to bed, because we are old and can't party like we used to, I promised Sandy that I would get up early to catch the sunrise with her and Jon and that I would also climb up to the top of the lighthouse with them and I am proud to say that I kept both of my promises to them.

The climb up the steep, narrow, winding stairs to reach the top of the lighthouse was more than exciting for me, because I had been a little nervous about doing it, but I am so glad that I made myself do it, because we could see for miles and miles.

Watching the sunrise slowly, above the ocean was one of the prettiest sunrises that I have ever witnessed. Here are two great photos that T. took of Sandy & Jon standing outside, on the lighthouse deck, with me standing inside, because I was too scared to come outside with them and here is a picture of that spectacular sunrise that I shall never ever forget.

Then we ate a delicious breakfast at Rick's house, on the island and then we jumped into the Boston Whaler, with all of our luggage, so Rick could take us back to Port Aransas, so we could go drink some coffee with our dear friend John Kemmerly, before we headed back to The Hill Country. I love this picture, that Tony took, of Leisa's adorable dog, Squirt—jumping up on Rick's motorcycle seat.

I am so glad that we got to see John! Catching up with his latest news, while drinking coffee, at the coolest Internet cafe, in Port A. was so much fun, because we love John and it has been way too long, since the four-of-us last saw our dear friend, who was once a former employee of both Wolfmueller's Books and our rescue ranch.

When we arrived safely, back home, we gave Sandy & Jon a brick of Miles of Chocolate, that Ben had brought down for them and after hugs they adios-ed Ben, Tony and me and then they took off to go home, in Kerrville.

After hugging and kissing all of our sweeter-than-sweet dogs, that were even more happier than me to be back home with them I made Ben, Tony and me some coffee.

While we drank coffee and visited with Ben I started scrubbing on my soon-to-be-pretty sea shells, that Tony and I had picked up on the island's beach. As I was telling Ben all about our super-fun vacation and thanking him for baby-sitting for us, I accidentally re-injured my cut index finger using the scrubber, because I can no longer multi-task anymore and I should have known better. 

As I laughed about not being able to talk and work at the same time, I tried to bandage up my finger, without the use of a real Band Aid and that's when Ben made a suggestion, "Nance, you should have brought back some island sand, too, so you could fill it first into the jar then fill with the shells—to remind you of y'all's fun trip to Port Aransas."

"Oh, my gosh, I should have. That's a great idea, Ben. I'll call them tomorrow and ask them to "Send Sand." And that's about it for tonight.

Y'all have a great evening!