Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday

Because I need this right now, and I might as well share.  I don't know when I will have time again, to be honest.

Kerri came along with us on our family trip.  (I joked that I brought myself a "busy bag."). I know I need to fix her right eye.  I had to wing that part, because it came out on the pattern as brown.  MY Sister Golden Hair's eyes were not brown!  (God, I still can't.  So much trauma, and my cookie jar is over-flowing right now.)

On the morning of our first full day in Fort Morgan, I woke up early.  I was alone.  This is a rare moment for me.  (Less rare now that my favorite doctor in the world has given me the gift of authentic sleep...maybe we will come back to that.  Maybe not.)

I decided to walk to the beach.  It was a special time.

I wanted to scope things out, so I would have an idea of the place before I had all the others (and all the gear) with me.  It just makes everything easier if I know what I'm doing in advance.  People need a leader.  

"I am that HERO!" -Me

(Ok.  Ok.  I'll admit it. -Larryboy)

One bonus of being the leader, is that when you do the extra work, you enjoy the moments few others get to experience:

A quiet beach is a rare gift for early birds, and this little guy was a sight just for me. 💕
(I also have great photos of a clean crab on the matted walkway, but this one better represents my personality, my style, and my heart.) 

Everyone was still asleep when I got back from my excursion.  (Which took a bit longer than I planned, since I definitely took a wrong turn and got myself temporarily locked out of the gated community.  Typical Kristen Fun!)

I made them all a big breakfast and let them wake up slowly.  We discovered turtles in the little pond outside our back door and played for a bit before we headed out to check out the historic military site.  

We opted for the external views and skipped the tour.

Across the road was a lovely pier (and a ferry nearby), where we got to see dolphins (MY FAVORITE!!) in their habitat.

On the way home, we stopped by an eclectic local store and restaurant, The Sassy Bass and paid outrageous prices for a few things we'd forgotten.  It was worth it to experience the place...and mostly, to meet the lovely young cashier with A LOT of knowledge.  

We got "home" in time to grill some burgers (I did an excellent job with the grocery planning, if I do say so, myself).  And we all walked to the beach for the sunset, one of our favorite collaborative beach trip day's end rituals.

Nerdy birder that I am, I enjoyed watching the gulls and pelicans diving out deep for a meal, and the colors of the sky and the cloud formations, as the sun set.

Again...I didn't get nearly as far as I'd hoped.  But...thank you joining me, again.

K