Remembering Where I'm From and Watching Fireworks

What a busy and exciting week! I decided for the first time in three years to return to the Smoky Mountains for some hiking. It hasn't exactly been three years since I went hiking, but it has been three years since I had been to the Smokies. It was nice to be back on the trails I had hiked many times before, as well as to try a few that I had never set foot on before. I had a couple of unusual things happen during a particular long and treacherous hike. At about mile 6, my phone rang. What makes this unusual is that I hadn't had much of a signal most of the time we had been in the mountains. In a strange turn of events, it was a newspaper editor calling about my job at the university…he wanted to know if the university would be open the next day because of a forecasted tropical storm approaching the area. I explained I had no idea and that I was in the mountains. What I can't quite figure out about it, is how I was able to receive a call in the middle of a forested trail in the mountains. I hadn't been able to  get a signal during most of the trip and, now, in the middle of a hike, I was able to get a call. Then, about a mile later, my right hiking boot feels odd so I stop to check it out. Thinking I had a rock caught in the tread of my shoe, I expected to dislodge the rock and keep on; that is, until I realize that the tread of my boot had come detached from most of the shoe except the toe. I just shook my head. What is most odd about all of this is that, for the first time, I had packed my trail running shoes in my backpack. I'm not sure why I did it, but I was incredibly happy that I had. Once I changed into the trail runners, I realized how heavy my hiking boots were, and how light the trail runners are. I was light on my feet and almost immediately decided that the next pair of trail shoes I would get, would not be high boots, but a lighter weight, lower cut hiking shoe. The hike became much easier with the lighter shoes, which is a good thing since the trail we were on turned into a a difficult one with multiple downed trees, high weeds, lots of stinging nettle and a little poison ivy. All of those on the hike made it through even though we were crawling, climbing and high-stepping through the trail. In the end, it would go down as one of the all-time best 10-mile hikes I had ever been on, with just enough intrigue to keep me on my toes.

I returned to Texas on that Thursday (6/18)…after the storm had passed. I had already decided that

I paddled out at 37th and had fun!

Friday would be a surf day and, fortunately, there were a few waves. They definitely were not as big or well-formed as they had been just before the Tropical Storm was about to come through. But, at least there were waves. I traveled to 37th, paddled out about 150 feet to the east of the jetty and, almost immediately, began to catch waves. Needless to say, it was a great ending to the week. I even rode earlier that morning, which meant that during the week, I had already hiked, biked and surfed. I was having a stellar week. And, a fun one. I ran on Saturday morning before going to my family's church to help with their rummage sale. My mother had requested my assistance some time ago, but I had forgotten about the sale. Since it had been scheduled at three other times and then canceled because of rain, when she called me on Tuesday of the week before, I knew that there was no way for me to get out of it. And, I'm glad I didn't. It turned into a beautiful day at the church in which I grew up…the church in which I was confirmed. I saw people I hadn't seen in a long time as well as met new people. I watched my mom compassionately lower prices on clothing priced at a quarter for people who didn't have a spare 25 cents. It was a humbling, yet wonderful experience. And it was good to be with my kind and loving mom.

Later that evening, I did something else fun. Let me backtrack a little. A couple of weeks ago while surfing social media, I found a link to a night-time SUP tour in Galveston. I couldn't resist. I signed up immediately and persuaded a friend she needed to go also. What a fun evening! We met with the tour leader at the Offatts Bayou parking lot on 61st Street. They brought us 11'2" SUPs and we launched from the boat ramp. we paddled to Moody Gardens and waited for the weekly fireworks display to begin at 9:30ish. Saturday evening was beautiful and when it came time for the fireworks, we locked our SUPs together by putting one end on top of the end of another. Then we each leaned back and watched the fireworks, which appeared to be right overhead. I never saw fireworks so close. It was as if the show was just for us. We then paddled back to the boat dock to unload. The only scary part was making sure that the boats passing by could either see us or hear us. I would probably buy a waterproof headlamp for the next time…and I definitely plan for a next time. I'm hoping to do it again another night this summer. Until then, I can just close my eyes and relive the bright and beautiful lights as I remember them.

One Early Morning

May is such busy month. Since I work at university, it's the end of the spring semester, which means we celebrate commencement and all it entails. I have to admit that it's a fun month. Watching students who have worked hard, most of whom have full-time jobs and families, fulfill their educational dreams is a great experience. I've worked at least three 13+-hour days and partial weekends, so my surf time has been seriously limited. And, then, this weekend when I finally have a break, I have a cold or allergies or whatever else causes a stuffy nose, scratchy throat and watery eyes. I hate the way it makes me feel. I would have definitely gone out to surf Friday if it weren't for this stuff. And Saturday. Today, it was flat, but I would have still gone out…probably on my SUP. The forecast for the rest of this week is about the same as today: FLAT, FLAT and FLATTER. Oh my!

I was glad that I went out surfing one morning last week before work.  I had received an email on

Hang 10 for sure

Monday afternoon from my friend at work who surfs. He said that the forecast for that afternoon and the next morning looked good. I pulled out my phone and verified what he was saying. And, after further investigating by visiting webcams and three other surf reports, I knew he was right. I agreed to meet him the next morning at 6:30 a.m. Early the next morning, he texted that the surf wasn't quite as good as it was the afternoon before, but that there were still some nice waves at the 61st Street Pier. I agreed to meet him there and, although I had never really surfed there before, was able to find the best place to set up and wait for the wave. I took the rip current out and got in the lineup. At 6:30, there was only one other person out. We chose the west side of the jetty because we thought it looked cleaner. Had a blast! I caught several wonderful waves that morning, including one that I thought was my best ride ever. I felt like the wave allowed me the best pop up ever and the ride seemed to last forever. It was, quite possibly, the best start to any day. I was at my desk by 10 a.m. I hope to start my day this way several times this summer. However, it looks like it won't happen this week.

The Last of the Wetsuits for the Season?

Texas is about to move from spring to summer. It's a little muggier than it has been so far this year. Up until now, we've enjoyed milder temps and a little rain. But things changed this last week. Humidity is higher as are the warm temps. Usually, the winds have calmed a little by May, but this year, they are blowing hard and strong. Of course, that means that the water in the Gulf is being tossed about like it is in a blender. It has been incredibly choppy lately and this past weekend was no different. The forecast showed decent sized waves, but they lacked form. That wasn't stopping some of the regular surfers. Beginning last Friday, I was seeing and reading online about all the surfers going out. I could see the line-up. The truly gifted surfers were whipping in and out of the waves, making the mushy waves look like perfect lines and, not only that, they were all just in suits -- not wetsuits necessary. Just watching them on the cam made me realize I would need to go surfing over the weekend. Since it was Mother's Day weekend, I had a feeling that getting out on Sunday would be difficult. Not only would I have family activities with my mom, but it would also be crowded on the beach. As for crowds, Saturday wasn't much better. I know, because that was when I decided to go out. 

This photo is an old one, but reflects
what the waves have looked like
lately…very choppy!

I had a bicycle ride early Saturday and fought the same wind that was churning the waves. When I finished my 48 miles, relaxed and watched other surfers catching waves on the webcams, I decided that I needed to make a trip. I was so glad I did. Because of the wind, I took "Sunshine," the 8'1" board. I haven't been out on the McTavish for a while. But, I knew that carrying any of the boards in the crazy wind would not be easy -- the smaller the better. The paddle-out was rough, but I made it to the outside, and remembered what I liked about the board. About four or five other surfers were already on the outside. I spoke with one of the surfers, and he said that it was absolutely necessary to catch these waves before they broke. Of course, as soon as he said that I saw a wave coming and started paddling. I caught it, stumbled on my pop-up because of the smaller board and surfed left. I eventually fell off. That would be my ride for the day. I had one more short pop-up/ride, but, basically, I just paddled around. And, that was okay. I had fun, and got reacquainted with my board. I stayed out a little over an hour before I had to pack up. I was keeping my fingers crossed that I might be able to make it back out on Sunday. But, alas, my Mother's Day schedule was just too tight to squeeze in a quick trip to G-town. I'm hoping to make it down one night after work, but with the weather forecast so dismal, I may not get to make it down. Keeping my fingers crossed for next weekend. Here's hoping!!!