The Turn-Off

The last few days people have not seen me online. With the exception of posting a couple photos to Facebook upon my arrival and a couple of texts to my kids, I made a conscious effort to avoid what I spend hours doing each day. As a result, life slowed down, yet time went much too quickly. I also left my mini-vacation feeling relaxed.

 

Wild ponies roam freely on Assateague Island in Maryland. (Of course, that was one of the pictures I posted on Facebook as soon as I saw them.) After listening to the Ranger emphatically tell me not to approach them because they are aggressive and will bite, I got a bit freaked out when one put its head in the window of my car when I first arrived. My heart rate quickened and I quickly shut the window and made sure to give the pony a wide berth the rest of the night. By the end of my stay, when the same pony walked right up to me and put his face in mine, I was not concerned in the least about being bitten.

Campfires are one of my favorite parts about camping. While the fire itself is chill, the starting it can be an adventure in and of itself. The first night was windy, and the wood was rotted. Just when we would think the fire was going, a big gust of wind would come along and have us trying once again. By the time the fire was going, it was that much sweeter to enjoy it. The tension and stress of the last few months began to ebb away.

Most of the time was spent at the campsite just chillin’ and chatting while watching the horses graze nearby. Sounds of surf and seagulls along with the warmth of the sun pulled me under its spell. And then we met Hook. Hook had a fish hook stuck in his tongue. He came each day to get whatever was on the menu. His favorite was Chipotle Cheese-Its. He avoided melon altogether. In the beginning, the other gulls would come in and chase him away for the food. (The food was put away as soon as they flew in.) We watched Hook transition from on edge to relaxed. The first day, he would fly away when the other birds came in. By the time we left, he was puffing himself up and standing his ground causing the other gulls to leave.

When so close to Ocean City, one needs to take a ride to check it out. So we did. One of these days, Layla and I will ride to Ocean City. This trip Layla stayed home and I sat on the back. We walked the boardwalk checking out the leftover merchandise from last week’s Bike Fest. I have always been curious about them. I hear the wings are good and the breasts better. When he heard I had never been to one, our spot for lunch was decided upon. My first visit to Hooters. Good times.

 A full moon shone over the ocean. I took some time to go sit on the beach by myself. Nobody else was around. All I could hear was the sound of the surf. I sat there thinking about how good my life is. How thankful I am for the tough times for they make the good times so much better.  I am at peace with me. A place where I never thought I would be.

All too soon, it was our last night to sit around the fire. The original plan was for us to camp the week before and spend our time at Bike Fest. A weekend that would have been fun, but spent in the hustle and bustle of crowds of bikers. I would have kept everyone updated on every little thing I was doing. Instead, life slowed down and I learned the magic of turning off.