Sunday kind of day

Still waiting to hear from HRH and SLY how they spent the day. I know she was up early enough for this sunrise photo to make yesterday's blog. 

It looks like they had a quiet day with a picnic lunch on the balcony, I'm guessing.

And she probably didn't know the sun was over her shoulder so HRH did a kind of selfie in the pool.  

HRH did call last night. She is having a grand time. Although she really only want to know where delete was on Facebook. She still needs me. And so ends Sunday in South Padre Island.

Another one bites the dust...

I don't know what HRH and SLY have planned for today, but I momentarily considered getting up early and going downtown to watch them implode the YMCA building down by the river. They were supposed to set off the explosions at first light, around 7:15. The air was soft and cool and it was an autumn Sunday in Iowa, what did I have to do that was any better.

Well, when the alarm went off, snuggling under the blankets and going back to sleep sounded much better. Plus, they set it off like 15 minutes early. And, based on the sneezing I have been doing since then, I probably didn't need the dust.

CaDiva was awake and actually heard the concussion of the implosion. Her bedroom has two windows and one of them faces east. Also, she is a cat princess and can tell if there is a pea under her mattress. One day I should explain how confusing that story was to me as a child. I was very literal and the only peas I knew about came from a Del Monte can. A squished foul tasting vegetable would not have kept me up.

Oh, where was I? Yes, the implosion. I have a few links if you would like to see it. It is sort of a shame since there the building held some wonderful artwork I think dated back to the WPA days.

I should look that up. But still, enjoy the downtown Des Moines skyline at dawn courtesy WHO and KCCI.

WHO, The Des Moines Register, and KCCI own these images. I don't have any right to them so I'm only giving you the links. But, if you ask me, WHO has THE BEST still slide show of all of them. Sorry, KCCI, you know you are my favorite.

Saturday in South Padre

Sunrise, Sunset
Sunrise, Sunset
Swiftly fly the days...

And in between they went to the Sand Castle building workshop and festival. I don't have pictures or stories from their workshop. But SLY sent pictures of the first and second place sand castle winners. I am still fantasizing about twilight on that beach.

Not that they second guess the judges, second place was their favorite.

Regardless of my feelings about twilight, I know HRH's favorite is early morning. A cup of tea with her tablet or tunes, alone before the start of the day. For our benefit, she does take a moment with her phone to snap the sunrise. Her message today, "Happy Sunday."

Good Morning from SPI

I'm waiting anxiously for pictures from the Sand Castle Workshop and Festival. We missed the opportunity to see one when we visited the Oregon coast.

But, HRH is keeping me going with wonderful sun-scapes. HRH reports, "We are on a barrier island. Sunrises from our lanai. Sunset from across the street the Laguna Madre side" 

I might have cast some mild aspersions on one of her sunsets because of the lack of waves. Of course, it was merely to motivate her to get a little more creative.

What a great name for a beach-side restaurant, Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar and Grill.

Late lunch, early dinner, who knows but there was definitely something in a long tall glass.

View from the Wanna Wanna Inn Beach Bar and Grill

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Day Two in South Padre

Google Earth shot of the Condo

When HRH gets home, she can show us where her condo was.

Her messages today say today was amazing. Sea Turtles, Bus ride. Sunset. Outstanding.

Ok, so apparently you can have so much fun and relaxation, the fact that your sister is sitting way up where the temperature is falling and we have no negative ions, is not sufficient reason to send more pictures.

Per HRH, "Sea Turtles Rock"

So it is day two of my vicarious vacation.

Yesterday, HRH and SLY drove from Corpus Christi to South Padre Island. This is about a 2.5 hour drive, unless HRH was driving. In which case, they may have gotten there a little sooner except for the stop at King Ranch. I don't know anything about her experience yet. Texting only goes so far, you know? I do remember when I was in school in the 60's they told us King Ranch was the largest cattle ranch in Texas.

Google Map view of the drive to Kings Ranch

I went onto King Ranch website to get some information. It is larger than Rhode Island and has many different tours, special events, and a museum. I'm anxious to hear her stories when she comes home next week.










HRH has been sharing some of the pictures so that we don't have to wait until next week for some of her stories, even if they are only my interpretation of the snapshots.

I can imagine HRH and SLY walking along the beach at sunset. I feel the warm autumn breezes and hear the tide coming in. Then they walk up the bluff to the white lighthouse against the black sky. Dang, does my sister take good pictures or what?











I have no details yet, but according her her Facebook posts, she is at Sea Turtle, Inc.

Her post pretty much says it all. No, not really. I want DETAILS. I'll keep sharing everything she sends me that doesn't involve her eating carb-filled casserole with her eyes rolled back in her head. But, I'm keeping the picture for future blackmail purposes.

Preview to HRH and SLY's tales...

She will tell her own story when she get's home. But, since neither CaDiva nor HRH blog even as frequently as do I, I will share what she tells me so far.

The intrepid travelers departed Des Moines in the wee small hours of Thursday morning, via an airline who shall remain nameless since they lost The Mom in Chicago. It was a long flight to Houston and then a puddle jump to Corpus Christi. The plane she boarded for the hop to Corpus held 49 passengers and a two-year old hyped on sugar who was seated behind HRH as she settled into her 27.3" wide seat. Enough said.

They got the rental car, no description yet, and found the first critical stop - WHATABURGER. It was HRH's first and she was more than satisfied.

Then they found the condo complex and settled in. She shared pictures from her balcony. She has a great view over a parking lot to the ocean. All she needs to do is lean back with her tea and tablet in the morning and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Snagged from HRH's FB timeline

She also shared a picture from the site of the sand castle building festival. I'm still trying to find a way to get them off my phone. She has tickets to attend a sand castle workshop. I am anticipating grand pictures.

The one bad news is red tide warning.

According to channel 4 CBS affiliate in South Padre "The bloom is caused by an algae commonly found in coastal areas. It's back with a vengeance this year, and its toxins are responsible for killing sea life and keeping beachgoers off the sand. In humans, red tide can cause coughing and sneezing."  They assured readers the sand castle festival will go on as planned.