It’s my fourth (or maybe fifth) year joining the Loibl’s on their annual beachfront getaway at Cape San Blas. Today is the big move-in day, and let me tell you, it’s a glorious mess. Imagine a bunch of stray cats blindly bumping into each other while unpacking, organizing, and settling into their new digs.
Oh boy, it’s hot out there. I stepped onto the patio, looked around, and to myself I just muttered, “Damn.” That’s how steamy and sticky it is – enough to make anyone break a sweat.
Here I am, propped up against the wall with my laptop, watching as family members vanish one by one – either to the pool or some other spot in this massive house. No worries, though. The oldies’ anthem, “It’s a beautiful morning,” is blaring through the Bluetooth speaker, setting the vibe for the pool-goers. And since the pool’s water is apparently “as warm as bathwater,” I figure it’s prime time to bond with Dave’s brother Matt inside the house.
Dinner is the usual gig – homemade macaroni salad and chicken salad with a hint of pineapple, along with pita bread and some kickass homemade pickled onions and beets. Meals are a ritual, and a moment ago I spied Dave’s other brother Tim giving a serious look to that printout of the excel spreadsheet detailing each night’s meal.
With dinner wrapped up, the spotlight shifts to the upcoming sunset. Clear skies, no clouds in sight! And hold on, is that a meteor shower on the horizon? Looks like I’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight. It’s been ages since I last spotted a shooting star streaking across the sky.
Taking a moment, I head up to my room and plop myself down on a lime green Adirondack chair through the glass slider. The sun’s already tucked away, leaving behind a mesmerizing blend of pink cotton candy swirls and shades of charcoal gray. As close to perfection as it gets, I lean back, letting my focus blur a bit, conjuring up faces and fantastical scenes from the clouds. Yep, I’m totally nailing this whole vacation thing.
I’ll check back in tomorrow. Thanks for dropping in. Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 