Sun and Storm

Oh no, I'm hitting the one-month mark again -- I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I am not a very disciplined blogger. "Discipline" and "blog" -- somehow those two words just don't seem to go together.

We just returned from our annual Thompson/Murray vacation at St. George Island, Florida -- a vacation that has, for the past two years, coincided with my birthday. This birthday was particularly special, however, since I weathered it in the midst of, well, some pretty nasty weather. Yes, we caught the front end of lovely tropical storm Arlene. Now, you might expect some complaining at this point, but on the contrary, I must say it was one of the more awe-inspiring experiences of my life (although whale-watching in Boston still holds the top spot). We were fortunate to have perfect weather all week until the storm rolled in on Friday. Not many of the 14 residents of Smiley's Beach Getaway slept very soundly that night as the winds buffetted our incredibly posh sleeping quarters. And the waves on Saturday morning were unlike anything I've ever seen firsthand. It was the kind of experience that reminds you how small and fragile we are (props to Sting). I hated to miss one last day of sun on the beach and playing in the ocean, but this was a new adventure after all. I do have to admit, though, I wasn't too sad to drive over the bridge and get back on the mainland, and I was even more relieved when we turned north and away from the shore.

By the way, the most amazing thing about the whole vacation...none of the very pale Thompson three got sunburned!!!