The Best Day Ever

I haven't blogged in quite awhile.  I have to be in the mood to write and life has a way of getting in the way.  I had a tough 4th quarter at school and many days I just wanted to run away and never look back. I seriously thought about not signing my contract for 12-13 and finding another way to earn a paycheck.  But as the proverb states; "This too shall pass" and it did.  A little time away from school did wonders for my attitude.  I enjoyed my two weeks at ASU Jonesboro, getting to know teachers from other areas, getting re-aquainted with former colleagues, and meeting new students. It was good for my morale and with a lighter heart I signed my contract yesterday.  But that is not what I intended to write about.  I want to tell you about our trip to Port Aransas.

Port Aransas is on the eastern tip of Mustang Island, TX.  You can come in from Aransas Pass and take the car ferry or you can come in from Corpus Christi, cross the causeway bridge and drive the length of the island.  We had never been there before.  The only beach in TX that I had been to was Galveston and I find it to be ugly there.  I have friends who have been to South Padre and they talk of its beauty but it was a little too far for us to travel.  I had never heard of Mustang Island until  a few years ago.  I picked up a Travel Texas magazine at the visitor's center and happened on to a page about Mustang Island and Port Aransas.  I thought it looked like a place that we would like, but forgot about it.  In 2008, Hurricane Ike damaged the area and the images were shown on the news.  Again, I forgot about it.  Earlier in the year (during my troubling 4th quarter) I was watching Burt Wolf Travels and he was in Port Aransas.  It captured my attention and seemed to lure me out of my deep dark funk.  I asked JC what he thought about vacationing there and got the standard "whatever you want to do Dear" answer.  I couldn't stop thinking about it and then another idea popped into my head.  My daughter, Misty, and her family live in McKinney, TX, which is halfway between my home and Mustang Island.  Maybe they would like to vacation with us!  I wasn't sure if they though a vaycay with the old folks would be fun, but to my surprise they agreed to go. 

Thus began the search for a beach house or condo that would house eight.  I began to panic as time after time I was told that everything was booked up for the week of July 4th.  We had to vacation that week because JC's company shuts down that week each year.  I finally sent an e-mail to every rental on the island stating our range of dates and budget, asking for input.  I got a reply from Beachcomber rentals.  We could get a cabana that sleeps 10, but only for 3 nights.  I took it and the plans began.

We arrived on the Island on Monday July 1st about 1 pm after a 7 1/2 drive from McKinney.  Drew, Lily and Reid were tired of being in the car and ready to see the beach.  We ate first at a seafood place called Fins.  I wouldn't recommend it if you're ever there.  It was over priced and the food wasn't good.  The service was pretty much non-existent.  We had to ask for a waiter to take our order.  The grandkids thought it was neat because the outside tables were on a deck over the harbor where you could see the boats and the gulls would come eat out of your hand.  They were too excited to eat anyway.  From there we found our cabana and got checked in.  It was a bit run down but good enough for country folks.  We were close to the beach and it was quiet.  We had  2 bbq grills and plenty of kitchen supplies so we didn't eat out much.  We had been told that there was only one IGA store on the island and that it was pricey.  That's true...and their credit/debit card machine went on the fritz.  There are few chains on the island.  We saw a Subway, a DQ, and a WhatABurger.  There's no WalMart or Dollar General.  You need to bring what you can with you.  Misty and Jason went out to a Roosevelt's Restaurant, which is fine dining, but were disappointed with the food and service there, though the other patrons were entertaining and they got to meet the mayor.   JC and I happened on to a seafood restaurant called Moby Dick's which I would recommend to anyone going there.  The food, prices and service were great.  Our waiter was a baseball player for A&M and he had traveled to Missouri to play ballgames.  We enjoyed talking with him.

Once we had settled into the cabana, the kiddos couldn't wait to hit the beach so we headed to the water.  Mustang Island beaches are not pretty like Florida and Alabama.  There's no white sugar sand and the seaweed washes in by the ton.  But it does have its merits. The water is warm and the waves are great for boarding.  The kids would ride the waves until they were exhausted.  Lily informed us that she loved the beach and wanted to live there forever.  The time flew by and before we knew it, our last night had arrived.  It was July 4th and we went to the fireworks display.  We all oohed and awed and clapped our hands.  As the fireworks finale was starting Lily looked at me and said, "Nana, this is just like on Sponge Bob. It's "The Best Day Ever."  That said it all for me.  All the driving and packing was worth it.

Spongebob Squarepants
The Best Day Ever lyrics

Songwriters: PALEY, ANDY / KENNY, THOMAS

Mr. Sun came up and he smiled at me.
Said it's gonna be a good one just wait and see.
Jumped out of bed and I ran outside, feeling so extra-ecstatic-fied.

It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)

I'm so busy got nothing to do,
Spent the last two hours just tie my shoe.
Every flower, every grain of sand, is reaching out to shake my hand.

It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)

Sometimes the little things start closing in on me,
When I'm feeling down, I wanna lose that frown
I stick my head out the window and I look around.

Those clouds don't scare me they can't disguise,
This magic that's happening right before my eyes.
Soon Mr.Moon will be shining bright,
So the best day ever can last all night.
Yeah the best day ever's gonna last all night now.

It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
It's the best day ever! (Best day ever)
(Best day ever)
(Best day ever)