As the days grew shorter and the shadows of autumn began to stretch their fingers across the sidewalks, we knew that the end of summer was near. I’ve always reveled in the simple joys of beach getaways, finding solace in the timeless rituals of saltwater waves and finely coarse sand spread across a beach towel.
This getaway felt different perched atop a 3rd floor balcony with a panoramic view of Galveston bay. The sunsets over the bay were like abstract masterpieces, each evening painting a vibrant interplay of reds, oranges, and violets. After the setting of the sun we gathered on the balcony, sipping chilled beer and savoring plates of fresh seafood.
Our days were filled with laughter and adventure as we explored the nearby boardwalk, Pleasure Pier, a relic of a bygone era. My son’s boisterous giggles filled the air as he rode the merry-go-round, his face warmly lit with the joy of summers’ last moments.
The crowning jewel of the boardwalk, standing like a proud giant, was the Ferris wheel. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we boarded the modern reassuring gondolas, our hearts despondent with the knowledge that the end of summer was upon us.
As the Ferris wheel slowly ascended, we gazed out over the shimmering bay, the lights of the town twinkling in the distance. Amongst moments of quiet reflection, we savored the fleeting moments of another gone by August.
Holding hands, sharing the unspoken bond of love and the tradition of highway adventures, we cherished the simple pleasures of a beach getaway, seafood combos, potent margaritas, and the eternal beauty of large undulating water masses.
IIn that fleeting moment, we understood that while summer may end, the embrace of family and the charm of the seaside would beckon us yet again in another season, not so different from the eternal waves kissing the shore, each one stretching just a little bit beyond the last.