At the street inexpiably named Tybressa, between 15th and 17th Streets, we turn left and stop at Bernie's where there's a line to get inside. Bypassing it, we stroll down the alley into the courtyard where Samuel Adams, Gordo and Davy are playing damn good live music on Tybee Island.
They break into grins as they see us and Sarah kisses each while they're performing. I love them too so I follow suite and also kiss them.
We commandeer a table, tackle a waiter and order.
Gordo leaves the stage to sit with us. We chat as good friends do between his harmonica solos. Sam chides and tells him to take the next verse so Gordo returns to his stool and adlibs "A Pirate Looks at 40" somehow morphing it into a Johnny Cash song.
Sarah and I laugh, feeling very much part of a family surrounded by the crowd of tourists.
Taking our leave, we stroll to where the Swinging Medallions are playing. The Pier is packed but we twist through the throng until we are close to the stage. They launch in "Double Shot of my Baby's Love" and I grab her hand and we dance.
I love dancing with Sarah, especially with our eyes lock and she flashes her Mona Lisa smile. For a minute we're the only people dancing on the Pier.
The band takes a break so we climb down the stairs to the soft cool sand of the beach. People are everywhere as picnics are spread as families listen to the band while waiting for the fireworks.
"Let's go watch them from the deck," I say so we leave the beach, twist through the crowd again and bump in Barri Marshall whose taking picture for Savannah Spotted. We embrace, she snaps our photograph and we retrieve our bikes.
At the end of Tybressa we hang a right and run right into Esther Guy and the gang at Fannies On the Beach. Sarah jumps off her bike and hugs Essie. There's no place in the bike rack so I lean them against the light post and the party immediately kidnaps us.
Amy Gaster, Joey Spalding, Al, Tee, Ann, Swanny and all manner of party people arrive and we settle in with them and watch the fireworks explode over the ocean.
Hugging everyone goodbye, we climb back on our bikes and navigate through the traffic jam to the quietness of the back side of the island. Goddess, Winston the little gay dog, and Gypsy the cat greet us with an incredible outpouring of affection. We smile as we exhale and relax.
Living on an island where thousands of other people vacation is a funny thing. There's always a circus somewhere. Sometimes its impossible to drive your car anywhere. Tackling waitresses is an acceptable form of social interaction. When emergencies occur, it's impossible to get on or off the island with it's one way in and one way out traffic jam.
But ... the pungent aroma of the marsh on a hot summer's day is the smell of sex in the Tropics. Miles and miles of clear blue skies above a sandy beach and vast ocean make me stop dead in my tracts every time. A sea breeze refreshes in ways that inland winds never do. Living in the middle of natures swimming pool is corrupting and my heart is filled with salt water.
We are a crazy people who live here. We're all running to or running from something or someone.
But dammit, there's just no better place to run.
_______________________________
An eccentric life dotted with eclectic characters pop from the pages of award winning author Micheal Elliott’s newest book Sandy Bottoms & Duct Taped Hearts. Over 200 pages of his musings immerse you in a world of headshaking wonder, gut wrenching laughter, heart touched tenderness and empathetic tears.
Never letting the truth stand in the way of a good story, Elliott’s ninth book takes you on a wild journey of “Wow! Really! I can’t believe that!” every day moments. Sandy Bottoms & Duct Taped Hearts exemplifies his gift of capturing common thoughts and painting them perfectly into words. Release date (pre-order books ship) is September 23, 2013.
Just lick on http://www.meellc.com/wordpress/newbook/
