Pollen and Beaches

The pollen is crazy down here. There is a yellow coating on all the cars and I can't imagine what I'm inhaling. This is probably why I have an intense sinus headache. I have washed the cars twice in the past week but you would never know it. Sunday I rinsed the cars off because the yellow dust was so thick it discolored our cars. Then the water ran across the parking area like yellow paint. Yuck. It's supposed to rain tonight which will be much needed to wash away all the allergens in the air. Even Steve and Will are itchy. Of course the rain will wash the pollen into ditches where it will become a sticky paste but at least it's not floating in the air as much. It's pleasant outside and you want to open the windows to let the fresh air in, but the fresh air also carries all the nasty stuff that makes me and Matt feel bad.

We plan on going to the beach on Saturday if there's no rain. I can't wait to take a good book and my comfortable chairs and just enjoy the sound of the ocean. I don't get down there enough. It's harder to get to the beach when you're not actually living on the beach. My experiences with the beach before have always been from my condos in Gulf Shores or Destin. Whenever we needed a sun break or a snack or the bathroom, the facilites were just a short walk away. I could be indoors and comfortable pretty quickly. But when the beach is a few hours away from home it's harder. You have to pack extra clothes, food, toilet paper, drinks, chairs, beach towels, bath towels, entertainment, sunscreen, chap stick and tons of other stuff that before I was able to just leave in the room. But despite some extra baggage to carry, it's worth it because these beaches have an element you can't get in Destin or Gulf Shores. There are no condos to be seen. It's just miles and miles of fresh beach, you step from the woods of your campsite onto the white sands and gulf waters. It's pretty amazing. They call this area "The Forgotten Coast" and I can see why. I hope no one "remembers" it either.