RIP Crystal Beach
Today I am just very, very sad. Hurricane Ike landed on the coast of Texas Saturday morning and laid waste to a huge stretch of coastline from Louisiana to South Texas. It’s devastating for all those who live there, but it’s a bit of a personal loss for me, too. Every year for the last 6 or so years, LJ and I have been going to Crystal Beach with our best friends, Kim and Keith. Crystal Beach is on Bolivar Peninsula, and according to the report in the Dallas Morning News today, none of the businesses only a few of the houses survived the storm. NONE of the businesses! Think about it. That’s a community wiped out!
In years past, the four of us would rent a beachfront cottage from Swede’s. We had our favorites - Herman’s HIdeaway, Rhea’s Retreat, the blue one I can’t think of the name of right now.
LJ on deck at Crystal Beach
We had a routine, being creatures of habit the four of us. We would arrive on Thursday and have a huge, juicy burger at Bob’s. We’d go the grocery store and load up on food, and then go to Milt’s for freshly caught shrimp. Thursday night was always a shrimp boil and beer on the balcony overlooking the gulf. What a way to kick off a long weekend!
Friday we would take the ferry back over to Galveston and just knock around. The ferry rides back and forth between Bolivar and Galveston were a huge part of the fun. You never tire of watching the dolphins leaping gracefully out of the water. In Galveston, Kim and I would go to the antique stores and we’d stop in the beach shops and buy T-shirts and flip flops and other trivia we didn’t really need. Right now I’m wearing my Flo-Jo flip flops I got in Galveston a couple of years ago. Friday night was always steaks cooked outside on the grill. Nights on the beach just listening to the water are hypnotic. LJ and Keith would stay out way after Kim and I would hit the sack.
Saturday nights we always went to Stingeree for dinner. They had the BEST killer margaritas ever! And great seafood. There is something to be said for overindulgence. Overindulgence in moderation is a good thing. (I’m sending that to Martha Stewart. Do you think she’ll thank me?) Our last night on the beach was always bittersweet. We’d had so much fun, but we knew we’d come back the next year.
Until now. I’m really afraid Crystal Beach is gone. Even if it does come back, it will be years, and it will never be the same.
No recipe today. Just boil up some shrimp and eat it with red sauce.