Tybee Island Lighthouse

 

Tybee Island Light house

 

  My friend Pam, invited me  to Tybee Island with her husband and son. 

   Pam wasn’t feeling well, she stayed home, sending John, Calvin and I off to find breakfast. We waited in a long line. It must be good no one is leaving in any hurry. It was good. Calvin ordered this monstrosity of a burrito with some dog crap looking stuff beside it. Apparently he thought the same thing as he didn’t touch it until I asked what is that? He didn’t know, he ventured a taste. Salsa! He spread it on what was left of his burrito and acted like it was good. I had my doubts... 

   Pam felt better when we got back to the room.

     My new sandals look sweet, and they are very comfortable. I don't wear heels of any kind. these sandals have a one inch heel clog type sole.  We have not walked anywhere thus far. I'll look good while riding in the golf cart with my new white shorts and sandals. 

     We found a guy gave us directions to the lighthouse.  The guy charged me full price until Pam piped up, "she is a senior!"

   Hey girl I’ll pay full price if he thinks I’m that young. I took my senior discount and went to find shade. 

   The lighthouse in Oregon  was straight up 170 some feet, if you rested, you held up the line. I was much younger,  It wasn't pretty, I did get the button for making it to the top. 

   I figured if my friend can make it to the top of this lighthouse sick that morning, surely I can make it.  I started climbing. Every twenty-five feet we could stop get out of the way of traffic, look out the window enjoy the view and catch our breath. This lighthouse will be like a cake walk. 

   By the fifth rest area, my little toe in my sandals began to complain, my calves let me know they do not like this part of the vacation.  My sister called. I stayed at the 'rest area' a bit longer pretending i may lose service if I leave. My sister said something about, you're almost to the top. I said goodbye and headed up that last set of stairs. Good thing as the strap of my sandal is trying to cut my toe in half and the toe is screaming in protest.   Do I dare take off my shoe and risk who knows what germs people carry on the bottom of their shoes to collect on my bare feet?

 (I was a firm believer in the 5 second rule if I dropped a something on the floor,  until my darling daughter explained, people walk in dog poop, they walk on floors that the toilet overflowed and no one properly mopped and they just walked where my cookie just fell. I tossed the cookie.  Do I really want my bare feet on those germs? No).

   I tried to loosen the strap, it didn't budge.  I made it to the sixth level. My sister LIED!! I was NOT at the top. I have another flight to go!! Oh just wait until I see her again. I will give her a piece of my mind! Well not too much... apparently anyone that thinks they can climb a light house tower in heels shouldn’t be giving their brain cells away.  I stood like a flamingo on one foot to  relieve the pressure a little bit. The ball of my left foot said oh no you don't.  I braced myself, gritted my teeth and made it the last twenty-five feet. I am at the top of the light house. 

   Outside was beautiful I could see a ship out in the ocean, the beach was littered with tents and people  up and down the beach. We could see for miles. The breeze from below was now more like gale force winds as it whipped my hair around my face.  It tried to steal my hat. I would hate to see it fly away like a bird set free.

   Moving around the walkway,  "Excuse me, Pardon me,"  as I made my way around the outside to see the view from every side. Snapping pictures and taking a video that  no one will want to watch except me.  

    There wasn't much room at the top, I went inside to get out of the way... the black stairs haunted me. I have to go back down .   I waved at my friends, explained, "I will meet you on the ground." I wasn’t sure if I would be on my feet or my bottom but I was going down.

   I made it to the bottom with the balls of my feet, arches, insteps, toes and calves all in one giant chorus of screaming pain.  I hobbled to a rocking chair. Relief.