I’ve lived in Texas for almost 15 years, but I’ve never been to South Padre Island – until today that is.  I was here speaking at The 16th Annual Juvenile Justice Title IV-E Conference.  I had a ton of work to do after my last session, but everytime I peeped out my hotel window, I  swear I heard the beach calling me.  I grabbed my  flipflops and sunglasses, and scurried down to the soft, beige sand.  “Just a few minutes here”, I thought, “and then I’ll break out the laptop.”

Two hours later I’m making my way back to the room, with feet and ankles covered in sand and a huge smile on my face.  I had a blast!  Just walking, and feeling the warm Gulf water and the not-too-bright sun, and seeing the clear sky…. and all the other people doing the same.  It was calming and exhilarating at the same time.  And best of all, it didn’t cost me a dime!

And to think, I was going to make a ‘mall run’ after finishing my work, because I wouldn’t dare visit a new city without checking out the local shopping!  I shudder to think what I might have spent on knick knacks, and trinkets in exchange for a priceless experience.