The rest of the story

Wednesday May 2, 2012
Oscar Scherer State Park Site 95

 

 

After our South Creek kayak trip in the morning we come back, have a little lunch and take off for the beach.

 

We get David’s big chair and our two little ones settled under the TIBU.

 

The beach is looking fine.   The clouds are looking a little disconcerting.

 

 

I take a walk along the beach going North and check out some of the cute little rentals on the Gulf shore front.  I’m surprised they haven’t been bought up and torn down for bigger more elaborate digs as happens in most beach front communities.  I really like the little old places myself.

 

 

 

 

The paddle boarders are out today. 

Sorry you weren’t here Eldy.
I’ve never done paddle boarding and don’t actually know anyone who has so if you have, what’s it like?

 

David is enjoying it too.
I think he’s looking thin having lost about 15 pounds
but there’s still a smile on his face.
Hmmmm  does paddle boarding have something to do with this?

 

 

 

As the day wanes a lone sailboat looks picturesque far out on the water

 

This is my kind of watercraft for BIG waters.
If anyone has one and wants a passenger,  I’m SO there.
Just let me know!

 

About 6:00 the drummers of all ages and persuasions start setting up.  

 

 

 

We move our chairs just behind the circle that the main man has drawn in the sand.  Lots of others circle up too.  

 

Inside that circle he draws a medicine wheel in the sand and an alter is erected in its middle. 

 

 

Since this is the second time we’ve been to the Wednesday drumming we recognize that there seems to be a core cast of characters.   Here are a couple of them.

We call these two the Main Man and the Big Woman.
They aren’t together but clearly know each other.

 

Then we all have to move.

Things are just getting underway when the thunder starts. 
Then rain drops, then more drops and someone makes the decision to “move it into the pavilion”.  So all the equipment and all the people and all their chairs move.

 

Now the pavilion is very nice but not anywhere near as nice an atmosphere for the drumming and dancing and of course by the time everyone gets there, the rain lightens up and eventually stops.  But the drummers, the dancers-everyone make the best of it.  They even move the alter in to around one of the poles.  But the dancing area and the spectators areas are both too small.

 

Main Man and Big Woman  in action.

 

 

There is a lot of mumbling about “why did we come in here for those little sprinkles.  Everything is fine now”  And about then comes the downpour that shuts everyone up and justifies the move. 

And then we move again.

With about 30 minutes to go before sunset, the skies lightened up and they move it BACK out onto the beach.   So we all traipse out again.  At that point, things really get underway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This guy is SO intent on his rattles as the drumming went on and on and on.  Such concentration.  Look at that tongue.

 

And of course the fans love it all.

 

The rhythms intensify as the sun dips lower in the sky

 

 

 

A BIG cheer goes up as the sun slips into the Gulf. 
The drumming and dancing go on into the dark but we are tired puppies and headed for home. 

If you are ever near Venice on a Wednesday or a Saturday, don’t miss this fun.  Tell the Main Man and the Big Woman that those folks with the cameras said HI!