It's great to be back by the water, driving the seemingly endless coastal plains, threading our way through tidal marshes and shallow bays full of shorebirds. I'm probably really annoying to drive behind on the narrow bridges that span these bays. Actually I'm probably always annoying to drive behind, but especially on the bridges because I tend to slow down and watch the birds -- cormorants, pelicans, eagles, ospreys, gulls and the always present Great Blue Heron. 

Generally though the driving here is pretty relaxed. The tallest hill is the occasional tall bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway. For the most part I can kick back, foot on the dash, coffee nearby and enjoy the salty muddy smell of the marsh in the morning. I love that the most dilapidated of marinas are the ones still standing after Harvey. The beat up rundown bait shacks and seafood dives still line the waterfront in many places, faded gray wood sidings, collapsing docks missing half their planks.

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Then the road breaks away from the bays and plows straight through a sea of brown reeds and marsh grass that stretch as far as the eye can see.

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