I know, I know. This is going to be the longest series of posts with the longest time between them ever.

But someday, when I’m old and gray, and I tell my grandchildren that I actually did have an adventure once upon a time, I’m going need photos to prove my silly stories.

Since Carolyn and I missed the Turtle Conservatory the first night, we decided to take a drive up and check out the little guys. We asked if they might do a release that evening and they agreed! We were so excited and couldn’t wait to tell the group the news that we would see a release on our last evening!

While we were there, Melissa called with a super covert mission idea. Would we be up for going to the resort to get a birthday cake? Yes! YES!

We set out on our mission, full of giggles and excitement. We went to the resort restaurant and explained what we were hoping for. Nope – not one piece. Nope – not two pieces. An entire cake.

They told us they had a pie – an apple pie! Now, if you know sweet Nancy, you know apple pie is her thing. A few years ago, she taught me her secret family recipe, so I knew this had to be it.

As we waited, they came out and asked us if we would like ‘Happy Birthday’ written on it. We agreed and then they asked us how to spell her name. We wrote it on a napkin and they disappeared to the back kitchen. Slowly, we watched everyone in the restaurant head back to the kitchen. We heard bursts of laughter and we couldn’t imagine what on earth was going on!

You guys. They had cut the pie up and written everything on the plate. It was absolutely precious. They even followed us to the car and carried it out for us. Seriously charming, amazing people.

We may or may not have also purchased most of a chocolate cake for those of us who adore chocolate in all circumstances.

After polishing off dessert, we headed out to the Turtle Conservatory to see the release. 5:15 rolled around, then 5:30. I was disappointed but figured that I had misunderstood. We watched the sunset and listened to the waves. We met three college roommates who were celebrating their 20th year of friendship. In college, they couldn’t afford to do anything on the weekends, so they would go out and sing their troubles away to the ocean together. They allowed me to stand with them and enjoy their song and their joy while my heart remembered the friends I’ve been lucky enough to know in my life.

Then suddenly, we heard a jeep pull up and there they were – the turtles!

We released turtles into the ocean and wished them very well on their journey. I named my turtle ‘Noah’, which I was sure would give him a better chance at making it through the first 40.

The next day, it was time to say goodbye to the magic. I headed up to the resort to return the platter.

I was wandering around with my head in the clouds. And you guys. I tripped. Right there. With the platter. It didn’t break, but oh my pride. A man with a cane came over to help me up. And just like that, the magic was over. Back to my clumsy self and home to the most amazing family in the universe.