A Lot of Doing Nothing

June 7, 2022 - Reading time: 8 minutes

Today was exactly the self-care kind of day that I envisioned.  

Last night, I slept with ear plugs and the black out curtains drawn.  Then I figuratively died.  Didn’t wake once. Not even to tinkle. No joke. This morning, I woke up when I woke up….without any time constraints whatsoever (which just happened to be 6:44 local time).  Not going to lie.  It was heaven. 

Looking out the window, the sun had risen over Biloxi Bay, but was low enough to indicate a comfortable temperature.  The fishing pier beckoned.  It is adjacent to the casino parking lot and runs parallel to the Bay Bridge.  Y’all…it’s a mile long. For real. Check out the map image below. 

I fixed a quick cup of hotel coffee, strapped on the walking shoes and hit the sidewalk.  So peaceful.  A few folks were fishing and I witnessed the coolest thing: Great Blue Herons standing like sentinels just feet away from three different people casting their lines.  Occasionally a fisherman would toss a bait scrap towards their bill. It was downed in one quick gulp and then the soldier stance immediately resumed with a patient resolve.  What majestic fishing buddies! 

After working up a good sweat it was time to chill by the pool.  Vegas and Atlantic City have their fair share of resort casino properties, but the Palace Casino pool in Biloxi, MS is pretty dang sweet on a Tuesday.  I’m sure it’s not as glitzy, but it is not overrun with people and has the nicest staff of attendants and servers.  

I stayed out there for hours.  Reading a beachy paperback (which was ironically set on Sullivan’s Island), sipping on hard seltzer, and noshing on peanut butter pretzels and apple slices between dips in the water.  More heaven.  

One leisurely late afternoon shower later,  I was starving.  A short Google search for nearby beach front dining turned up a little gem known as The Reef,  with a second story rooftop bar and killer spicy Ahi tacos.  They had local beers on tap, too. The sea breeze was divine and afterwards I took a small walk along the shore for an obligatory toe dip in the Gulf.  This section of the coast is liberally dotted with cozy beach dives and if you look closely you’ll spot the surfside Waffle House nestled between them for closing time emergencies. This town thought of everything. 

It’s only been one day of “do nothing” solitude, but I am so blissfully recharged.  And the best is yet to come.  I get to hug my boys before the sun sets tomorrow.  Life is good and I am so grateful.