Most people walking the beach are delighted to find pretty shells and sand polished beach glass. I, on the other hand, stop to inspect spiky fish bones, gnarly bits of wood and blobs of rock. It was one such rock, a treasure found in Crystal Beach, that gave birth to The Rock Man nearly six years ago. An unusual, yet familiar shape, I scooped it up and immediately saw the face of a weathered and wise man as his history raced through my imagination. It was only a head, but I knew right then I would search for, and reassemble, the rest of him. It took nearly three years of walking the same stretch of beach in front of The Seahoose, carefully inspecting all I came across that was particularly unusual or odd to find most of his parts. I say most, not all, as his evolution was interrupted by a formidable adversary, Ike, but what was not found I now know tells little of his story and is not missed.
Some finds were so extraordinary, like his boots, one foot in celebration of his female side, the other fit for combat; his look-out and life long friend; his faithful steed; his pipe which fit perfectly, and the most amazing of all, his child; I ran home with excitement to reunite them. His journey has brought him to Houston for the time being, but it’s clear in his eye he longs for the salt air and ocean sounds. I will bring him home one day soon, when he will pass his kingdom to his beloved child completing his quest, and stand watch proudly on a deck once more.
Only one part was added after the storm, a piece of the electrical system I found on my first trip back, an homage if you will to the magical energy of lives woven together through time which had been, and despite the horrific destruction, is once again Crystal Beach.
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