Replies

(I guess I am not alone in wonderful memories tonight)

This from two posters on the KHOU forum:

Dear Michelle,

The media may not be giving the attention which Bolivar deserves but know please....WE CARE. The hundreds of thousands of people who have year after year flocked to Bolivar not just for the beautiful beaches. But for the people.

I spent 40 years visiting Bolivar when I lived down there. Spent my best birthdays on Bolivar. The memories are too numerous to mention...but the wade fishing, the meteor shower in the early 1990’s, the restaurants.

Through the night last night and all day today we have been glued to the info on Bolivar. I was telling my husband about an hour ago how the thing about Bolivar is the PEOPLE.

Bolivar was always a place I could go as a single woman and know I could camp on the beach and not be bothered. I can’t tell you how many times I loaded the dog, beach bike and fishing pole and made a spontaneous trip to Bolivar on little money...and always had a great time. The locals were always so accepting. A quality that is so hard to find. I would go down by myself and end up with a group of residents joining the pow-wow. I was asked into homes for dinner, and often went. Offered to shower whenever I wanted. I just loved to camp next to the waves and surf fish.

When a place is in your heart like that, it doesn’t leave. When people touch your heart like that...they remain. Our prayers, our tears, our hopes are with all of you. Please do not feel alone. We are out here. Watching the same TV you are...hanging on for info, with pain in our hearts for you. CNN, TWC may not know who you are but we do.....KNOW THAT!!!!!!!!!!

~Dee

Thanks Dee,

I know people loved Crystal Beach. It was a magical place, and it is so because of the people. I have never lived anywhere to equal it’s openness and generosity of spirit. I have met people myself, a young couple, who has scrounged their pennies for a Bolivar Honemoon in the beach, with a tent and a few bags of chips.

I met them in Gilchrist, at the Firehouse Restauarant, and I handed them the keys to a room a my bed and breakfast I operated at the time. They could not believe anyone would do such a thing.

They stayed for two nights, and left a touching thank you note, a sparklingly clean room behind, and with them, they took memories of that will last a lifetime.

I have been invited to other’s home when I had nothing to eat at my own. I had struggles of my own and was looked after on that beach in my toughest times.

The people were different. Some were running from the law. Some just plain loved the sea. Some were brilliant entrpreneurs who preferred to live a quite, simple life where no one knew them or about their hordes of cash. Some were well-meaning ne’er-do-wells. Some were downright crazy. If it is true what they say, there will bever be another place like that again. It was one in a million.

You never knew who you were going to meet, but there was no way you couldn’t meet somebody. The friendliness was unparalled. Sit in a bar, and someone would just start chatting within a minute or two. Walk down the beach, and you would find a hot dog in your hand and a cold beer, and find tyourself included in a lively conversation around a bonfire. There was no such thing as a stranger in Crystal Beach.

Thank you for expressing your affection for that sandy place. I hope it bounces back with all my heart.

~Michelle