Skimming the surface...

...or not.

So the villa we stayed in had a skim board in the closet. And our group of landlubbers just knew they'd be able to throw it down and take off. Oh, they took off all right. It was how they landed that drew the chuckles and stares. And they weren't all from us.

Mindy and Ashley were the ones that gave it their utmost. These two girls have been the best of friends since before they can remember. Which brings great joy to me and Ashley's mom. Because we've been the best of friends since we were 15 years old. That's a long, long, long time. And they are so much like us that it makes it even more sweet. Just as in our friendship, their relationship is something of a cross between Lucy and Ethel and Laverne and Shirley.

Mindy pulled a Mindy about 30 seconds into her first attempt. I have a photo of the exact moment of impact, and let's just say it isn't all that flattering. And when the jig is up and the girls find these pictures here on the old blog, it's better for my health if that one isn't among them. I think, though, the ones I am including ought to give you a little insight into the whole experience. That and a good laugh.

I'm pretty sure the board is supposed to skim the surface of the water. And I'm pretty sure they could have used a little instruction. Too bad for them that by the time they admitted they needed help, the only capable skim boarder in sight was about seven years old.

Eventually, they kind of got the hang of it. Sort of. Enough for me to take a couple of seemingly respectable photos. Photos that would be a lot more respectable if the skim board wasn't two feet away or submerged in six inches of water.

But, as the saying goes, it's not the destination, it's the journey. And I'm pretty sure they had a great trip.

original blog date July 19, 2010