Waffles, Tourists, and the Color of the Ocean

Waffles, Tourists, and the Color of the Ocean

🌼 Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

⚡ Energy: Vacation Vibes with a Side of Tourist Mode

💓 Status: Finally on the Ship!

🌞 Outlook: Let the Floating Birthday Party Begin

We woke up in Galveston knowing we couldn’t check in to board the ship until 1:00pm, which meant we had a little time to kill.

So naturally, we decided to do something we cannot do in Oregon…

We went to Waffle House.

Now listen — when you’re traveling somewhere that has a Waffle House and you don’t, you kind of have to go. It’s basically a tourist obligation.

So the six of us piled in for breakfast and, like the complete dorks we are, we took a group photo in front of the sign afterward.

Because if you don’t take a picture in front of Waffle House, did you even really go?

After breakfast we returned the rental car and headed toward the cruise port, but on the way we spotted the perfect tourist stop along the Gulf.

Naturally we pulled over to take a quick selfie like the professional vacationers we are.

Then it was finally time.

We boarded the ship.

And just like that…

Vacation officially began.

Our room was a balcony cabin at the very back of the ship, which is my absolute favorite place to be. Once we got settled and the ship started moving, I stepped out onto the balcony to watch the water behind us.

And there it was.

My favorite color in the world.

Not pink.
(Not even hot pink.)

This unbelievable teal/jade/aquamarine color that only shows up in the water when the ship cuts through the ocean.

I don’t know exactly what the right name for it is, but it’s the most beautiful color I’ve ever seen.

Every night on a cruise, before I go to bed, I step out onto the balcony for one last look at the ocean.

It’s quiet.
The air smells like salt.
And the water behind the ship stretches out forever.

It’s my favorite little moment of the whole trip.

And this time, after everything the past year has thrown at us…

Standing there watching that color in the water felt like the perfect way to begin this birthday cruise.

💗 Tina –
One Badass Day at a Time