Helmet Head

It was another cloudy day at the beach, so we saddled up and went biking. Now I rather enjoy biking, and each time I go out and do it I'll comment to myself that I should really do itmore often. Julian was my biking partner, he being the oldest child, and the other two not yet out of training wheels. Julian likes biking to, or perhaps he just likes exploring, because when we go biking together, we explore every street and side street of Higgin's Beach, then down to the Higgin's Beach Market and along neighborhoods of Rt 77 (I think it's Rt. 77).

On this day, we biked for almost two hours. Evidence of our exhertion is on my son's sweaty head. Those streaks across the crown of his head are from the bike helmet. 

Ooooooh, that's cold!!

Low tide at Higgin's Beach, with the "Big Rock" still riding high in the water. Waves are awesome at Higgin's Beach, although they were pint size this day. Still, I love how water crawls all the way up your back when you turn from the oncoming wave. It's so cold, and you're never sure if you should scream or if you should laugh. Often, you do a little of both. 

Foraging

 

Hermit Crab Hunting Season

Every year when we go to the beach for our vacation week, among the most popular of activities (aside from swimming, exploring the old shipwreck, building sand castles, riding bikes) is collecting hermit crabs. The kids will grab a bucket from under the cottage porch -- hopefully one that doesn't have a hole in the bottom of it -- and take it down to the beach hoping for low tide. When the water rolls back over the rocks, and the tide pools are open, there is an intense hunt for hermit crabs.

I never shared this fascination of collecting tiny sea creatures and putting them in a bucket, and I really don't understand it. I confess, I'm trying to break my children of this habit, as well.

Why deprive their curious little minds of this opportunity to scientifically explore and interact with nature? Because it's wanton murder, pure and simple.

You see, once we collect the crab snails, and we just HAVE to bring them back to the cottage -- so they'll be safe. In a bucket of a dozen snails, at least 2-3 are dead by morning. The next day, we invariably forget to return said hermit crabs on our daily sojourn to the beach ... and by the time we remember them later that afternoon, the remaining lot are dead.

This is followed by watery eyes and tears at the loss of our new pets, and the ritual "returning to the sea" of nature's bounty. And although we go through this ritual every year (sometimes 2-3 times during the same vacation week), I never seem able to convince them of the folly of their ways. Beach time is simply open hunting season on Hermit Crabs. 

The Old Shipwreck

There is a shipwreck on Higgin's Beach where my family vacations in the summer time. At high tide, it is completely covered, but at low tide, it can be explored by fascinated children (of all ages). The ship is the Howard W. Middleton, which struck a ledge off Higgin's Beach on August 11, 1897. The Howard W. Middleton was a coastal schooner, bound for Portland with a load of coal, and heavy fog accounted for her sailing too close to shore. The next month, a storm drove the vessel further towards shore and onto the beach.

This happened in 1897, but I can still remember talking walks to the shipwreck with my parents, and finding huge chunks of coal that had been washed up by the waters. Not so any more, but the shipwreck is still a place of great adventure and exploration, every time we visit the beach.

Shown below is a picture of the ship from 1897, before it was pushed up to it's final resting place.

 

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called "Rainbow Bridge" . When an animal passes away who has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows, hills, lakes and streams for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm, comfortable, and safe. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are very happy and content.....except for one small thing. They each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but a day comes when one will suddenly stop and stare into the distance. His bright eyes widen and are intent. His eager body quivers in anticipation.

Suddenly he begins to run from the group...flying over the green grass. His legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face. Your hands again caress their beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting, loving eyes of your friend, who was gone from your life.....but who was never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge....together.

We miss you, Honey! 

Giant Squid!!!

We had a foggy week at the beach, but sometimes those can be great fun. Like when you're talking a long walk, and in the distance you see a great big lump washed up on the beach.

"What's that, Dad?"
"I don't know ... it's really foggy today. What does it look like?"
"Oh, my ... Dad! It's a GIANT SQUID!!"
"Do you really think so?"

We got a little closer, and our squid turned out to be an uprooted tree, but it was still an adventure to explore! 

Born in the Sign of Water

I was born in the sign of water. Growing up, and even still, I could spend all day in the ocean. When I went for a swim, all my friends would be in and out of the water after a short dip. I lounged in the ocean for hours, no matter how cold the waters. I would come out of the surf, cold to the core of my bones, retreat to the cottage and spend long minutes under a steaming hot shower head. Hot and Cold. Zen, and the Art of Swimming -- perfect balance. 

Footsteps

"Daddy, I like walking with you on the beach, because you show me where my footsteps should go."