A perfect day at the beach
Horseneck Beach State Park, MA
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As we head into a long and extremely rainy Memorial Day weekend I'm enjoying reliving our past two POD excursions to Horseneck Beach State Park. Horseneck Beach is one of our favorite places to escape to - this park is easy to get to, not too big, very basic and picture perfect!
Our first visit was just over a week ago - May 18th - 21st. It was our first extended stay in the POD and since this state park has no hook ups (electric/water) we were making sure that all our off-grid systems were working well.
A choice spot!
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We settled into our favorite camping spot - on the end of the front row with a full ocean view! The sound of the waves and the sweeping clouds made the best company and we fully enjoyed the stillness that being in nature envelopes us with. Truthfully, I had not been this relaxed and peaceful in over a year! In the middle of our second day there both Tim and I felt that we had been there a week!!
We walked and we biked every day because the weather was simply glorious. And we tried to figure out a "traveling" exercise routine...... Normally, we each start our days with @ 40 min of yoga/stretching or floor exercises. Because of space constraints that is difficult to do in the POD so we tried to work on some modifications because it will become more crucial as we begin to travel more and for longer periods of time.
At the western edge of the campground there is a 2 mile bike/walking path between the dunes from the campground to the large public beach. The dunes are filled with both pink and white rosa rugosa and are the perfect habitat for the nesting plovers this time of year. We have often seen mothers herding their chicks up over the dunes away from the path! From the east there is a small path out to a road which takes one over a small causeway to Goosberry Island (Gumby's Head on some maps). We love to walk out there - the east side of the island is mostly sandy and usually quite calm while the western side is very rocky with a much more active surf. Approximately 2 miles from the island - along a coastal road - is a small restaurant we often bike to for an afternoon meal, The Bayside. They have generous outdoor seating and views of Allen's Pond Wildlife Sanctuary across the road. The food is excellent.
Western edge of Gooseberry Island
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Tim spent much of his time working on a POD manual. Since it is his "creation" he realized he needed to begin documenting all the how-tos and where-ares! This seems like a perfect follow-up project for him ..... and it should take some time. When I wasn't simply staring at the sky and letting my mind wander and relax I did spend time reading and doing a bit of drawing.
We did not want to see these four days come to a close......
absolute perfection!
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Literally before we left the campground I went online to see if there was any single date available the following week. We so wanted to take Rosie there for an overnight! Which is how we ended up back there on Thursday, the 27th with Rosie all excited about a new adventure.
A fish in the making.....
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Thursday morning arrived and we knew that an impeccable beach day was in the making. Check in time at the campground isn't until 1 pm so we headed first to the public beach so Rosie could get some sand and surf time in before we went to the campground. The beach was pretty crowded for a mid week day but the sun was shining and the waves were crashing and.... well.... she LOVED it! Mostly fearless she tried jumping over the waves, tried pushing them back, yelling at them, and was fascinated by the strength of the waves as they pulled her legs back into the ocean.
As soon as we got to the campground she wanted to head to the water again! Unstoppable. Bucket in hand we collected lots of shells, rocks, 1 dead crab, and, of course, we were back in the water numerous times. By the end of a very full day in the sun day we were all in need of some quiet time. Rosie calmed herself with an art project and Tim and I calmed ourselves with a beverage........
how big is your world?
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traveling art show
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We cooked dinner outside (on our butane burner sitting on top of the pit grill!) so that Rosie could have a full camping experience. She was so eager and helpful and the full day obviously gave her quite the appetite because she ate a hot dog AND a piece of chicken!
perfectly helpful; in every way
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The day ended with watching the sun set - brilliantly orange as it dipped below the horizon. Rosie had never seen a totally unobstructed sunset before and she was in awe! It was difficult for me to decide what to look at - the beauty of this rich sunset or the stunning curiosity and wonder on Rosie's face.......
guess what I chose?
That evening we sat in the cab windows as twilight came and talked of life and camping and the ocean and where the sun goes on the other side of the world. I read "Digging to China" by Donna Rawlins to Rosie as we settled into bed. This was a book that Tyler loved as a child and the first time I've read it to Rosie. It was perfect.
The following morning, after breakfast, we had a beach walk at the campground, checked out by our 11 am check out time and then proceeded to drive over to Gooseberry Island to wander the the beaches there.
leading the way
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We walked for close to 2 miles - which, in retrospect, was a bit too much for Rosie. But she was a champion and held up until very close to the end. She was excited to get home and see her Mom and Dad - one night and close to 2 days away is just perfect right now for her. And for us - we each get special time with her and .... its probably just the perfect amount of time right now for us.
Gooseberry Island
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meeting of the minds......
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