Elizabeth in Cape May

On Friday we drove to Cape May to show Elizabeth the prettiest beach at the very end of New Jersey... tricky driving to Cape May on a Friday-- the traffic is usually horrendous on any road going to a beach, but we did OK and it took about an hour and forty-five minutes. So here we are, all settled on the beach at Camp Bishop...

One of our first priorities is always to set up a shady area since Lili and I burn easily. Lucky Libby tans, sigh! I hadn't been to the beach in the summer for several years, and it was really nice to be able to relax like this (even though I felt very guilty about not dedicating the day to dissertation work). 

Since we're in the middle of the World Cup in Brasil and the Dutch are doing well, I had to show my support!

I'd forgotten about Cape May's soft sandy beaches... and it was so peaceful...

 She's testing the water!

The water glistened... and was reasonably warm!

After hours and hours, it was time to pack up in search of a Cape May t-shirt!

But first, a little Ben & Jerry's and a cup of coffee for me!

There was a cute little shopping center not too far from the beach where we score the requisite t-shirt at Beach Bums. Happy are we!

The challenge was getting out of Cape May- since traffic was jammed and rerouted due to some sort of bridge being closed. We sat in traffic for an hour only to be circled back again. Luckily, the drive home wasn't too bad and Libby got to see the New Jersey pine barrens- home of the NJ Devil. 

That's a wrap for Cape May!

PostScript: Oh yes, Elizabeth's first surprise was having to pay to get on the beach and wearing your beach tag!

Avalon Beach Sunrise

In the midst of data analysis, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a few days in Avalon-- mind you, this was a work commitment and we were worked hard every day-- all day!!! However, early mornings and late evenings were our own! So, on the last day I woke up at 6 AM and sat on the dark beach with my camera at the ready... waiting for the sun to rise...

It's amazing how light it actually gets before the sun even appears...

 There it is! It was so exciting to see it finally appear... almost as if the sun plays peekaboo on the horizon...

 I'm sure I must have watched a sunrise at some time in my life... just can't remember where or when...

 The colors were amazing...

What a simple pleasure! This energized me for the entire day, and I have resolved to do it again!

September Beach Interlude

Yesterday I took time out of my day to just go sit on the beach for 30 minutes.

It was good to see people still enjoying the beach-- on these gorgeous days with temps in the 80's and in what is now the "off-season" beach-going is a joy! No crowds, parking available, and enough room to walk on the boardwalk and be able to see ahead! This used to be my favorite beach time when we lived in Virginia Beach years ago. With my small size order of Thrashers fries in hand, (yes I know, this was not so good for the diet, but can I beg forgiveness because it was the only one I've had all summer?)... and those noisy seagulls around me, I just watched the waves roll in. Doing nothing with the mind, not even thinking... but just being...is something we don't do enough of these days.

Things done infrequently are so easily forgotten! I had forgotten how much I love just sitting on the beach, and so I'm hoping for more warm weather days to just sneak out for short interludes to refresh the soul.

Memorial Day Holiday

Today it is Memorial Day in the US. It's a day when the country remembers and pays homage to those soldiers who have fought in various wars, and remembers the fallen. It is also a day that culturally, marks the beginning of summer, and so everyone plans to go to the beach for this wonderful 3 day weekend (remember that in the US we don't have so many holidays)! For quite a few years everyone was so focused on going to the beach and enjoying this beginning of summer that the reason for the holiday was almost forgotten. However, in recent years there has been a greater emphasis on remembering our soldiers and the sacrifices they've made. For us, it's been a nice weekend to stay at home and relax.