Moonlit Beach Hike

“Ok, so this wasn't really a hike, more like a stroll on the beach, but it was still nice.

My daughters, 9 and 7 yo, are on their spring break and last night around 7 pm we were bored and talking about going to a sporting goods store or someplace similar to kill some time. Out of the blue, my youngest says she would rather go to the beach. At first I told her that it was dark, it was chilly, etc., but she persisted. So jokingly, I told her if she stands on her head for 2 minutes we can go. Let me tell you, this is one determined kid. With her face bloated and beet red, and her feet resting against the wall, she did it.

I owe her big time for doing it, too. We had a great time. Sometimes I forget how special a place is the beach at night. The moon was full. The stars were out. The shoreline glistened in the moonlight.

The temps were low 60's to start with a light breeze. An endless line of breakers continuously rolled in with a soothing gentle roar. Each glowing surreal in the moonlight as they toppled over onto the sand, ending their 1000 mile journey at my feet.

We first went out to the end of the pier where we found ourselves away from the lights and echoes of the shore. It was peaceful here, just the sound of the wind and the sparkling of the now gentle waves. I felt a special contentment fill me when my youngest sighed, then said, "What a beautiful night."

Afterwards, we walked along the beach for a 1/2 mile or so. Then we stopped so the girls could build sand castles and sea creatures. I sat in the sand and just stared out to sea listening to their happy voices mingling with the sounds of the night.

Later, we walked back to the pier, where we journeyed out to the end once more. More people had come out and were setting up to do a little fishing. My little chatterboxes wanted to talk to all of them. Eventually, we did talk to them all, but made it back to the car around 9:30. On the ride home, the girls in quiet contemplation in the back, I gave thanks for how lucky I am and for the good life I have.”

“hyway, thats a great story. I wish I would have thought of doing that with my children. they make you think about stuff that you forget sometimes.
I never thought of going to the beach at night with a full moon. you have a good memory with your child. cheerish it forever!”

“Nice... :-)”

“Pretty cool there bud...and well written. Hey...wonder who they get the chattering from?”

“I have to tell ya, I truly love that idea. im thinking of maybe taking the children and hubby and taking the telescope to the beach tonight.

only im a little worried about getting mugged. not by turkeys but real people. yes i love ny :(”

“camping and walking Padre Island, Tx is soooooooo relaxing...........and with a cold Miller Lite................know what you mean dude!!!!!”

“I have no idea about what you mean by "wonder who they got the chattering from..." :)
the beach is great at night. i would be sad if I had to worry about being mugged.”

“Very cool hyway. Sometimes kids have the best ideas. Kudos to your daughter for standing on her head. That shows determination and sacrifice. Hope she doesn't lose sight of that, it will come in handy in life.”

“hyway, thanks for sharing your story! I loved it! It makes me want my kids young again. They are 21 and 19 and do their own thing now. Enjoy and appreciate them while their still young. They really do grow up way too fast. You sound like a wonderful father. :)”

“beautiful...beautiful....beautiful~~~~~~~~~”

“I'm an immature 30 year old who refuses to grow up, and even I really appreciated that story. Well written hyway, thanks for sharing.”

“thanks om. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Artex, I like to say that I have an inner adult and an outer child.”

“That's real nice!

My way of thinking is that we hold on to all the stages of our lives as we get older.

Sadly, some people don't.

As we grow we hold on to what we were as we add later versions of ourselves to our accumulated consciousness.

You never know when you're going to need that little child.......or that teenage fool.”

“Well said hyway and Tom Terrific.”

“ummmmm, teenage fool...? Have you been talking to my wife?”

“Ha ha!

No, but I play in the woods as often as I can.

And I love chuckin' rocks!”

“Hyway - NICE

Tom Terrific - NICE

:-)”

“What a wonderful story. I had almost forgotten what it was like to wonder around the beach. Lucky children! You go, Dad!”

“Just spent 4 hours at Chucky Cheese. I should be considered for Sainthood.”

“EEEWWWWW

better off at McRat

see UP trip report”

“OK, I occaisionally have to go to Chucky Cheese for one of my kids' birthday parties. It never ceases to amaze me that adults call the pizza there good. Honestly, it ain't bad, but it ain't Pizza Hut (apologies to those of you who live someplace where real pizza is made) either.

So, does the pizza at every other Chucky Cheese really suck, or are these people merely in denial?”

“I compare it to di-journo”

“Today was in the low 80's. The girls and I went to the beach today and this time we did go swimming. We played in the surf and the tidal pools and then walked around to the back side of the inlet and played in the channel that drains the marsh.”

“Find any treasures?”

“I brought the treasures with me :)”

“aaaaaah.....Good answer!”

“Forgive me for bringing this back up, but I have been pining for the mountains lately and had forgotten how good it is right here in my own back yard. This came up on a google search and brought back fond memories. I had forgotten all about this. I love it when I am surprised like that.”

“that is the one you took your children on right? that was a sweet hike and having your littles one there made it even better!”

“Yeah thats the one. I was just doing a search for beach hikes and it came up. It was a nice trip down memory lane.”

“good for you
I loved that trip report and remeber that very well!

cool you found it on google!”