Beach Days

Being 30 minutes from the beach is a gift I am tying not to take for granted. It is especially awesome that two beaches we can easily visit rarely have more than 2 other vehicles of beach-goers, so we never have to search for parking or beach space. We can literally have the beach to ourselves.

I’m certain we have squished our toes in the sand at least once a week.

The effort to get there is so worth it. The peace, the beauty, the things to observe and discover are limitless.

 A few days ago, we took the day off books and headed to the homeschool co-op, ate a quick picnic lunch, and headed to a new beach. This one was further than another beach I usually choose, but it was more than worth the drive.

We found tide pools, teeming with life. Anemones.

Mussels.

Fish. Hermit Crabs.

The boys and I are reading a delightful story of a hermit crab named Pagoo. It tells the story of a hermit crab’s existence almost as if it is a child’s novel. If you live near the ocean and can find hermit crabs, don’t miss reading Pagoo. If you don’t live near the ocean and want to enrich your child’s imagination about ocean life, definitely pick this up. I like to read one chapter a day, and narrate it back the next day. The boys enjoy it. I enjoy it. And now we have seen Pagoo!

On the way back, the boys found a skeleton.We’re assuming it was seal. Behind them (to the top left in the photo) was an entire skin from the animal. It’s furry. It’s large. Seal seems likely.
I cannot get over how amazing it is to get outside, away from the books, and learn so much by running around at the beach.