In Virginia Beach, we typically awaken with sunrise and the sound of Carolina Wrens and Chickadees chirping in the yard. Similarly today, we awoke with the sun a bit earlier as it arose from the ocean, and I listened to seagulls welcoming the new day. I love that sound. After coffee, we stepped outside on a glorious morning to take our walk beside the sea. Within two minutes, Charlie found her twin and made a new friend. We met a neighbor, who told us she had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as well, and her name is Charlie! She is 9, and she joined us for introductions.
Stacey and I both signed up for gym memberships and ran a few errands as we settled in for the long haul. My errands included a stop on Hazel Avenue to pick up a kayak graciously offered to reside on Lighthouse Avenue for the duration of our stay. Thanks so much Bapa! I chose the blue one, loaded her in the truck and headed home, eagerly awaiting an afternoon paddle in the harbor!
First, I had to work for a while, which gave Charlie time to discover what looks like a favorite spot on the back of the couch where she can see out the front window. She is establishing herself!
Growing up in Cohasset, I remember how important it was to know the tide. The harbor was very different for swimming or sailing at high than low tide. My Mom was on the Welcome Wagon Committee. Actually, she was the only member. In that capacity, she found out who the new families in town were and “welcomed” them to town with free swag from local businesses. Mostly, she just went and shared all the town gossip with the new arrivals. But, I remember that part of the free swag she had was the annual tide calendar on a fridge magnet like the ones you see the Sox schedule on these days. I think it was sponsored by a local insurance company or realtor – maybe Jack Conway? Anyway, that schedule was gold. It told us what time of day was best for swimming or boating on “the flats”, just beyond the harbor break wall – high tide. Low tide was best for an easy swim from the Sailing Club over to Bassings Beach, but made tacking out of the harbor more laborious. ⛵️ Tide matters.
I was reminded of that in a very minor way today. The tide was low(er) when I set out for a paddle in Scituate harbor. I know because I checked my phone – no free fridge calendar needed anymore. I do miss those calendars though…life was simpler then. So, I had to carry the kayak a little further down Lighthouse Beach to launch. At 55, the extra paces matter! 😉 A first world problem, I know. Those steps were well worth it as I set out on a truly pretty day.
I brought my good camera with me, hoping to get some quality pictures of my favorite perspective of this special place. The view from the water can’t be beat. As I approached the town pier, I saw a truck backing up, preparing to receive the days haul from the crew of a lobster boat. They craned several containers off while I watched from my preferred vantage point about 30 yards away.
Not 15 minutes later, I passed the crew of that boat headed in on their dinghy. They’ve done this before! In the below picture, the boat on the left is the same one I saw unload the lobsters, and the men are ashore somewhere having a beer!
I came across cormorants drying their wings in the afternoon sun on a rocky shore before heading back from the inner harbor towards the lighthouse
On my way, I found some members from that flock of seagulls I heard as the sun crested the dark horizon this morning. They were quieter now… maybe they had just ran so far away…
I have probably taken a million pictures of Scituate Light,and I hope to be fortunate enough to take a million more. It is just so iconic… so picturesque…so home.
Tuesday Night is Jam Night for Whoever Shows Up (WSU) at Daddy’s on Nantasket Beach. Stacey and I arrived early enough for a nice stroll on the beach before heading in to watch her Dad, Jim”Bapa” Ferrier jam with his friends from WSU. What a way to cap off a fabulous day!
