Black Friday

So it's the day after Thanksgiving. 

What is one to do when Black Friday doesn't exist in your world?

Go exploring, of course!

Last year's spring break, Carl, Abbi, and I attempted to find a beach. We do live on an island. How hard could it be to find a beach? 

We ended up at the Wetlands instead. After walking through ankle deep water for half a mile, time ran out. The sun was setting and we still had quite a ways to walk. So although, we could see the water's edge, we never quite reached it.

So armed with more knowledge (first hand accounts and google map directions) we set out exploring again. Not on the scooter this time, but the van. And instead of three, there were eight. Why go exploring in an empty van?

When we set out on our journey, the sun was shining. As we drove north, the clouds began to descend. The sun disappeared and the wind picked up. It actually began to feel like an autumn day. 

 Factories, giant windmills,  and ever-present concrete walls seem to protect the west  coast from prying eyes. We knew the water was there. We caught glimpses of it, but there seemed to always be something between us and the crashing waves.

While Carl pulled over to check the map, the rest of us decided to stretch our legs and see what was over the fancy arching  bridge. Strange, since it seemed to be a desolate area.

From the top of the  bridge we could see our destination- a beach. But, alas, a tall sturdy cement wall separated us from feeling the soft sand between our toes.

But never give up.

Blowing sand formed a natural ramp up to the top of the wall.

Just a short walk along the top of the wall led to a sand ramp on the other side.

As you can tell from the picture, the wall was thick enough to safely walk along. The drop off on either side, however,  was over ten feet.

I am a pretty adventurous person. And I don't scare easily. 

But, this was by far one of the scariest things I have done. My legs became weak. My breathing shallow. The short walk felt more like a mile.

My fear was not that of the height, but rather of my ability to walk in a straight line. My ability, or rather inability, to take twenty steps without stumbling. And this just would not have been  a good time to lose my balance or trip on my own two feet, which I do often! I do not know whether to blame this on simple clumsiness, my quickly fading youthfulness, or my limited field of vision. But as usual, God provided a hero in both Ben and Carl. Sensing my instability, they provided assistance.

The beach was not that of  touristy swimming beach. But it was sand and water, and that alone appeased.

While we had found a beach, this was not the beach we had been aiming for. Loading back into the van, we ventured on. After accidentally pulling into a nuclear plant, we were politely given directions    by the nice security guard. Luckily, one of the teens in the car is fluent in Chinese!

And so went our time of exploring.... drive a little, explore a little!

By the way, that is Jacob all the way over to the left. He is no longer the "little" brother!

The restricted area, we accidentally tried to enter!

The beach we were attempting to locate is that narrow strip of sand between the plant and the dock in the above picture. Or at least we think it was. We decided seeing it sufficed!

Along the way, we saw individuals fishing, as well as fishing vessels. While were we all decked out for a summer day, they, on the other hand, were dressed appropriately for the cloudy, windy, chilly conditions!

It was fun to get out of the city and spend the day relaxing, doing nothing of great importance with no time constraints!

No bustling crowds, no competing shoppers, no time limited door busters.

And for that, I am so thankful!

Carl and I decided walking through these drifts
 were much more fun that the drifts in Ohio!

Thankful for family, friends, and a day of relaxation!