Historical Bits and Pieces

We have been spending a lot of time immersed in the Colonial period: visiting a variety of living history parks/ national historic sites; reading journals, texts, and historical fiction; and working our way through the fabulous PBS "reality show", Colonial House. I have always been a voyeur and this recent historical immersion process has really been fascinating.

Time Traveling: Colonial Williamsburg

Chincoteague

 Yes, we saw a clump of wild ponies, but the real highlights were flying a kite on the beach,  learning how to hunt for mussels on the side of the road with some friendly strangers, finding two letterboxes, and stopping for ice cream at Mr. Whippy. The poison ivy souvenir that Adam brought home (via letterboxing) was not a highlight. 

March 2013

Hammock

We all miss the hammock.

Smith Beach, Virginia
March 2013

A Sandy Slate

It's always fun to see what will emerge from the sand. Noah found a huge stick for drawing. Camille just used her hands. Adam combined both of their methods. And I hunted and gathered from the shoreline. I love how each of our creations were our very own.

Kiptopeke State Park, 
Cape Charles, Virginia

Jelly Garden

Another benefit of low tide: a surprising display of pretty jellies. They remind me of flowers, flowers that might be found in a watery version of Oz. I think they are actually Lion's Mane jelly fish. This great book about Chesapeake wildlife reports that the most common jellies in the winter and early spring months are the Lion's Mane. Can anyone out there confirm that identification? 

Speaking of flowery and seasonal things, the cherry blossoms are in bloom. A bit delayed due to the lingering winter temps, but still here. I am hoping to make it down to the Tidal Basin to see them in their full glory. It's something I have always wanted to experience, especially after loving sakura season in Japan.