The Beach, 2014

By autodidact
A week away, spent at the ocean. It's a lot of work, camping with a bunch of kids, but it's good medicine, too. 9 parents. 25 or so kids/young adults. 5 campsites. There was always someone to hang out with.




The first two days were cold and grey and the ocean waves crashed angrily on the shore. Only the bravest of swimmers (or craziest) ventured out. So those of us who were not as brave (or maybe a bit saner) explored parts of the campground we normally don't see, since we are usually at the beach.



Cape Henlopen State Park is located on the Delaware coast, and is built in and around the former Fort Miles, a WWII military installation. Barracks and guns aplenty and mysterious, abandoned buildings beckon the adventurous.


But then the sun came out and it was all about the beach the rest of the week. Calm seas, and easy waves and lots of fun in the sand.








Campfires and sleeping on the dunes, roaming the campground in the moonlight and telling ghost stories. Daily bike rides all over the park and listening to the rain and the crickets right outside the tent door, running in the surf and building sand castles.

It was worth it, I suppose. Worth the two flat tires, one kid throwing up in the car and another discovering that a ziploc bag can be used as a makeshift toilet. Worth dodging a reckless driver (so bad, we called 911), worth the flies and bees and mosquitoes. Worth it to see the kids have a real vacation and for all of us to rekindle old friendships and make some new ones.


I walked down the hill from the beach one last time. I was tired and ready to go home, but sad to say goodbye. See you next year-


Yeah, good medicine.

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