I think it started last Wednesday. I looked at the forecast and was thrilled to see that Friday was supposed to be close to 60 degrees. Yup. That’s a really big deal in Connecticut this year, a respite of warmth in a really difficult, cold, snowy winter.
You know how little sparks of ideas come, and spontaneity ensues?
‘Love it when that happens.
Realizing that Friday was supposed to be 60 degrees made me think of the fact that Paul had Friday off work–
Which made me think of the things we could do if we took a day together with the kids and let them skip school–
Which made me think of the Christmas gift the kids got from a certain aunt and uncle to Marriott for an overnight stay.
And then the planning began.
Thursday came, the kids bounded off the bus, we hit the road for a couple hours and arrived on the Cape.
(With a slight twinge of guilt for teaching our children a lesson in truancy.)
A twinge of guilt which was completely eradicated the next day.
I think we taught them a few little lessons of our own- about spontaneity, and living life while life is for the living. Lessons about breathing in salt air and laughing loudly into the surf. Getting hands full of shells and sand and freezing cold water. Lessons about running and skipping and feeling free. Making sure we stay as late as possible, as to see the sun set over the bay. Lessons about being thankful for a gift of memories given at Christmas. (Thanks M & K!) Lessons about finding hidden gems and good pizza and mouthwatering saltwater taffy. You know, important things like that. Important things that can’t really be learned in a classroom.
And because photos say it better than I could, here’s our two-day lesson in skipping school and running over to Cape Cod.
A lesson well-learned.
(Although we may have to do a chapter review again soon.)
I love living in New England.
I’ll finish with a quote by my friend H. D. Thoreau, who must have been a kindred spirit. He loved Cape Cod. And that is enough for me to know that I would have liked him, had I known him.
“This was the very day one would have chosen to sit upon a hill overlooking sea and land, and muse there.”
-Henry David Thoreau
written in 1865, describing a perfect day in Provincetown
~
Jenna - Thank you for allowing me to escape to the cape via your photos! Its been two years since we were there and I’m itching to go back. While I loved it in summer and fall, I’ve always wanted to visit in winter.
Cheryl - A harbinger of things to come minus the heavy clothing and the winter sky!
Donna - What wonderful pictures of the kids and you got a great shot of Paul really smiling — he must have been relaxed and enjoying himself! The ocean scenes are gorgeous. We love the Cape too and usually like to go in the spring before the crowds arrive. These pictures are tempting me to go right now.
Vicki - You’ve absolutely captured the spirit of your adventure in your words and all of those lovely photos.
Ellen - Ok, that just seems wrong… winter jackets and the beach. Though its probably the best time to soak the sites in since you have the beach to yourselves. lol
I’m also glad you remembered to get out from behind the camera.
Here’s to adventures, no matter where they take you!
Melinda - I cannot WAIT For June, to feel the warmth of the sun on my face, the feel of the sand between my toes and to watch as my children run and jump and play in the water with their cousins, don’t you just love having something to dream about and anticipate? It is almost as good as the real thing.