We arrived at Easton Beach in Newport around one. Even though it was cold and rainy, the ocean view didn't disappoint; in fact, I think winter on the East Coast has a special beauty all its own. There's something fierce about it: Angry waves crashing against the rocks and cliffs, the wind and cold. It seems so scary and uncontrollable. Dangerous. I thought of the song, Master the Tempest is Raging.
"The wind and the waves obey Thy will. Peace be still. Peace be still."
Surely the God who can calm the sea can comfort our friends' hearts.
We ate our lunch in the car and watched the seagulls a while. They are very different than the Texas Gulf Coast gulls we have seen. These guys are huge. And bold. This guy stayed on the hood of our car, two feet from my face the whole time we were eating.
The Save the Bay Aquarium and Exploration Center packs a lot of fun and learning into a small space. I think the best thing about the aquarium is the people who work there. These guys not only know their stuff, they also had great rapport with the kids. They asked excellent leading questions, and knew just how to pique the kids' interest. I was super impressed and pleased. AND it was just $18 for all of us to get in. I was sad we won't be there when the seal-watching boat tours begin in November. We saw all kinds of things we've never seen in real life: Horseshoe crabs (which are more closely related to scorpions than crabs.
Smooth dogfish sharks. We touched sharks, people!
The aquarium also had eels, starfish, crabs, anemones, assorted interesting-looking fish, and even a tiny octopus! I couldn't tell you everything we saw and learned about.
We had fun playing interactive learning games, like investigating the contents if a beached dead seal (She was stuffed, but had all her stuffed innerds for the kids to explore, including a zippered stomach that you can empty the contents of.)
The littles made a paper sailboat and pirate hat. So fun.
It had warmed up enough by the time we were done to spend a few minutes combing the beach, where we found shells, mermaids' purses (horseshoe crabs' eggs--we had just learned about these in the aquarium and were very excited to find some.)
And some jelly-creature that we were not sure about. It didn't have tentacles like a jellyfish would, plus it was a perfectly round disk. Any guesses?
The houses along Narraganset Bay are amazing. Who gets to wake up to this view everyday?
As I watched my oldest son run and chase his brothers and sisters on the beach, my thoughts returned to our heartbroken friends. I was painfully reminded of how little time I have left with my sixteen-year-old baby, of how my days of protecting him will soon be over. I know he'll be ready to face whatever God's will is for his life. And I know God's will is best. The same God who calms the sea can keep my son safe and well--but if not, He is still my God.
In loving memory of Brenton Dodgen. We are so thankful for his sacrifice and that of his family.
It had warmed up enough by the time we were done to spend a few minutes combing the beach, where we found shells, mermaids' purses (horseshoe crabs' eggs--we had just learned about these in the aquarium and were very excited to find some.)
And some jelly-creature that we were not sure about. It didn't have tentacles like a jellyfish would, plus it was a perfectly round disk. Any guesses?
The houses along Narraganset Bay are amazing. Who gets to wake up to this view everyday?
As I watched my oldest son run and chase his brothers and sisters on the beach, my thoughts returned to our heartbroken friends. I was painfully reminded of how little time I have left with my sixteen-year-old baby, of how my days of protecting him will soon be over. I know he'll be ready to face whatever God's will is for his life. And I know God's will is best. The same God who calms the sea can keep my son safe and well--but if not, He is still my God.
In loving memory of Brenton Dodgen. We are so thankful for his sacrifice and that of his family.
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