Life is a Beach
1. Mission accomplished. Joe and I have had so many false starts getting to the ocean this year. Finally we landed on Virginia Beach last Tuesday where we were warmly hosted to mix vacation time with some low key business meetings. With my recent ankle injury, I couldn’t walk the beach, but could limp to my beach chair (which Joe carried for me). I swam in the ocean for an hour each day.
2. This is Maury Cooke and his business partner and family friend, Linda. Joe (far right) is working with them developing programming for Earthsong Farm and Retreat in nearby Patrick County. First up, is the second annual Teen Meditation Retreat on July 6-12. Maury is a fascinating man who founded the Center for Community Development in the Portsmouth Hampton Roads part of Virginia. The CCD runs an Urban Arts Center, lends micro-loans for start-up businesses, and facilitates affordable housing in the area. (Linda's dog Kiley is also shown).
3. So, did Joe go parasailing, like he wanted to? See the action shot HERE.
4. Every day for the four days we were there, I picked a beach rose on my way down to the beach and smelled it as I walked (with a crutch). I read and wrote poetry on the beach, ate blueberries, and watched dolphins and hermit crabs. Our get-away was short but very sweet. We feel blessed for new pathways being made and look forward to our next trip.
Post notes: Read more about Earthsong HERE. I’ll be writing more about it in the coming days.
Comments
Sounds like you had a good time despite the injured ankle. I haven't been to the beach in a while, but then the Welsh Coast is usually cold & windy!
Michele says Hello!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting, I was just writing a new post as you did :)
Posted by: Nikki-ann | June 15, 2008 12:01 PM
Short get-aways are sometimes very welcome breaks! I'm glad you had the change of scenery.
Posted by: CountryDew | June 15, 2008 6:58 PM
Hi Colleen, Michele sent me by today. Your beach trip sounds restful. I won't get to see the ocean until August, and even then it'll be with lots of family, probably not very restful...
Posted by: anne | June 15, 2008 8:19 PM
very little is as soothing as the sound of the sea. i can hardly wait for our july visit to the oregon coast. lucky you to be able to combine work and play! did you see dolphins from the beach - do they swim close to shore there? how thrilling to see them!
when we finally make it to DC and then to virginia we will spend some time at virginia beach where i will finally get to see the association for reserach and enlightenment and get some of their fabulous oils. i used to order from the store there via mail order. i hope that we can make a spring trip, but we have no definite plans yet. how far is floyd county from virginia beach?
Posted by: sky | June 16, 2008 12:29 AM
What a lovely way to spend time at the beach. I have missed the Pacific Ocean and want to get back.
Posted by: inlandempiregirl | June 16, 2008 1:10 AM
sounds like you are reinvigorated. Any leg improvement>??
Posted by: sandy | June 16, 2008 8:00 AM
My leg is improving. Although I'm still limping, I'm getting around much better.
It's about a five hour drive from Floyd to Virginia Beach. Here's a post I did on our last visit there in which we went to the A.R.E. Center. The second one is about First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
http://www.looseleafnotes.com/notes/2007/10/summers_last_call.html
http://www.looseleafnotes.com/notes/2007/09/first_landing_state_park.html
Oh, I forgot to say that I watched the dolphins from the shore. They weren't too far out but when I swam out closer I couldn't see them as well because of the waves.
Posted by: colleen | June 16, 2008 8:51 AM
sounds like you had a great time in spite of your ankle injury! I so need an ocean fix...
Posted by: kacey | June 16, 2008 9:15 AM
Ah, the beach, nothing like it. Sorry you weren't able to walk the beach, but it sounds like you had a great time anyway, getting some much needed RNR in your beach chair. I envy you with sand 'tween your toes.
Posted by: susan | June 16, 2008 11:23 AM
sounds like a marvelous getaway.
Posted by: Pearl | June 16, 2008 2:45 PM
Oh Colleen...It sounds just wonderful...! ALL, except your poor injured ankle...! I hope it is healing nicely...It really sounded like quite a serious injury at the time. But I bet The Beach was rather 'healing' in many many ways...Not the least of which is The Spirit...! I hope you get to go again, very very soon. LOVED that beautuful pink flower!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | June 16, 2008 6:10 PM
Bless your heart I didn't realize you were still on crutches.
Posted by: Deana | June 19, 2008 10:45 PM
Glad you were able to get away...I've been craving the beach lately. Earthsongs is beautiful. I could use one of those "cleansing" retreats. :-)
Love,
Susan
Posted by: Susan | June 24, 2008 8:03 PM