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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Family Time :: Back Creek Park








Osprey and her chick!
Since our move back in December from Newport News to Yorktown, we've slowly been discovering our new surroundings. I had lived in Newport News since August 2005, when I first began college at Christopher Newport University- now my alma mater. When we got married and had Deirdre, we stayed in Newport News as well. We've moved 5 times since then but they all we within that city, until now. Granted Yorktown is not far from Newport News. All of the cities in Hampton Roads are pretty close to one another, but it does change our rhythm a bit. I have been struggling to dive in to my new city and love it for what it is versus coveting other places for what it is not.

So since it has warmed up, we've been going out and driving around and getting lost and finding our way home. I call it having an adventure. I usually pack a picnic dinner and trow a quilt in the trunk and off we go.

In upper Yorktown, there are lots of little rural areas that seem to go on forever until you hit water. One of those places is called Dandy, and in Dandy there is a lovely little park called "Back Creek Park". It's small and it doesn't have a playground. But what it does have are boats and docks which are teeming with marsh life.

Before I discovered my love of history and language, I really wanted to be a marine biologist and worked quite hard to that end. I volunteered and interned at the Virginia Aquarium for 4 years as well. While there was another plan for my life, what that has left me with is a good knowledge of sea life as well as a decent knowledge of our local marsh life. Being able to share that with my children is indescribable. It just makes my heart burst in love and thankfulness.

At times I really miss being close to the ocean. A part of my soul is tied up in the sea. But being so close now to this water and the York river has been a nice affirmation that this is where we ought to be right now. And I am at peace with that.

Also, Please try and do a test comment on this post for me. A few friends have said my comments aren't working. I think I fixed the problem. But I need someone else to check!!

Until next time,

6 comments:

  1. You have inspired me to get out of the house with the kids and go explore the area! Thanks, I love reading your blogs.

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    1. You're welcome as always Holly! I saw that you all got to go visit, yay! Also I saw you doll for Ellie :) She is coming along great!

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  2. Yay! Comments now work! I was wondering if it was something on my end. :-)

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    1. Yes! It took awhile to fix so thank you for hanging in there with me! I needed to un-link the blog with my google + account! Apparently it was eating my comments :( And well that is just no fun!

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  3. We moved two year ago away from my lifetime home of Seattle and OH do I miss the ocean! We are now in central Washington, several hours from the ocean and I completely understand what you are saying about the sea. I am just so confused by the fact that there is no real body of water my kids can splash and swim in this summer besides the fast rivers nearby since that was such a part of my childhood! Haha!
    Gorgeous pictures. I am in the same situation with needing to explore and just find the blessings of our current locale rather than pining for what it doesn't have, so thanks for the encouragement to that end.

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    1. Hi Sarah, welcome! As my uncle would say, you also have salt water in your blood! I am so sorry that your move has taken you away from the sea- that is especially hard in the summer. But part of it will always be with you and even though your kiddos won't be close to the sea, you can still share that with them in different ways as well as make new fun memories with them. HUGS! I will be praying that you find the prefect little nook in your new city for summer fun!

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