Our friends, The Papanicolaous, took us on their boat last night to a sand bar off of Crane beach, Ipswich, MA. Crane beach, for those who like toilets, is named after Mr. Crane, who invented the flush toilet. Anyhow, we had a beautiful warm evening on sandbar. We anchored in about 3 feet of water and walked to a sand bar with our food, chairs, even a low table. Had a wonderful meal with their friends and walked around this very large sand bar. The kids found a couple of dead skates. Looking east we saw the wide Atlantic and the small waves criss-crossing just before the sandbar. Looking west we saw the setting sun. What was especially nice was the breeze that kept the “greenheads” away. Greenheads are biting flies that live for about 1 month and were biting quite nicely at the beach we were at earlier in the day.
As our friends say, this kind of quiet, warm evening when the tide is low doesn’t happen very often so we were glad to have the experience. Reminds me of the days when my parents lived on the coast of Maine and we did similar trips to deserted islands in order to cook and eat lobsters we had just bought at the dock.
Just as the sun set, we packed up for the return trip up the Rowley river where they moor their boat. Around 9 pm we finished off a great day by going to the “cow” or White Farms of Ipswich (it has a cow on the roof), an ice cream shop that makes their own ice cream.
These kinds of nights remind me why I love New England so much. While the water is warmer in NJ, it lacks the appeal of the hills and varying coastline of New England.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
I think it had less to do with “where” and more to do with “when”. I live in NE now and go to Crane Beach often and know the sand bar you visited. I enjoy my time here, but visiting Crane Beach, Plum Is or the cape makes me reminisce for the Outer Banks NC where I spent summers growing up.
Last year, my sister-in-law was in a beauty pageant, and during the interview she was asked, “What do you think the best invention is?” And she said, “The flushable toilet.” She didn’t win. (She never intended to win. Her intention was to learn how to present herself and poise). 🙂
Twinkling for Jesus,
Michelle
After being in Cambodia with the squaty potties I would have to put me the in the “those who like toilets” camp. 🙂
wow, such a description, sounds just perfect, phil! i love new england too, for just those reasons. there is really something mesmorizing about the coast of maine too, i could just sit and watch and listen for hours.
but i do know what you mean about those greenheads! obviously a product of the fall!!! nasty little critters!!
continue to have a wonderful and relaxing vacation. you are giving your kiddos wonderful memories!
judi