Hiking the Peninsula

A good night's sleep leaves us well rested and ready to venture out for some great hiking this morning. Neighboring Peninsula State Park provides the perfect venue for such wishes.

Our first trail is the Sentinel, a nice 2 mile easy trek, great for warming up. One of the first interpretative markings presents the Baseball Tree White Ash - particularly fitting as my beautiful daughter, Ashley, has just accepted a wonderful position with the Washington Nationals. This pic is for you, Ash. And, congratulations! The nearby Eagle Path promises a difficult terrain, another 2 miler, and oh, some amazing scenery is the reward. Huge rock formations to one side and the bay to the other, gorgeous trees, wildflowers, and birds accompany this journey. Eagle Trail is one of our favorites to date!

































We manage to finish our hikes just before the raindrops begin and still are determined to have our picnic. The perfect spot is discovered and we enjoy immensely (that's why we have umbrellas)!









One more short trail in the rain presents great gifts for our efforts. A lone deer watches us intently from a rather close distance, as a large Pileated woodpecker proves undaunted by our presence as she destroys bark searching for her dinner. Of course, the camera is in the car because of the rain! You'll have to take our word on this - it was very cool!









As the rain increases, we take the opportunity to tour the lighthouse. A delightful tour and the perfect finale to our magnificent day in the park. Peninsula is a true gem. And, we are more than pleased with our visit. Indeed, a great adventure!

Tip of the Cape Hiking

It's another beautiful day at the cape and today we make the decision to pack up and hike to the end. The walk is beautiful, if not a bit of a challenge. Stones make up the first mile of this venture, for the most part fairly easy, but a few spots cause us to get creative in finding the best manner to cross. It's a bit of a workout!



Having successfully traversed the rocks, we are thinking the rough part is over. Not to be the case. As we head over a substantial dune to reach the beach, we encounter deep, soft sand - always fun! The beach, though beautiful, also presents mostly soft sand for our trail, we are working this morning!!!

















The lighthouse at the tip is Celeste's goal. She has eyed it across the bay from our balcony since we've arrived. It's a real high for her when we reach the point, needless to say!






The bay route back is a bit easier, cooler anyway and we are much more confident on our return rocky path. The 5+ mile attempt takes a good part of our morning but we are thrilled upon completion.







A short drive down the coast provides us a great beach area to have some lunch and rest before exploring further. This part of the national seashore is simply amazing. The drive presents spectacular dunes and water views at every turn. Another short hike along the really beautiful beach at Race Point gives us the prettiest scenery yet. Hard to imagine it could get that much better!


Getting our toes wet in the very cold Atlantic is exhilarating and a storm brewing further out is mesmerizing to study. We are lucky that it stays well off shore and does not interfere whatsoever with our glorious day. The reward of a beautiful rainbow finishes the perfection. A day that exhibits all one can conjure a cape excursion to be!