Forget work, time to go to the beach!

This year, my summer included a road trip through Vermont and New Hampshire. It was nice to be wandering around New England again. It feels like it’s been a long time since my last visit, but it was just last spring that I was in Bennington for (another) funeral. As I drive around, I realize how much I’ve traveled these roads over the years. Vermont has always felt like home, even though I only lived here for a few years, and it is nice to be back again.

The trip is part work, part vacation. After days of driving and some productive meetings, I am in Stratham, NH. The person I would like to meet has not returned my emails or phone calls. I’m not sure whether I should just stop in. It’s late in the day, so I decide to head to the beach instead — it’s only 20 minutes away.

Once I arrive at Hampton Beach, I know that I have been here before. Some time during my university years, I was here with my mom but the purpose of our trip escapes me.

There is something magical about the ocean — the hypnotic sight and sound of waves rolling in one after another. Having lived most of my life hundreds or thousands of miles from the ocean, it never ceases to amaze me.

There is still some time before the sun sets so a walk on the beach seems appropriate. I grab my camera and head off for a short walk — I’ll at least dip my toes in the water. My shoes come off and I start walking south. The beach is not crowded but there are still a few people enjoying themselves. The light is beautiful with the sun low in the sky and I take a ton of pictures. I’m always sensitive to taking photos of peoples’ faces but there are many opportunities for silhouettes and back shots — great story shots of kids playing in waves, an older couple parked on lawn chairs near the breaking surf, young couples holding hands and families fishing together.

My walk to the south end of the beach and back takes almost 2 hours and the sun is setting as I return to my car. Having planned for a short walk, I hadn’t put much money in the parking meter. When I get to the car, there is a ticket on my windshield — arghh!

Despite the ticket, the visit to the beach was worth it – a refreshing break from green mountains and winding roads. The beauty of this area pulls at my heart strings and I vow to return here more often.

Canada Day at the cottage

For many years, I would head to Parliament Hill for Canada Day. All day entertainment and an eclectic mix of people, with the day culminating with an amazing fireworks display. These days, I can’t imagine not going to the cottage. There, it’s a much different scene. Most of the day, we just hang out — on the dock, on the deck, in the meadow. If it gets too hot, just jump in the lake.

This year, for the first time in a long time, we headed to Hatley for the Canada Day parade. Our destination was less than 10 km away, so it seemed reasonable that leaving at 10:30 would give us plenty of time to get there for the 11:00 start of the parade. I mean, how busy could it be? Very busy, as it turns out. The parade has been held for about 100 years and, apparently, is the largest Canada Day parade in Quebec outside of Montreal – that saying a lot for a town of about 800 people.

After turning on the main road into town, we were still about 4 km away when traffic came to a dead stop. We crawled along for the next 45 minutes, finally coming to a point where people were parking along the side of the road. We joined the crowd and still had about a kilometer to walk before reaching Main Street, just as the last of the parade went by. Bummer.

The good news is that the parade is not the only thing going on in Hatley on Canada Day. On the village green, there is an assortment of entertainment, food, vintage cars, games, horses and more. The funny thing is that it looks the same as it did when I was 12 years old (probably the last time I attended the parade).

It was a good day, with lots of walking — a well-needed break from laying about. Next year, we may have to come again but we’ll know to leave a little earlier!