discovering

Over the past week, I've found some wonderful new spots right around where we live. Unfortunately - or maybe fortunately - I didn't have my camera with me. Although it always drives me nuts when I can't take a picture of something beautiful or noteworthy, I think I actually remember the moment more clearly when I'm forced to etch it into my mind instead of frame it with a camera.

Last weekend Matt and I ran through our neighborhood and enjoyed the beautiful new colors of spring. On the way home, we followed for the first time a path that led off the road towards the marshy bay of Flax Pond. On the path we found a deer frozen only feet away. After she bounded off, we followed the trail through the grass to a bridge, which I believe must only be accessible at low tide. We tiptoed through the mud and paused in the middle of the worn bridge to survey the incredible beauty of the water and the sunset. Hopping over gaps in the weathered planks, we crossed to the other side and picked our way through to a few sand dunes that line ocean. We were farther out on the beach than we'd ever ventured before and as we walked towards familiar territory, we came across an unusual tree set back from the beach. It was completely covered in old buoys. It looked wonderful, and I love that we've found the secret work of someone from days past. I have a strange fascination with the buoys that wash up on our beach and have brought home a small collection since we first moved in. I haven't decided what to do with them - they're tossed in our garden shed - but it's nice to know someone else thinks they're worth collecting.

We walked home, chilled by the evening wind and even more grateful that God blessed us with a respite in this charming area.

As I said, I had no camera with me, but when I got home, I had to take a picture. I had run a couple miles and crossed to the center of the old bridge before I looked down and noticed that in my haste to get out the door, I'd put two different shoes on. In my defense, the one on the right is just and updated version of the one on the left . . .