Windy at Willard

Sander, Milena, Charlie, and Dylan explore the rocks

    

    Willard Beach is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach located in South Portland.  Although not as far-reaching and grand as some of its neighbors - Crescent Beach State Park or Old Orchard Beach- Willard Beach has become one of our favorites since a friend introduced us to the location last summer.  There is something there for everyone! 

          For our Monday Muddy Toes meet-up, we met at low tide.  Beaches at low tide allow children to fully engage with the coastal environment and provide ample opportunities to explore tidal pools, climb seaweed laden rocks, and follow the paths of water meandering back to their ocean home.  

Sander experimenting with the flow of water

        A few people were inquiring about a good place to locate information on tides.  If you are interested, check out Maine Harbors' tide charts at http://me.usharbors.com/maine-tide-charts. High tide at Willard is equally beautiful, however, be aware that there is very little "beach" for exploring with little ones. 

Charlie and his razor clam

Nola showing Alexander her collection of the day's treasure

        Maine can be unpredictable and sometimes not even a favorable weather forecast can guarantee some sunshine!  Although we were met with a whipping wind and a layer of clouds, the kids were enjoying their surroundings with no complaints; fearlessly stomping in the pools of water, effortlessly conquering the large rock outcrop at the beach's entrance, and wildly searching for unique rocks and shells.  

       They scoured the beach in search of a few common local species:  blue mussels, razor clams, whelks, periwinkles, limpets, and clams.  A few found live clams which generated some wide smiles and a few gleeful "Look what I found!"  

Nola - Treasure Hunter

        We were even able to find some periwinkles and red chitons effortlessly clinging onto rocks and upon lifting the kids were amazed to see that there were really animals in there! As parents, we shared a few pictures of what species to look for but made sure to step back and let the kids guide their own learning through discovery. 

        Eventually, the wind ceased and we walked along the beach toward Fort Preble.  During low tide you can access the fort by traversing the rocks up to the fort and during high tide there is a walkway directly leading to the fort that can be accessed by any of the beach's upward staircases.  Once at Fort Preble, you are only a short walk away from Spring Point Lighthouse.  Dylan always loves walking out to the lighthouse-even though I make him hold my hand along the quick, rocky path- and says it is like walking on water due to the path extending outward from the land. 

Alexander - King of the Mountain

             On Monday, we didn't make it all the way down to the fort.  About 100 feet in front of the fort sit two large, irresistible rocky outcrops that lured in our adventurers.  Our preschoolers were transformed into brave climbers; balancing on the uneven surfaces, hiding from "bad guys" within the crevices, and taking in the view of Fort Levett from the top of the "mountain".  

Claire balancing on the rocks

        Before heading home for the day the kids played for a few more minutes on Willard Beach's small playground using up every last bit of energy they had left.  The drive home was quiet; very, very quiet.

Alexander and Dylan:  Friends taking a rest

Claire

        

          A special thank you to everyone who braved the wind on Monday for our meet-up!  For me, it felt good to get out and made me hungry for Spring!  For those of you we missed, I hope your Monday was filled with smiles as well.   Onward to future adventures!

Discovery's Last Launch

On Thursday, February 24, Space Shuttle Discovery was launched off to space on her 38th flight with nothing less than a hero's sendoff.  In Titusville, chants of USA served as the backdrop for the final countdown, covering up the hollers, the cheerful sobs, and the awe-inspired murmurs as the fiery beauty lifted off for the last time.  Unforgettable moments where we were all world citizens watching the brave among us, wishing toward a common cause, and gently reminded that we are all a part of something larger than ourselves.

Discovery's Launch

For the last year my family has been following the end of the shuttle program and vigorously planning how to get our space geek son (and his space geek parents) to one of the last launches.  Everyone knows that launches are often delayed due to mechanical problems, weather, etc. so the chances of us booking our reservations in August for February and actually making a launch were slim.  After Endeavor's February launch was postponed until April we were devastated, until Discovery's November launch was set for the week in February we would be there.  We got lucky! 

Discovery's Path

Last summer we met a Floridian who was previously a rocket engineer for NASA and he shared with us that the best place to watch was on the water in Titusville.  So, as we left Orlando the day of the launch we knew where to go.  We left 5 hours early for the 4:50 pm launch - I am very type A and like to be places early - only to hit so much traffic that we were pulling into a parking spot at 4:45.  As we were grabbing our things, NASA radio announced a hold on the launch:  a central command computer was down.  "STS-133 might be scrubbed."  We decided that we would "will" the computer to work, jumped out of our car, and fought off the crowds of people to find a perfect viewing spot along the water.  We were in position at 4:48.

Titusville Crowds

People were everywhere.  Car radios were blasting NASA radio, hanging on every word.  4:50 the computer was fixed;  the launch was a go.  The crowd collectively cheered, someone in the distant yelled out USA, and everyone followed along passionately belting out the echo louder and louder.  4:52 Silence.  NASA began the final countdown.  Off in the distance, the launch pad began to spiral red, smoke filled the air, and slowly one of our nation's greatest rose into the air.  People were smiling, hugging, crying, trying to capture some moments on film, and yelling "Go baby go!"  Even writing this gives me chills and puts me back in that moment.  Derek had put Dylan on his shoulders and looking up at him, I saw a little boy in awe, curiously studying the shuttle, connecting with it in a way that only a child could, and taking it all in.  He got it.  He got how special this moment was and his eyes never veered away until minutes later when the shuttle was a distant dot in the sky.  Dylan didn't speak during the launch, but spontaneously began clapping several times.  Unforgettable moments...

Dylan kissing John Glenn

            It might seem as if the shuttle program and reconnecting kids with nature are completely unconnected.  Look a little closer and you will remember that the shuttle program began as a challenge to the American people to unite together and imagine the impossible.  It was a call to action; a call to rise above our individual daily lives and to embrace that we were a part of something bigger, something connected, something important.  In many ways, nature has provided us with the same challenge;  forcing us to look at the future changes to our way of life if we are not able to band together as a people, living with the Earth and minimizing our impact.  As parents, our call to action is to find ways to immerse our children with the outdoors, paving the pathway for future responsibility and conservation.  Then, as we watch our beautiful children form into tomorrow's leaders, we should watch as Dylan did Discovery:  curiously, proudly, and with spontaneous, wild clapping.

For more information on Discovery's last mission, check out http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html.

Winter Family Fitness Day at Pineland Farms

Making the trek uphill

          Sometimes a little fresh air is just what the doctor ordered!  After a week of recovering from our first colds since summer time (I'm whispering this, so that they don't come back), we were ready for some sunshine, some warmer temperatures, and some fun.  We might not have found any warmer temperatures, but we found the sunshine and fun at Pineland Farms on Monday, February 21. The Winter Family Fitness Day event was free and well worth the half-hour drive.  Although we spent most of our day at the sledding hill, there were many other outdoor activities at the Farm if only we could have torn Dylan away.  The well-sloped sledding hills provide a fast ride landing you at the bottom without the typical crashes into trees or other children.  There are so many areas to sled here that even on the busiest days the hills are never as crowded as at Eastern Promenade or Payson Park.

            If sledding is not your thing, there is a great skating pond and numerous trails through the expansive farm and surrounding woods. Pineland Farm charges $3.00 per person for those interested in self-guided exploration.  Make sure to check out a nature pack at the Welcome Center to use during your adventure.  Nature packs include a variety of outdoor tools including field guides, binoculars, and local species tracking and nesting information.  They also rent out snowshoe and cross country ski to use on the many trails.  Prices are as follows: 
SKI & SNOWSHOE PASSES
Day Passes

Laura and Claire

Adult Ski Pass
$13 Day
$9 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Senior/Youth Ski Pass
$9 Day
$6 Afternoon (after 1pm)
Children (under 6) FREE

Adult/Senior/Youth Snowshoe Pass
$6 Day
$4 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Dylan and Casey

            Make sure to stop in at the market, located right next to the Welcome Center, for lunch.  They have breads, cheeses, sandwiches, drinks and tables for you to eat with your family in a laid back atmosphere.  Every Monday there is a story time at 10:00 that provides a snack, story, and some group songs.  Each month the Farm showcases special events from milking the cows to carving pumpkins to learning about making maple syrup.  Pineland Farms is a wonderful, inexpensive place in which to immerse your family in the outdoors.  If you have been there before, please share your experience!  For more information, check out http://www.pinelandfarms.org/index.htm.