May 16, 2010 - Reid State Park

Today is the day that I start thinking outside the box. I wondered what I could do to help my creative energy just flow. We all know that I love the ocean so what better way to get the creative juices flowing but to spend more time at the ocean. What did I come up with? Boogie Boarding! I had bought a boogie board and wetsuit at Birgfeld's Surf Shop in Searsport so today was my first time to try it all out. All I can say is "What fun!"

The weather is absolutely gorgeous! The sun is out so I am so very excited. Well, I did already have three cups of coffee. As you know, I always think of the prep before my adventure starts. Not only did I pack my usual bag with clothes and camera but I had two bags. One to take onto the beach and one to keep in the car. I loaded my LL Bean bag with towels, camera, bathing suit, electronics and food that I had purchased at Slates Bakery and at Boytons. Oh, and do not forget to bring water! With my boogie board and wetsuit loaded in the back of the car, I was ready to hit the road to Reid State Park. My car will almost take me there automatically now.



Todd's Point was not open so I had to park at the Griffith Head at the other end of Mile Beach. This means that I had to wander all the way down the other end of the beach. Let's just say that putting on a wetsuit is a fascinating experiment in squeezing into something that needs to be tight anyway. Tugging and pulling was done. Phew! I get tired just thinking about it! I grab my bag and boogie board and head to the other end of Mile Beach.


One of the lessons for today was to watch the waves. You had to get just the right type of wave to ride it into shore. Well, I think I figured out which waves were best with the expert help of all my instructors for the day. There are so many things to think about when catching a wave but I hope that soon that I will not have to even think about it. I would focus on one thing and forget another. Oh well. It will come. I just know it. Practice, practice, practice. At one point, I had to hold my breath and say "Ouch" because one of my calves had a muscle cramp. Yikes! I worked through it so all is well.


While on lunch break and another break, I took out my camera to take in the views before me. Not only did I get the glorious, breathtaking landscape but I took shots of the surfers. I need to experiment on taking photographs of people. It will be something new for me. The breaks also gave me a chance to warm up my feet and hands. My boots and gloves are on order so I should have them the next time that I go boogie boarding.



After getting back to the car and putting the boogie board in the back of the car, the first thing to do is take OFF the wetsuit. Oh my. I got the zipper stuck and needed assistance! Yikes! All is well because people were around to help me. Phew! I guess I better figure out what I did wrong so that it does not happen again.


After all was said and done, I was ready to hit the road again. As you know, one of my habits lately is to stop at the Dairy Queen at the end of the road. As I was getting ready to leave, a bunch of antique cars pulled into the parking lot. Oh my! They were just gorgeous. I wished I had my car out with the top down. I wonder if the boogie board would fit in the trunk.


This is the end of this adventure so we will see what the next adventure leads me!