"...the gull's way, and the whale's way..."

"I must go down to the seas again, to the gypsy's vagrant life,

To the gull's way, and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,

and a quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."

-John Masefield "Sea Fever"

I have always loved the fact that we live near the historic triangle...Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown...living near someplace as amazing as the James River is a real treat. Not many people can lay claim to dipping their toes in a body of water with so much history. Lucky for us, there are many places roundabouts where you would hardly realize the land has been touched. Fort Boykin is one of those places. Such a beautiful little spot nestled along the cliffs of the James...almost a secret beach, really.

It's Abigail's birthday on Monday so we have turned this weekend into a bit of birthday-trip for her including taking her to this secluded spot. It was a beautiful day--just the right mix of hot and cold so we could still put our feet in the water in tolerable comfort. :) Indian-summer at it's best.

These funky green things were Osage Oranges...unfortunately inedible.

From darkness to dawn...

Surprisingly, the oysters smelled divine...like salt and sea and all things adventurous. I wish I could have bottled the scent to snuff when that old wander-lust comes upon me.

Lovely evening, lovely day, and lovely people. All credit for pictures goes to Sarah, who kindly lets me take them and show them off. She and I were naughty, crossed a No Trespassing fence, and walked along the waterline so our prints would get erased...we hoped no one was by to shoot at us. {Obviously no one was, or else they were feeling kindly} Feeling clandestine already, I also stooped to stealing sea-shells.... ;) My magpie-self couldn't help lovely the Shiny!

How did you spend your first weekend in October?

"His Name is John." ;)

I realized that I did not tell you the final outcome of the entire dog-naming fiasco! ;) Well, here are three rather broad hints: [Four, actually] 

 

 

 

If that has thoroughly confused you--as it was meant to do--let me explain. The first chap is Winston Churchill. Got it? Thought so. The second chap is, of course, the ultra-amazing, entirely brilliant Sherlock Holmes. The third fellow is not George Washington (though I think they bear a resemblance) but Meriweather Lewis. You know, Lewis and Clark? And the fourth is our very much beloved C.S. Lewis.
So what does this have to do with our dog? Surely we didn't name him after all those men? What rot for a puppy.

Ahem.

Well.....

I've got a confession....

You see, there were twelve people to consult in the matter and only one puppy. We got it narrowed down to three names, and none of us could bear to just draw it out of a hat. But it had to be either Lewis, Sherlock, or Churchill.....or did it?
My rather brilliant sister Sarah had a wonderful "Snoggestion." Why not name him Churchill Sherlock Lewis, and then his official name would be "C.S. Lewis?" Ka-chow!
So that is the story of how our little puppy got such a huge name. We call him Churchill, and in my secret heart I call him Sherlock. It's a mess, but it works, and it does make rather a fond memory! :D

P.S. I have just now realized the irony of all these great men appearing on a pink blog background. Haha!