The Beach

Growing up on some of the best beaches the Atlantic Ocean has to offer, it is no surprise that I get homesick this time of year. The urge and desperation for me to share with our son what growing up on the water is like is quelled, well kind of, by the little lake, just shy of a mile away from the house. While Cook Inlet is just 4 miles away on the bike path it is not a swimmer's paradise, aside from the shipping lane for cargo ships the inlet is not really even boat friendly, with it's drastic tide and silty water. It still seems bizarre to me to be looking at the ocean and not see a boat in sight. Goose Lake is a more of a glorified pond then a lake, but it's sand beach complete with actual lifeguards helps. Loading up the stroller with blanket, snacks, towels and sand toys elicits the thrill I remember as a kid for this Little Bear.  The familiar scene of sand left along the bottom of the bathtub at night is comforting. There's even a resident family of ducks that comes back year after year. They are a little too domesticated though.