We’re back from the beach, sadly, gearing up for our return to normal life. We had an idyllic week 50 yards from the water, one big deck away from the dunes. The house we picked out with help from Google Earth and Street View turned out to be an absolute gem; one wall of windows opening out onto a deck facing the Delaware bay. The water was warm and gentle compared to the vicious riptide and crushing surf of the Outer Banks, so both Finn and Zachary were perfectly safe the entire time they were in the water (and when the tide was out, the water was waist-deep for 50 yards). We walked the beaches during horseshoe crab mating season in the middle of a preserve, so we took the time to check each one on the beach and throw them back in when they started wiggling. (Our final tally was somewhere around 18).

The kids had a great time together, settling into a sibling-like pattern of peaceful playtime immediately followed by total warfare and then back to playtime, which meant us adults could sit and relax a bit more than we’ve been used to. We carried several cartfuls of toys, chairs, and gear down to the beach and then left it there above the high tide line overnight, which was a huge help. The beaches were as quiet as we were used to in Hatteras, which was a fantastic surprise. Meals were easy, and we each traded off an evening to drive into Rehoboth for a quiet dinner. Beer o’clock started at noon, punctuated with Dark & Stormys, vodka tonics, or wine.

Saturday came too fast, and we stretched it out as long as we could by heading into Lewes for breakfast and some sightseeing. Then, we hit the road. Three hours travel time is nothing compared to the OBX trip; this is our destination for several years to come, and we’re already making plans to make next year’s visit two weeks.