Summer, please!!

Sea gulls who never seem to be bothered by cold wind and temperatures!

It is well documented by my family that I love warm weather and can never get enough of the beach! Now I love living in Birmingham, where we have 4 seasons; the change of seasons is always refreshing and each hold their own treasures. BUT, a recent cold snap has me counting the days until spring. So it is a testament to how much I really love being on the coast that I braved the cold recently to walk the beach.

 While visiting last week with my father who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia I squeezed in some time on Chesapeake Beach, known by the locals as Chick’s Beach.  Below is a photo of that wild winter surf crashing on the pilings for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which touches land right on Chick's Beach.

This bridge is one of the Man Made Wonders of the World.  A 20 mile feat originally completed in 1964, includes two 1 mile tunnels, and hasn't ever used any tax dollars to build or maintain. It connects Virginia Beach to Virginia’s rural Eastern Shore (and Maryland and Delaware).

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at sunset, with many cargo ships, waiting their turn to be loaded at one of the local ports, in the background.

It will cost you $12 to cross, but well worth the price to see this beautiful estuary usually teaming with large cargo ships, Navy vessels, and both commercial and sport fishermen.

The beauty of the beach in the winter is special, swept clean by the wind and storms, with only a few hearty dog walkers and Navy Seals out exercising. So while I’m thankful for this invigorating trip to the coast, I can’t wait for warm summer days, light summer clothing, and all the fresh summer fruits and vegetables!

In the meantime, I will keep using one of my favorite Little Lamb Design note cards. My partner designed this beautiful blue stationery with a delicate starfish, and I use it year-round to keep a little beach in my heart even in the winter. 

 Stay warm! Stella