Pardon the Limp

So we went to Virginia Beach yesterday and had a really great time, despite the fact that the ocean was not kind to me.

The lesson I learned from this outing:

Don't go to the beach when there's a hurricane somewhere out there.

From a weather site:

While Bertha is well far away from the Eastern Seaboard, it will produce increased waves and dangerous rip currents for the next few days from the Carolinas all the way north into New England and Nova Scotia. On Saturday, 40 swimmers had to be rescued at Wrightsville Beach alone due to the hazardous rip currents. Beach goers up and down the East Coast should be alert for the dangers and only swim in areas monitored by lifeguards.

I knew this before we went and had thought about changing the day that we went. Everyone would have been heartbroken however, so we went and I was going to make extra extra sure that I kept a very close eye on my offspring. And they were fine. We were there the whole day and they loved every second of it. The waves were large and would suck you in like nobody's business. I kept them right on the shore which was fine with them because they mostly like running from waves and digging for creatures. Mike's mom and I took turns going out in to the water so there would always be someone watching our stuff. We took a lot with us and there were SO many people there! I tell you, half of Virginia was at Virginia Beach yesterday. I wasn't in the water for more than 10 minutes when I was out for the day. The currants were very strong and there were some grown men out there with boogie boards. They had clearly never done it before and were practicing. The tide came in and was sucked back in to the ocean really quickly. One of the guys obviously didn't have ahold of his board very well because when the water was being sucked back in to the ocean his board was on it's way too until it was intercepted by my left ankle. The stinkin board cut it open. Shortly thereafter when I was preoccupied with how much pain I was in a nice big wave took me out. Knocked me down like I was a blade of grass which then resulted in me landing not so gracefully in to said ocean knee first on the same leg which ended up bloody and swollen as well. The currants were so strong I thought I was gonna be sucked out. The guy apologized and I know it was and accident but still. Hold on to your board, man! So I pretty much sat around the rest of the day. Don't feel sorry for me though, I know I've mentioned a million times that I'm perfectly happy just gazing in to the ocean so that's what I did. I actually thought something was broken for the longest time because I hurt so much, especially to walk. So other than my bloody ankle and knee being really swollen, & black and blue, I still had a good time. Mostly watching everyone else. I know you know how great that salt water made it feel! LOL! They hurt SO darn much today. I've mostly wanted to be left alone so I can lick my wounds in peace and quiet. This is one time when I wish we didn't have stairs. I took lots of pictures for ya while we were there, so here ya go.

Here's a picture of Mike about the time the lifeguards blew their whistle at him and told him to get his butt back up closer to the shore. Notice nobody else out there? Nut.

He's just asking for it.

Ever seen a jellyfish? We caught 3 with our net. They were everywhere! There's 2 in the net here. Kinda ugly really.

We were looking for crabs but no luck. The water in the ocean was pretty clear and Mike thought he saw one walking on the bottom by his feet.

Don't they just look like the happiest kiddies ever? I'm hoping we can go back again some time next month. Not on a Saturday though. Way to many people.