It's Raining Beavers!

We went to sleep last night a little disappointed that it was supposed to rain today.  After our adventure last week we were really looking forward to our hike today.  Evan and I don't get a lot of time to spend with each other since we both work part time and go to school full time with conflicting schedules.  We also don't have any money for what anyone else our age would consider "dates", but we've also never really been the "night out on the town" couple. We've always regarded our time spent together in nature with great value.  Be it walking in the first snowfall of winter, staring at the moon in the middle of the street, watching ducks flirt before mating at a pond, or witnessing a bard owl fly over head far beyond bard owl bed-time we've always seen the magnificence and romanticism in nature. The best of all our "dates" have been spent outside, reveling in the beauty of the earth.
We woke up this morning to grey clouds and a bit of light mist, but after a quick look at the hourly forecast decided we had a little time before it got too bad. And I've always loved playing in the rain anyway.
We decided to go to Beaver Tail State Park in Jamestown, RI. Evan was supposed to go there on a field trip with his geology class this semester, but for circumstances unknown, his class never made it there.
That's right folks. This is a geology lovin' post. Deal with it.

Crossing the stupid bridge to Jamestown. Stupid bridge.

I hate bridges, they're stupid. But Jamestown is on an island off the coast of Narragansett and there is no other way to get to it than to go over this big, stupid, tall, long, scary, curved bridge. I hate it. I would rather swim across if I didn't have to risk getting sliced in half by a passing boat. 

Beaver Tail Park encompasses the bottom coast of the island. We found the vegetation pretty interesting.  It is very unlike the vegetation we typically see in New England.  All of the trees seemed relatively dwarfed and the forested areas were thick with prickers and brush.  All along the trail were these quaint benches each with an amazing view of the ocean. 

For the fallen hero. 

I fear saying it, but I have a feeling each one of my blogs is going to be a memorial to some little creature that didn't make it.  We didn't see any marks of a predator attack, so hopefully this was just some good 'ol molting. So it goes. 

The way was riddled with birds chasing after each other for some tail (get it!? Tail! har har har.) I, earlier this week, had told Evan I had never seen a robin before. Today I saw damn near 30. We also saw some red winged black birds and had a good laugh at how literal the name is after not being able to recall it. 

We also saw this guy hanging out.

Evan on the rocky shores. 

As you might be able to guess from the photo, the coast of the park was almost entirely steep rocky cliffs. Yes folks, that's right, I went rock climbing in a dress.  In this shot Evan is a good 15 to 20 feet below me and I'm standing right on the edge of a cliff. (He hates when I do that :) ) I was a little uncertain about making it down to the water given the steepness, but I beasted those rocks like a champ and walked along the water.  We found about a bazillion snails suckling to the rock faces on the way back up, and were careful not to crunch them. 

Rawks.

The display of sedentary rock at this particular park was impressive. It was easy to see why Evan's class was supposed to study there for a day.  The shale was so easy to pick apart, and so sharp Evan actually sliced his hand open without noticing for a good 10 minutes.  Being lame and nerdy we bantered a little about types of rocks we thought we saw, tried to identify where the waterline would reach, and what would cause different markings in the rocks. 

Lighthouse.

World War II Remains and Memorial.

It became increasingly obvious to us that this park was once a Coast Guard base. There was an active light house and fog horns. As we walked back to the car we saw what we originally thought was a tomb, but turned out to be a World War II memorial when we noticed the date engraved on the "tomb" which we then realized was actually a bunker. Winners. 

15 feet up.

So given the weather I wasn't exactly able to wear a nice flowy Spring dress. I settled for some substantial tights, a sweater mini-dress, and a fall-coat. It was still well worth it to wear a dress.  I love having full control over my legs when I'm in nature.  Nothing clinging tightly, nothing digging into me, and nothing inhibiting my ability to move. Just as nature intended... almost.

These are my favorite shoes in the world. I will wear them everywhere, and continually find out they are efficient no where. They have no traction, even though I insisted on rock climbing with them (again, like a champ) and they are also fabric and the opposite of waterproof. 

I have no regrets. 

Chai Tea Hot Chocolate

I like to give myself a little treat after these outings, just to extend the good feelings a little bit longer. When we got home this morning I fixed myself a nice cup of chai tea hot chocolate. Yum!