I've mentioned before that we are an ocean loving family. Not just in the summer, but in all seasons. We all ventured to the beach for a break together this past week. Our youngest grands were off from school for Spring Break and this was the perfect time to have a look at our beautiful ocean in Virginia Beach.
We spent the week enjoying some pretty days and some rainy days. It was okay because we had many German Checker tournaments and most importantly time together.
Miles loves his long board and agreed to let Alex ride the wind for a few blocks down the boardwalk. The wind was quite bitingly cold that day, but how can you not appreciate the beauty of the day.
Miles preferred to ride the entire length of the boardwalk on his long board under his own steam. The length of the boardwalk is 2.6 miles and of course he traveled both ways. We didn't walk that far, but we did enjoy walks as well.
Each pretty day we made our way to the Neptune sculpture. This piece was placed here in 2005 and is the work of a Richmond artist, P. Dipasquale.
Neptune is quite large as you can see and is a lovely focal point on the boardwalk.
We were able to enjoy time by the pool and one of us even went in. One afternoon we wanted to sit on the sand and take in a closer view. The sun was so warm and inviting, but the ocean needs to warm up a lot before any of us will be venturing in.
The bike trail is full of beautiful pansies that really love living by the ocean. Virginia Beach does a wonderful job of landscaping the property adjacent to the ocean.
In my family growing up and in my children's childhood and now adulthood, we bid the sand and the ocean goodbye until we are fortunate to see her again. ♥
Those boys may have passed by their granddad, but they are not going to beat Neptune. That is quite an amazing sculpture.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you all found your way to the sea and that the boys had an opportunity to use their long boards. Long boards are new to me; I know only skateboards. Pretty cool that they can traverse all that distance.
Vee, I only knew skateboards as well. Miles tells me this one is different giving a more stable and smoother ride.
DeleteI do remember that you are an ocean-loving family, and I am happy to hear that you were able to enjoy the ocean in the springtime! Even if it was too cold for swimming (or even for getting your toes wet!), there is beauty to be found at the ocean. I always sense the Creator in the vastness of the sea! The pansies are a welcoming touch. Time away is restorative isn't it? So glad your grands were off and it could be a family affair!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, that is exactly how I feel about the ocean and about most of nature. I never cease to stand in awe of it all! ♥
DeleteHow neat that you took your two grandsons to the beach for the week.. what good grandparents you are!! The place you stayed looks very nice and well manicured. Have a super weekend! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteWe so love our grandchildren, Teresa, and try to find creative ways to share with them. I know you understand with your own. Enjoy your weekend. ♥
DeleteA trip down Memory Lane for me. How Virginia Beach seems to have changed in 30 years! We had the privilege of using the private NAS beach, but more often than not regularly headed further south to the Outer Banks on weekend camping trips. I remember my cousin having to hire a surfboard for her 14 year old son just so he could pose with it as he strutted along the beach and boardwalk, never getting it wet! Are German Checkers what we call Draughts I wonder?
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
I'll say it's changed in 30 years! I've been going here my whole life and it's grown so much. We still love it, but I must say the high rise hotels are not as quaint as the cottages that used to dot the beach.
DeleteGerman Checkers is kinda like Parcheesi, Deb. If you go to my past posts about it--Grayden made this board before we were married. The children love it. https://thejoyofhomewithmarthaellen.blogspot.com/search?q=german+checkers
Have a nice weekend. xoxo ♥
Looks like the place to be! I like that pool and how they have it split. My niece now lives in the Virginia Beach area and she’s loving it.
ReplyDeleteThe pool was quite unique, Liz. I'm glad your niece likes Va Beach, it's grown quite a bit over the years, but still lovely. ♥
DeleteThis is such a wonderful tradition with your family!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have family times together whenever possible. ♥
DeleteThree cheers for my favorite ocean-loving family! What a wonderful Spring Break getaway, Martha Ellen! I know ocean calls to your heart and pulls you back to its sandy shores. This rich, lifelong tradition is such an important part of your family heritage! Hold tight to these special memories until your next visit! Sending hugs, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteDawn, you know how much we adore the ocean. We love it so and do definitely feel its pull to visit again and again. Thank you so much for your kind comments, my sweet friend. xoxo ♥
DeleteBeautiful ocean view, Martha, I am in need of a visit to our beach real soon, this post only encourages me even more. You have certainly made some wonderful memories with your grandkids, and capturing them on camera is even more special. Our grandchildren are all grown now, but we have so many wonderful memories of when they were younger. Since they all lived out of state, they always enjoyed coming here when they had a school break! They really enjoyed the farm, and the farm animals. One year we took three of them to the beach and mountains in one visit, that was a hoot! We have 7 grands, from three families, we decided we would take them to see "Horn In The West", an outdoor drama
ReplyDeletein Boone, N.C., but not at once, it took three trips. ~wink~
Thank you for sharing, I so enjoyed my visit, so keep making and enjoying those memories.
Blessings,
Sue
Sue, how wonderful to live on a farm and have the grands visit! My Daddy used to speak of his grandparent's farm with such special memories. I'm sure your grands do as well. These boys are growing up so fast. We try to enjoy every chance we can with them. I hope you get to visit your beach soon. It's something about the ocean that really pulls me to her. Have a great weekend. ♥
DeleteWonderful place to be I see on spring break. Grandchildren loved it I am sure. Va. beach does take care of the planting beds and have very pretty flowers all season. I wished we had have taken our grands now. Looks like you hit it just right with some pretty days.
ReplyDeleteBetsy, we were happy to have some nice, sunny days! Even on the beach it was glorious to sit and gaze at the beautiful ocean.
DeleteWhat a fun little trip you had with your grandsons, Martha Ellen. The photos of the boys reminded me of my son, as he used to skateboard ALL the time growing up. And he kept his skateboard for many years after. Virginia Beach looks so lovely. The board walk looks like a fun place to visit. We have one here called the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and tourists come from all over. I'm glad you got to spend time with the family, and those are really the best trips of all.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, our son, their Dad, used to skateboard as well. I do hope your son is doing better each day. We had a wonderful time with grandsons during their break. It's important to us to have a relationship with them. Santa Cruz Boardwalk sounds like a great spot. I hope you enjoy your weekend.
DeleteHow wonderful that you were able to spend quality time with your family at one of your favourite spots. What an impressive sculpture. I too am a lover of the ocean, I find it is restorative to your soul.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite lucky to view the ocean daily, Lorraine. I've often wondered what that would be like! I'm sure amazing. I grew up going to the ocean and appreciating her beauty and mighty power.
DeleteLooks like such a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to spend time with our grands. Thank you for visiting. I love the name of your blog as it all is amazing!
DeleteYou've had jolly good fun and I love that you can spend time with the grands. Something both of you will remember and cherish.
ReplyDeleteWe do cherish our time with our grandchildren, Jeanie. Building good memories for them and us.
DeleteWhat a nice mini vacation, Martha Ellen! It's nice to take time away with the grandchildren. The Neptune sculpture was amazing!
ReplyDeleteNeptune is quite an imposing sculpture on the boardwalk. We enjoyed our time very much with our grandsons. Thank you for stopping by for a visit, Pat. ♥
DeleteI am SO ready for a trip to the beach! I can just sit and look out at the ocean for hours. Well, in truth, I usually walk on the beach for hours! Beautiful photos of a fun time! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDiane, thank you. Your beach is warmer than our's, but beautiful. There is nothing quite like the ocean in my opinion.
DeleteWhat a beautiful vacation!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pilar. We had a wonderful time. ♥
DeleteFrom my life in Devonshire to my many times down in Virginia Beach, I have loved your super photos. And so glad you got to spend time with your grands. Thanks Martha Ellen, they bring back a lot of good memories.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me so happy to hear, Denise! You are so kind and I really appreciate your comments. ♥
DeleteHow wonderful to live so close to Virginia Beach ... Time spent with the family is always special as the children grow up so quickly. I laughed when you mentioned that Miles let Alex ride his long board for a few blocks( sounds familiar)Hee Hee ... It's hard to keep up with the Grands isn't it!!! Your pictures are so bright and really put me in the mood for a walk...now if I can only get my body in motion for a few clicks( ha Ha) Thanks for sharing your lovely vacation... Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to live close to the beach and the mountains, Zaa. It is hard to keep up with the grands. Thankfully, they are old enough now that they don't expect us to keep up! I appreciate your visit tonight and your sweet comments, my friend.
DeleteI have always wanted to visit the Virginia Beaches. Lovely time you had!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do, Chrissy T! It's a lovely spot. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteHow lovely to visit the Virginia beaches. I have never been. I love the wonderful tour. Neptune is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Va Beach is a spot I've been going to all of my life. Neptune is a fairly new sculpture that really has an imposing view on the boardwalk. Come visit sometime! ♥
DeleteWe love the ocean so much too!! We visited Virginia Beach for vacation one time and we loved it! Such a nice, clean beach with so much to do! Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
The ocean calms my soul like no other place, Jill. I'm glad to hear you've been to Va Beach! It's a great spot for sure. Have a happy weekend. xo
DeleteThat looks a very enjoyable Spring break with your younger Grands.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get over the huge size of Neptune!!!
All the best Jan