Secret Beach

Sounds mysterious, doesn't it. Well, it was sort of and we had a great time. I was worried the weather wouldn't cooperate but it was perfect. The sun was shining, a few clouds dotted the sky and a breeze would blow occasionally. It was another day of pictures so I had to go through over 150+ to pick out a few to share. It was really a neat trip. Oh, on with the story...

So to get to Secret Beach you have to first get to Coconut Beach. That's not hard so we could handle that. I was about 1/3 of the way there when I realized I didn't have the money I needed so we had to turn back to go home. At that point I knew I wouldn't make it to the beach on time. It's a little farther away than our normal beach so that would take 30+ minutes. I called our old neighbor, Curvin, and he said he could give us a ride. Turns out we didn't need to hurry because we could have showed late - but I was the trip planner so I needed to be on time. Everyone gathered and four ladies left in kayaks. The rest of us got onto a small motor boat because the beach is not accessible by walking, due to the rock cliff you have to go around. The kids were really excited, except for Kemiah who cried a bit until I got on the boat. It was so neat to be on the water and go farther down the shore than we have been before.

I have heard the beach was washed out from the last hurricane of last season so I was expecting a small beach. We weren't let down at all. There was enough for our little group and that's all we needed. It was so neat to be secluded and the water was clear and the sun was shinning. It was so beautiful. (That's what Emily put in her journal Thursday night.) The kids all wanted to go on kayak rides so luckily all my friends were willing to take each of them for a ride. Ben got really excited and even did some paddling. I went snorkeling while the kids were busy (a couple friends were left on the beach to watch Kemiah). It was so neat. I really need an underwater camera. I even did a couple dives down just to make sure I could do it. I eventually went out with Marissa and also went kayaking with Ben. Kemiah had fun watching hermit crabs - they found the smallest one I have ever seen in my life! Emily and Xiomara enjoyed the kayaks and the sand and swimming around. It really was a great day for all of us. We called for our boat and headed back to Coconut Beach. Ben opted to ride in the kayak with our friend, Tamara, and he had so much fun that he wants to buy one so he can paddle around the sea. We stayed at the beach to eat lunch - we were all hungry since it was after our normal lunch time. Then they wanted to stay and play, so we did for a bit. I knew I was getting burned and saw that the kids were a little red so we packed it up and headed home. I really need to figure out the sunscreen thing. I did put it on all of us this time but I guess there is a time limit and we need to reapply - but when we are always wet how do you get it to stay on? Anyway, we had a great day on the island. Hope you had a nice one where ever you are! Enjoy the pictures.

This is Coconut Beach, the starting point of our trip. We took a boat out around that land mass in the distance.

Here's Marissa really enjoying the ride. Loved the life vests. The kids all knew what they were for - "If we fall over then we won't sink."

Here is that land mass or cliff or whatever it should be called. The beach is actually past the next formation that you can now see in this picture.

A rocky formation that lets you know the beach is just around the corner.

View from the beach. We all made it safely to the shore and all our stuff too. I sort of felt like we were moving in with all our bags and gear.

My kids were ready to explore and climb on rocks.


Marissa and Emily really enjoyed swimming with the life vests. Kemiah liked it as long as she was holding on tightly to me.


Kemiah's new favorite word is "whoa!" She really has grown up and will be talking (with real words) soon.

So here is the smallest hermit crab I have ever seen. Can you see it?! Keep in mind this is Xiomara's little hand.

I really liked the shell on this one. It was a friendly little guy and I didn't mind the little pinching. I'm getting so brave. Of course, I watched our friends husband just pick up and hold 5 or 6 at a time so I figured one couldn't be that bad.





Xiomara really wanted a drink of water but I wanted to take her picture so she gave me a sort of smile with a scrunched up face. I'm not sure if I ever got her some water. I hope so.

Ben was busy doing something and didn't even get distracted by the wave that came in and pushed him up shore a bit.

Emily was pretending to be the diggingest dog. She even barked at me .

The girls enjoyed the sand - that's what you do at a beach.



Here's a family photo! Our boat had just gotten there to take us back so it was a quick one and we were lucky to get them all looking at the camera for one of the shots.

Kemiah really didn't seem to like the boat ride. I guess it's a little strange for a baby/toddler. The other kids all liked it very much.

Big Boy Ben! He had such a good time on the kayak - but I think I already said that. It was a lot of fun so maybe we'll have to do it again.