Anastasia State Park

At Anastasia State Park, we find a quaint, elevated picnic seating area, entitled the Hill Top, and we fuel up on our plant-based picnic lunch. Upon filling our bellies, we pause to take in the distant sounds of the ocean waves washing ashore, and we instantly feel our bodies craving that cool cleanse.

After a few moments, we open our eyes to see a chance for adventure. We decide to leave our cares and our clothes behind, and venture out to the sea, hurrying along to the beach where we could cool down on a hot summer day. Four miles of fine-grained white sand cover the shoreline, bordered by tidal salt marsh and maritime hammock, where beach-goers can surf, swim, fish, bike, kayak, or bird and whale watch. Many folks capture seagulls on film, gazing and listening as they screech their songs in the warm summer breeze.

Carrying only a towel and sand mat, we walk along the beach, selecting beautiful seashells and basking in the smell of brackish air. Stopping for a quick dip in the warm ocean water, hand-in-hand, we guide each other to immerse our bodies in the salty waves.

Then after cooling down, we perch on our beach mat for a few moments, watching the crabs scurry along the shoreline, allowing the sun to soak through our pores on this tender day. Letting the sun beat down on my face, I take in more of the salty aromas, the crisp wind surrounding, and the free feeling of having nowhere to be but right here in the present.

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