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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Beach Day

That’s what we had this past Saturday — but not just ANY beach day.P9140028

We volunteered for the annual Assateague Beach Cleanup held at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

For nearly 3 hours, we enjoyed a beautiful day picking up things that shouldn’t be on the beach. Collected items included: balloons, plastic bottles, cans, rope, snack bags, straws, shoes, sandals, sunglasses, light bulb, and beach toys. Larger items like tires and wood were picked up separately by NWR personnel.

beach cleanupVolunteers were assigned an area and then driven to the area in a pickup truck.

The annual beach cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy and Virginia Clean Waterways.P9140072We were the only ones on this part of the beach, which normally doesn’t have many beachgoers as it’s somewhat remote from the nearest parking area.  P9140078This was a shell collectors paradise with assorted sizes and shapes.shell collageAnd these arranged in a heart shape with initials “TC” and “NC” . . .heart shellsOther finds included numerous horseshoe crabs, turtle shell, flipper bone, dolphin skull and remains of a sea gull.beach cleanup1All of these are not to be removed from the beach as they are considered natural occurrences. It’s always OK to collect shells and sea glass, which is harder to find sometimes.P9140067Even though the volunteer turnout was sparse, we had a great day — and seagulls were the only other beach walkers.seagulls in surf 2As NJ natives, our thoughts were with those impacted by last week’s massive fire on the Seaside Park and Seaside Heights NJ boardwalk.

11 comments:

MadSnapper said...

that is one gorgeous beach, we miss the Atlantic beaches, they are a lot different than our Gulf beaches.. that is great you were out there picking up what those silly people throw down...

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

How far are you from the beach? That is my kind of beach with no one on it and all those finds. So... not one can take shells from the beach?

Connie said...

What a beautiful and peaceful place. Wonderful of you to volunteer your time to help in keeping it clean too.

Debby said...

Such a beautiful beach. So glad there are volunteers like you to keep them that way.
The fire was just unreal. Too soon from Sandy. What a blow. Sorry.

Country Gal said...

Wonderful photos . Looks like you had a nice day and found all kinds of goodies. There was a fire at the well known farmers market called St Jacobs here in Kitchener Ontario just an hour from us . All so heart breaking ! Thanks for sharing ! Have a good day !

Rebecca said...

I don't want naturally occurring skeletons on MY beach. Good job and thank you.

And Misty thanks you!

Anvilcloud said...

They say that life is a beach.

Out on the prairie said...

I love the effort given.I would of had a bag of shells to take home.

barbara l. hale said...

Wonderful photos! Sounds like a terrific day!

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

You've been busy!! Loved my last 20 minutes catching up on past news!! Those are some pretty nifty cameras you've gotten!!!!!do you still like them?

Elaine said...

Kudos to you for helping clean up the beach! It always amazes me that people are so careless and thoughtless.