Butterflies, Beach, and Whales

Saturday-

I got up early, and got dressed fast. I ate breakfast quickly then waited around for everyone else to get ready. We were finally headed to the beach. My cousins and I were excited to be going to the beach and  boardwalk. There was some discussion about which beach we were going to, but Auntie want to go to Natural Bridges. My cousins and I want to go to the Boardwalk. Since the two were right next to each other it work out perfectly. It had been a little while since I had been there. It is closed during the winter months and opens in the spring. The butterflies should be migrating soon since it is spring. If they have not left yet, we might see them. Further down the beach is the lighthouse then the pier, and the Boardwalk which is an amusement park. You can walk from one to the other. Auntie planned to put a blanket down at Natural Bridges and spend the day there. We were told to come back for lunch.
Anissa and I went to see the butterflies first. We went straight to the trail and avoided the park office in hopes to avoid the park ranger. They always seems so willing to take you on a guided trail. We wanted to walk the trail on our own to chat and view the butterflies. It was sunny and the sun shined through the trees lighting up the butterflies wings. It was beautiful. It is incredible to see so many butterflies in one place, up in the tall trees. We did not throw a rock in the trees to make them come out. There were signs up asking to not disturb the butterflies. There were so many flying around anyway. It was so peaceful. We spent about an hour there, then went to the tide pools.

At tide pools the waves were high, so we had to be quick. We visited the sea stars and urchins that were in the pockets of the rock. I liked picking up the sea stars but the urchins were to prickly. the water was cold as it splashed against our legs and feet.

Next, we decided to walk to the pier.  We had to walk past the light house to get there. The main reason for walking down the pier was to see the sea lions. At the end of the pier, there is big square that has been cut into it with a railing around. The sea lions lay in the rafters that support the pier. They bark at anyone who looks over the railing. For a couple of dollars you can get a paper boat with small raw fish to feed the sea lions or for the fisherman to use for bait. Of course, we had to get some to feed the sea lions. We walk the half mile back to the beach. We continued to walk and find our way down the beach until we got to the the boardwalk. The happy screams from the people on the roller coast began to sound clearer. After going on many rides we decided to get back for lunch. I stopped at Marini's to get some saltwater taffy for my sisters. Marini's is a candy and ice cream shop on the end of the boardwalk, close to the pier. They were advertising a bacon sensation sundae. Gross. The taffy is the perfect end to a day at the beach. We were a few hours late for lunch. Auntie was not mad or surprised. I shared some taffy with her to make up for being late.

While we were on the beach eating lunch, someone walking by, mentioned seeing a humpback whale. They pointing toward the ocean but to the right of where we were. All of us stood up to get a better view. Then as a whale came up for air we saw it. It looked like there were three swimming not too far out. Every now and then they came to the surface and blew air threw their blow hole. They were beautiful. It is hard to imagine how big they are from the shore. We were so lucky to see them. I have only seen them here a few times. Now that is the perfect end to a day at the beach.