I took a long walk on the beach yesterday evening just prior to sunset and definitely enjoyed the cooler temperatures and lack of direct sunlight. The east coast has plenty of treasures strewn across the beach that I have not been able to find out west. Seashells are abundant and for the true treasure seekers, a shark’s tooth is definitely a possible find.

I walked quite a ways lost in my thoughts and enjoying the loudness of the waves crashing. I was in no rush and had no where to get to so I walked and walked. Perhaps I walked a little too much. When I got back to the campsite and noticed the park employees were not giving up on getting the movie screen, a huge white sheet, in place despite the winds fighting them blow for blow, I decided to rest my tired legs for a quick second.

I then quickly decided to go ahead and lay down in my tent and wait until darkness had arrived in full before meandering over to grab a spot for the movie. I do recall hearing the movie beginning and the hard to forget music that we all repeat at sometime in our lives from this iconic movie…Dah-dum, Dah-dum. My last thought before closing my eyes again and surrendering to deep sleep was that the Marines never give up. How they got that screen up in these winds is beyond me. Too bad I lost my battle with the sleep monster and missed the movie completely.

With only a runner’s marathon of miles to ride today, there was no need to rush this morning. I packed up and found a nice bench on the pavilion’s balcony and enjoyed watching the early treasure hunters with their flashlights scouring the beach. I had also seen one eager beaver a few hours earlier while I was on a nature call. I am sure he scooped up all the Crown Jewels washed up on the beach last night.

The sun finally lit up the sky and my slow roll was in full swing. One more quick walk down to the water to pick up a couple treasures for the kids and off I went.

I did not get too far as I rolled out this morning as the bridge leaving the beach area was repositioning to allow a large boat through. Meanwhile, I chatted up a local fisherman and he said he hoped I had better luck riding my bike than he was having fishing this morning. Guess the hot weather drives his fish of choice to the bottom.

Just a small delay and off I went headed towards the back forty again and to a back gate to make my route a direct shot back to the Atlantic Coast Route. Did I mention it is Saturday morning? The gate was obviously going to be closed and I laughed out loud at my inability to have any forethought as I stared at the locked gate.

To make things worse, I was actually given the standard issue for a Marine, a coloring book and box of crayons, when I came through the gate yesterday and was thoroughly explained to that all the activities inside the coloring book would provide me with all the information needed for my short stay. How did I miss the gate closure times?

I soon noticed a group of road cyclists pushing hard down the road and then thought to myself that I am actually quite lucky to be doing the same loop. Let’s just go all the way to the main gate, why not? Sit back and enjoy the peace and tranquility of such a nice Marine base.

As I rode through the main gate and saluted the Marine gate guards, I stopped at the recycling receptacle and deposited my coloring book and half eaten crayons. I know the Marines like to recycle their instruments of War. Go Army! I just performed a stealthy reconnaissance of their entire base. Suckers.

I was now cruising down Freedom Highway avoiding the nails left by a shameful carpenter for the first few miles. I was finally on my way to Cedar Point and nothing could stop me now.

From Freedom Highway to Gold Star Highway and I was now in Cedar Point looking for somewhere to hang out since I was way too early to arrive at the campground. Bojangles on the horizon, let’s do it.

After quite a while enjoying the breakfast, sweet tea and free WiFi, I headed down to the campground and noticed my campsite was still occupied, no worries. I am now down at the marina just hanging out and enjoying the views in the meantime. Life is good.