The Perfect Day
by Patricia L. Cummings
On October 17, 2001, we decided to drive to the seacoast, which for us means the area around Portsmouth, Rye and Hampton, New Hampshire, on the Atlantic Ocean. The mission that day was to do a little hiking and to visit the Marine Science Center at Odiorne State Park, a part of the state park that we had not yet seen. The sun was shining that day as we headed across the state, on the perennially slow Route 4 which is a scenic drive through small towns, antique stores, llama farms, and bypasses the University of New Hampshire, originally a land grant college, from where Jim and I both graduated.
Ever Changing Area
Although we have journeyed on the road many times, there is always something new to observe: updates in road construction, addition of fast food restaurants along the way, Northwood Lake where one can always count on seeing a heron or two, and the wonderful view of sailboats as one passes over the bridge at Great Bay, Portsmouth.
Heirloom Quilt from Friend's Family
During the summer, one has to pay admission to this state park. As we entered the parking lot, we saw that the kiosk was closed, and apparently, boarded up for the winter. First we made our way to the Science Center, and were both very pleased to see a large poster of the family heirloom quilt of a dear friend. Sandra Munsey had told me of the Mariner's Compass quilt, and it was fun to read about its provenance and to see photos of it, within a permanent display area. Looking around the rest of the building was a great delight. There were many educational exhibits about marine habitat, and aquariums with live turtles and all kinds of neat fish. A gift shop was a very fun place to browse.
Blackberry leaves
Brightly-Colored Leaves Mark Our Path
Although there was a bit of chill in the air that day, and the wind had started to come up, we hardly noticed, except for the swirling leaves. Starting our walk, we had to stroll past an iron sculpture of three herons. Jim had taken along his camera, and as we hiked the tried and true paths, brightly littered with yellow and red fallen leaves, past the military bunkers that once helped to secure the seacoast as part of a federal military effort, I would point out areas that required a photo for purposes of later design.
Jim was intent on taking pictures of the seabirds, gulls and cormorants, which seemed to be in a feeding frenzy with an incoming large school of fish, and also, he was snapping pictures of a distant lighthouse. The colors of autumn were abundant. Even the poison ivy was resplendent in its autumnal glory of red and yellow hues. The red Sumac was also glorious, as were the yellow/red berries of the bittersweet vine.
Passing Cloud Sprinkles Us
Suddenly, it started to sprinkle. Before we hardly had a chance to look skyward, the rain really started to pour. Jim, the eternal optimist, looked up at the sky and pronounced that it was just a passing cloud, and that if we took shelter under a big oak tree, the cloud would soon be blown away and that maybe even a rainbow would appear over the ocean. He was right! The rain stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and as we made our way back to the jetty, we could see that a rainbow was visible over the ocean. Jim quickly snapped some photos but had to rapidly conclude his efforts because yet another cloud passed to repeat the action of the first.
Time for Sustenance
We decided that since the park would be closing at four o' clock and it was almost that time, we would leave and visit the Friendly's Restaurant on nearby Route 1. A cup of chowder and some quesadillas and hot coffee sounded good about then. We drove south, past Wallis Sands beach and took a right hand turn onto a road that would connect us with Route 1. Just as we turned, I asked Jim to pull over. What I saw was spectacular and I wanted him to take a photo. Past a stone wall, and across a country field, over the bank of trees beyond, there was a double rainbow, the first I had ever seen.
Home Again
Finally home, we were filled with the wonderful memories of quality time spent together in nature. Our mutual love of the outdoors and of hiking and enjoying birds, trees, and animals is probably one of the reasons we enjoy each other's company so much. That is one day that will stand out in memory as having been superb. The best part is that to re-live it even further, all I have to do is to look at Jim's great photos.
©Copyright 2002. Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. pat@quiltersmuse.com