"Mommy, the rocks are changing!"

We wanted the boys to see the ocean. The great ocean view where you can't see anything in the distance except where the water meets the sky.

So, we took them to see the ocean in Boston. Except, it really isn't the ocean, it's a harbor.

We visited Old Harbor in Boston Bay. Or something like that. The park was called Castle Island Park, and there was a fort there, Fort Independence.

And when you looked out across the water, you could see the islands on the other side of the harbor.

And when you looked across the beach, you could see hundreds of families. All on the beach (which was very rocky) and not in the water. But it was HOT! So, we got into the water, which was COLD! This was one reason that no one else was in the water. Another reason was the rocks that hurt our feet. (Lucky Connor was wearing his Crocs.)

As we were standing ankle-deep in arctic waters on top of razor sharp rocks, Connor exclaims, "Mommy, the rocks are changing!" So, I look down and really take notice of the rocks. Except most of them aren't rocks. They are hermit crabs. Hundreds and hundreds of hermit crabs, ranging in size from pea to 50 cent piece. They start crawling all over my feet. So, I pick one up to show Connor, and the little crab practically lunges out of his shell at Connor's face. Connor turns and runs back to our beach blanket.

End of arctic swimming in the bay experience.

So, we set off for a nice long walk across the boardwalk (which isn't wood but that recycled sawdust and plastic that they make park benches out of) towards the fort, with an idea of touring the inside of the fort. Except that by the time we get there, all we have energy left to do is to sit on the sloped lawn in front of the fort under a tree and eat treats from the little shop nearby. Lobster rolls. Cheeseburgers. French fries. Chicken nuggets. Ice cream.

There are no pictures from this afternoon because we left the camera behind, fearing that sand would get into the lens. (Kevin had a bad experience with sand and a camera before.) That was before we realized that there would be no sand!

The next time we are in New England, we are going to visit Cape Cod. And we still have to take the boys to see the ocean. Preferably someplace with sandy beaches and warmer water. Oh, and fewer hermit crabs.