December 3 & 4

A weather forecast for a balmy September day put us back on the road in December. Jules put hunting on the back burner as we plucked what could be the last fruit of our bountiful year on Magic.

A post-lunch departure gave us a limited amount of daylight to burn, but we fired it up and headed toward Delaware. After crossing the bridge, we followed the river to the bay along Route 9. The Augustine Wildlife Area is always beautiful. I love the tidal water that leaks onto this road to remind us that we are only visitors here. For a short time, the bay and the ocean have allowed us to share their space, but as we all have witnessed, nothing here is permanent.

At this time of year, 4:30 is the new 8:00 and it was dark by the time we pulled into Georgetown, DE. Out of season, the town is closed up - except for a town square Christmas Concert. In 60 degree weather we cruised past winter scenes and Christmas lights, listening to Carols. We were riding in an oxymoron. Our too short day came to an end here as we realized that warm weather doesn't make the day last any longer in December.

Awake early, we were excited that our riding threshold of 50 degrees had already been met. Cloudy wintry skies belied a balmy departure from Georgetown that orbited us into another reprieve from winter. Down 113 to 20, into Ocean City, MD. Tall condos stood inviting tenants, but the city was empty. We crossed the Assawoman Bay (I love the name) back to the mainland, then down to Assateague State Park.

Abandoned by summer-fickle vacationers, we found a paradise just for us. Protected by dunes, we basked in the sun, watching half-horses watch us. Jules built a fire and we had a "pre-picnic". I could have stayed forever. But then, winter is coming ...

We headed out and around, twisting and turning to make the day last. Stumbling on Trap Pond State Park, we again found peace in winter that summer would never allow. Sitting by the lake in a jumble of a hundred picnic tables, we sat alone and watched heron and geese try to get along.

Shadows lengthened and it was sadly time to move on. The rest of our trip was a race to beat the sundown, the cold, the deer and the impending rain. Sunset over Route 1 was as beautiful as anywhere and I turned my face into the wind. On the highway, as we sped home, I once again realized why dogs stick their heads out of the window! The wind in your face is all you need.

In these two days, I have been given the gift of a summer that never seems to end. What more can I ask...