Cape Charles Series: A Journey Back to Myself | Part 3 of 5
Sometimes the greatest joy isn’t experiencing the adventure yourself. It’s watching someone you love experience it.
If you’re just joining me, this post is part of my Cape Charles series. In Part 1, I shared why Cape Charles became the unexpected escape I didn’t know I needed. Then, in Part 2, an invitation from my Airbnb hostess completely changed our trip. This is the story of what happened after we drove down that quiet gravel road.
Into The Woods
The hostess offered to drive us to a private beach in Cape Charles, Virginia, since it’s not so easy to find on your own. We drove from the main road down to a side road, onto a gravel road, and into the woods.
I’d be lying if I didn’t think, “Hmm… now this is interesting.”
And there we were—deep in the woods, at a private beach on the Chesapeake Bay.
She was kind and introduced herself along with her family member.
At that point, the two of us walked down to the beach.
It wasn’t just any private beach in Cape Charles, Virginia. It sat on a property—think mansion-style home.
A hidden estate.
I was in awe. I couldn’t believe this was my life. Someone was kind enough to offer up their private beach… just for me and North.
Who does this?
The First Look at the Water
She walked me down so I could take in the space. The bay water was calm. It had a soft, peaceful balance as the sun was rising. The rolling water hitting the shoreline felt like it was telling me—you’ll be safe here.
This is your time. Just you and North.
I didn’t hesitate.
I grabbed our things, and we made our way down to the beach, where North and I immediately became one with the water.
North in Her Element
North wasted no time. She splashed around and attacked the rolling water like she had something to prove.
She was living her best life in those moments, and I was soaking it all in.
Nothing makes me happier than seeing North truly enjoying herself. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant location, and she doesn’t need other dogs around her to have the best time.
All she wants is me by her side sharing the moments with her.
Eventually, she broke away from the water, laid in the shade next to me, and just was.
This Moment Was Mine
I remember sitting there thinking, wow… this is my life. How perfect.
I didn’t own the estate property. The private beach didn’t belong to me.
But these moments did.
They were mine. Mine to hold onto. Ones I will forever reflect on because they gave me something priceless.
Memories.
Experiences.
Quiet.
Peace.
All packaged into an unexpected invitation to a private beach.
Even more so, it was the feeling that this entire moment gave me.
Three Hours of Everything That Mattered
North and I were at the beach for about three hours that day. And if you have a dog—especially a German Shepherd with a thick coat—you know that’s all she really needed. Anything more just isn’t safe for her in the heat.
But these three hours felt like an eternity of fun.
She played in the water. I held onto her long lead to keep her safe.
She dug in the sand like she was uncovering hidden treasures. Head tilts at holes filling with water, like, what is happening, Mom?
The energy she had in those three hours lit something inside of me you can’t buy anywhere.
I smiled so much in these moments. Pure bliss.
She gave me peace.
She showed me what it means to live in the present.
Away from the noise, the people, the bills to pay, and the job waiting back home.
Nothing else mattered.
It was just North and me.
The quiet. The glistening water. The soft sand beneath our feet. Pelicans flying overhead in a slow line like freedom had somewhere to be.
And for those few hours… we did too.
Next up: Why I barely went in the water (and how that changed everything I thought this day would be).
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