Guess what! Violet is visiting me and my family! Friday was a great day; we got to go to the beach on Fire Island National Seashore! Violet and I dug this big hole in the sand and climbed into it.  The hole goes up to my waist! I had been on Fire Island a few months ago for Junior Ranger Day, but this was Violet's first time.  She really loved it.  We picked up Junior Ranger booklets at the lighthouse, but since we came late in the day, we didn't get a chance to take them back to be checked.  There are lots of cool activities for us to do for the next week or so.



Violet and I wore our swimsuits, even though the water was way too cold to go swimming.  I ran in almost up to my knees; the water was freezing! Even so, there were some people brave enough to swim in the cold water.  Violet was a little nervous because sharks have been sighted here recently, but I told her that sharks rarely come so close to shore.



It was a really nice evening.  We came to Fire Island late in the afternoon so that it wouldn't be so hot.  I sat with Violet in the breeze and watched the sun set below the horizon.  Violet told me that she had been looking forward to an ocean sunset since our trip to Cape Cod two summers ago. Luckily, there were lots of puffy clouds so the sunset looked colorful and majestic.

I love going to the beach in the summertime! What do you like to do to cool off?

Remember, to learn more about Fire Island National Seashore, check out their website at http://www.nps.gov/fiis!