My friend Hodel has been visiting, but she is going to be going home soon, so I made sure my moms agreed to take her to one last special place- Jacob Riis Park Beach on the Rockaways. For most of the summer, the water is very, very cold. In September, the water is quite warm and you can go wading or swimming without freezing your heinie off! The waves were huge as the day before, there was a big storm and a tornado only a few blocks from the beach. Luckily, the day we went, the sky was clear and blue with no sign of storms.



Hodel is from Ohio, where they don't have big ocean beaches. I think she was very happy to come and dip her toes in the Atlantic Ocean. Jacob Riis Park Beach is on a barrier island- to get there, you have to cross two bridges and go through the little village of Broad Channel. It's a pretty drive; we went right past Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, another favorite outdoor place I like to take my friends.



After Labor Day, the park service no longer posts lifeguards to the beach, so there were very few families there. Since we weren't planning to swim, we were safe and enjoyed the quiet environment. Hodel and I walked around looking for shells and skate cases.



Hodel wore a white dress to the beach; she looked so summery and pretty! I felt sad that she'll be leaving so soon. It's always nice to spend time with dear friends. Hodel and I have known each other through the internet for a few years, but it was only this summer that we finally got to meet in person.



Here's me on the beach!



Hodel and I looked out over the Atlantic, enjoying our time together.  I'm glad Hodel got to visit me- and I'm especially glad she got to see a National Park Service site while she was here!