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Ballson Beach to Longnook - June 30, 2004
You would think that being on vacation would leave me plenty of time to walk the beach. But here it is the last day of the month and I'm finally getting it done. I thought that June would bring a longer walk but after working all day I only have time for a short jaunt. Arlene accompanies me on what my map says is 1.5 miles but the time taken tells me it is longer.
Arlene heads out through marsh grass at the end of Ballston Beach parking lot. This is part of the freshwater area that was washed in years ago during a "no name" storm.
Heading over the dune to the beach there are weathered posts sticking from the sand.
It is nearing 7PM so the tall dunes are throwing shadows on the beach. The sun still won't set over the bay for an hour and a half but on the ocean side it is blocked from sight most of this walk.
Just a peek at the sun as Arlene forges down the middle of the beach. The green is starting to become prevalent on dunes that didn't suffer winter storm damage.Arlene has packed our supper and it is time to find a place to stop and eat.

The ocean is tame tonight. It looks inviting to the swimmer but can be very cold - usually in the high 50's to low 60's this time of year.

There is just a hint of "mung" in the water. This redish seaweed has become much more common over the last 10 years and can completely blanket the water.
I pose for a picture just before we reach an interesting low area. It is time to explore.
You never know what you will find on the other side of these dunes.
Hidden behind the dune is a sun-drenched and well-worn path headed to an unknown area. I will be back in the fall to explore further.
While the beach is shaded the other side of the dune is still sun-baked. Bisc is on the other path. See how tall the dune climbs in a short distance.
In this stretch of beach there is a blanket of rocks that have come out of the dune and rolled to the base.
This area of fine brown sand was exposed between two sections of darker/coarser sand.Each ridge is capable of letting loose at any moment.
Even though there is only a slight breeze the sand is in constant motion. You can see the sand flowing down the dune in small rivers. The wind and gravity are conspiring to flatten the dunes.
Here is a broader look at the dynamics of dune erosion including pockets of clay that try to hold the dune erect.
In this case chunks of clay have finally succumbed and fallen to the base of the dune.
The top of the cliff is held in place by roots. As the sand moves away the roota are exposed. Patches of the dune-top will break off and slowly move down the face.Here are three patches doing just that.
There is a long path behind us. This is Bisc's last walk with us during this trek. It is the shortest walk we have left and she had trouble keeping up. At 16 she doesn't run the beach like she used to.
But we are at the end of the trip. Just past Longnook there is a family enjoying the water.
Just south of Longnook there are the remnants of an old road or parking lot finding its way toward the beach. There have been very few signs of civilization up to this point.
Here is the steep path to the Longnook parking lot.It is one of the more foreboding.
Nearing the top of the dune I get a birds-eye view of a family at play on the beach.
Bisc is almost there.
There was a strange sand formation near the top of the path.
Even in this remote spot there are rules. This is the end of our June walk. We are halfway there by months if not by distance. July we turn it up a notch.