About a month ago, I embarked on a marine biology school trip to Wallops Island. There we explored the complex parts of barrier islands, marshes and dunes. Each day was a new adventure and I woke up every morning with a smile on my face, ready to learn. Now, some of the days were unseasonably hot for October and I had bug bites on my body that looked like constellations in a starry night sky, but I wouldn't have done it any differently. I loved the sound of the fishing boats sailing through the water and the feel of the breeze on my face. The way the sand hugged my feet and how the grass bent and waved around me in the wind. It was heaven.
One particular memory was our trip to the marshes. The marshes were covered in different types of grass and full of muddy ponds. As my classmates and I tried to navigate through it, following out guide, we would occasionally fall through the mud and find ourselves knee deep and unable to get out. Even with all the precautions we took, we still managed to find ourselves stuck in the mud. Before we even thought to lend a hand we all laughed at each others many falls. Even the person in the mud couldn't help but laugh and shriek. By the end, I was filthy, but so so happy.
Another favorite of mine was the NASA beach. We were allowed access that many don't get, which guaranteed a beach unlike many. This beach was untouched by the masses and was still very natural. Fully formed shells littered the sand and surrounding grass were untouched. It was beautifully silent. I walked along the beach with my camera and despite my classmates and teachers being a short distance away, I felt alone. It wasn't a sad alone, but more of a peaceful one. I only heard the crashing of the waves and felt the water on my feet and the sun on my face. If I could have I would have sat on that beach all day contemplating random things.
Overall, the trip enhanced my love of the earth and showed me more (of the countless) reasons why it needs to be protected. I saw things working together in ways I never would have imagined. I saw snails that came out of their shells when you whistled to them (now if it was the whistling or something else, no one knew) and I saw pieces of natural untouched beauty. And most importantly, I saw inspiration in the rawness of it.
Lets just say...I had a great time.
Rosie Banks
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