Monday, August 22, 2022

MOOD BOARD

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I couldn't have asked for a better one, as Friday afternoon, I departed to finally go visit good friends at their new home in Delaware, in Slaughter Beach. It was a good weekend to get away, yet take it easy. Last week was hectic with yet another showroom opening. I had never been to Slaughter Beach before but passed by it numerous times to get to Rehoboth Beach. Slaughter is hailed as the jewel of the Delaware Bay because of its beautiful setting, and very natural beach. It was well worth it. Great for beachcombing, and sunbathing, but one most watch in the water for all the pebbles and horseshoe crabs that enjoy this beach. Slaughter Beach is definitely a sleepy beach town with only around 200 residents. It's also a great little escape if you don't want the hub bub of Rehoboth, Dewy, Lewes and Bethany Beaches. There are several theories my host were telling me as to why the beach got its gruesome name. Some include that the first postmaster there was named Slaughter. Another is that the horseshoe crab that come here to spawn every spring are often flipped over by waves and die, because they can't get back over...hence a stretch of "slaughtered" horseshoe crabs on the beach. Yet another is that early European settlers slaughtered local native Americans. Who knows which is correct, but there is now doubt the beach attracts the horseshoe crab. Every spring apparently hundreds of thousands of these prehistoric creatures come to Slaughter beach to spawn, and many never make it back to the ocean as they get flipped and can't get back upright, unless assisted by human passerby. I hear the beach is just littered with them in the spring. I saw a few. We were so relaxed we never did make it into Rehoboth Beach. We opted for a sunset soak in the hot tub instead.

38 comments:

  1. Poor crabs! The beach is so beautiful. I could do with a week somewhere like that.
    I had my first Aperol Spritz in sirmione on Lake garda in 2018. Seeing your pic takes me right back there. X

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    1. I was looking forward to getting into Rehoboth....but must admit, I didn't care one bit not to make it. This beach was just so peaceful and quiet. This was my first Aperol Spritz. A good and relaxing weekend all around.

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  2. Beautiful beach, unfortunate name, whatever its origins are.

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  3. So that's a horseshoe crab! They look otherworldly, like something from War of the Worlds.
    Slaughter Beach, huh? I'm picturing baby seals and men with clubs. But that's just me. Nice mood board, sweetie.

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    1. I always thought horseshoe crabs were sort of dangerous, only to find they are completely harmless. They are sort of cool. In Rehoboth you'll see one or two, but I never saw as many as Slaughter had.

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    2. Maddie is right, they are harmless. And I'm afraid of everything and anything with more than four legs.... some days two legs.

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  4. Beautiful pictures

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  5. Odd name for a beach, but maybe it keeps the riff-raff away?

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    1. I remember always driving pass thinking the same thing.

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  6. Way way way off topic, but not really. My friends growing up had a horseshoe crab as a pet. It survived for a very long time it's aquarium.

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    1. WHAT!!!!!!! I can't even imagine what kind of a pet a horseshoe crab makes. I do know they can get pretty good size though.

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  7. You will have to go back in the spring and save some crabs.

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    1. Save some crabs? I don't think you can eat them.

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  8. They do Linda. I understand many of the residents keep an eye and flip over the crabs so they can get back to the ocean.

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  9. Anonymous8/22/2022

    Tundra Bunny here.... despite its name, what a beautiful beach! The two largest seashells in your mood board photo are gorgeous! Glad to hear that locals help Horseshoe Crabs to flip right side up as many of their populations around the world are endangered or on the verge of extinction. Given that fossil records for this species date back 480 million years, it would be a real shame to lose them now because of over harvest, habitat loss and water pollution! BTW, Horseshoe Crabs are not true crabs or crustaceans, but are more closely related to arachnids such as spiders and scorpions.

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    1. Tundra, honey, I could've gone the rest of my ever-shortening lifespan without knowing that these things are related to spiders! *SHUDDER*.

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    2. Oh hot hell!!!!! I agree with Deedles!!!! Spiders!!!!! When we were in Costa Rica, we saw some spiders and dragonfly "type" bug that were so damn big they looked like they could carry a cat away....and can you say they looked like they should have been from the film Alien.

      I still shutter.

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    3. Anonymous8/22/2022

      Tundra Bunny again.... I'm sorry, Deedles and Maddie -- didn't mean to frighten you! Horseshoe crabs do not bite or sting and are completely harmless to humans. I'd be more afraid of stepping on a jellyfish or sea urchin...

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    4. The thing with spiders and me, TB, is I'm not afraid of being bit by the little creepers. I just don't want them crawling on me!

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  10. Lovely beach!
    I love beaches that do not look too raked and manicured and keep some of that wild quality that unexplored beaches have. Fantastic way to spend the wekeend.

    XOXO

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  11. No, honey... you need to visit beaches with better names, more sun, less clothing and cuter buns. Though... if there are cocktails - which appears to be the case - I'll stick around until Judge Judy comes on the tube. Kizzes.

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    1. Well... we were naked and had sun...but couldn't do anything about the name.

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  12. By my recollect, I think you must have been about 8 houses away from where my summer beach cottage is. I know not the best name, but before William passed away we just fell in love with the beach. A beautiful, natural, peaceful place. If you want nature, fresh air, and the OCEAN, this is the beach for you. It is not the place where you will find crowds, restaurants, boardwalks, or stores. It is peaceful and country like, and that is what we were seeking. Wear water shoes, as the sand is very rocky. There were a lot of horseshoe crabs washed up on the shore in spring, so if you have young children, it is a good idea to do some educating about them beforehand, so they won't be frightened. There is a rocky ridge at the shoreline, and it is muddy as the tide goes out. Not a problem, but do need the water shoes sometimes. At this late point in my life, I don't do much running around anymore and the social life is slowly to a halt. Plus, I have my memories of William here, since it's the last place we wanted to live.

    Now if you ever get back, we must meet!!!! If I'm down there. I will have you in for a lovely luncheon.

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  13. Love the pics. I could use a beach day and long over due.

    But Slaughter Beach?!? Does Stephen King know about this beach? I see a good horror movie film set here. No offense Agnes.

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  14. Great post for Monday!!!!!! Beautiful & Peaceful Perfection you captured.
    My other half and I visited for two weeks the end of June into the beginning of July. We LOVED it!! It's great for us in DC to get too and good if you're not in the mood for the hoopla of Rehoboth.

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  15. Wait a damn minute! No naked hot tube pictures?!?!?! WTF?

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  16. I miss East Coast beaches, sweetpea! Your photos are gorgeous. Our daughter loves an Aperol Spritz before dinner year round (not every day, of course)! The MITM and I are still enjoying Pimm's Cups! xoxo

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  17. Look like a nice place to take off the shoes and rub your feet in the sand.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  18. Anonymous8/22/2022

    I love the beach. Looks like a very beautiful one.

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  19. That looks like pure bliss, dead crabs notwithstanding.

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  20. Anonymous8/23/2022

    HuntleyBiGuy:
    Man those are some peaceful pictures. A quiet beach and cock-a-tails, what more could you ask for?

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  21. Looks absolutely gorgeous! I wish I was there.
    Sx

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  22. What a beautiful place. I wouldn't mind being there for a weekend or longer myself.

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  23. What is the origin of the name Slaughter Beach? I take it that is horseshoe crab as in the crabs that are tortured for medical purposes, poor bloody things. Lovely pics.

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    1. There are various lores. One was it is rumored to be named after its orginal postmaster. Another is that when European settlers arrived they slaughtered the native Americans...and another because of the poor littered horseshoe crabs that get flipped by the waves and the die because they can't get back upside right...looking like a slaughter. Seems to be a mystery. But it is so peaceful there.

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  24. The pictures are so pretty and inspiring. I think I could use a day at the beach, and this could be a good option...not quite as far as Rehoboth Beach. Love the little beach birdie.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!