an island of one's own

There is this place... down the Bay a bit, through a winding river, at the mouth of a quiet creek. I've been told if I giveaway the location I will have walk the plank. But I CAN tell you that it's called Zach's Island.

At least that's what we call it. It's not labeled on the chart, so it's all ours to call what we please. We've been bringing the boy here since he was a wee lad and he has staked his claim. The island is simply a spit of sand at low tide...

And a small thicket of woods...

All no bigger than say... a basketball court. The water is clean and clear, the fish and crab are plentiful, and home is always just offshore in case we need anything more.

It's the perfect spot to do some of this...

And some of this...

Zach's Island is where we spent the cooler part of the holiday weekend. No meals planned, no activities planned, no schedule, no plans at all except to show up with our friends who are like family and just enjoy.

When I was a little girl our family used to camp a lot, and my parents named the different parts of the woods we camped in after my brothers and me. Cindy's Falls, David's Meadow, Aaron's Valley, etc. Even if you don't have your own island to sail off to or woods to explore, just a grand tree at a park can be claimed or a spot in the garden. There's a magic about having your own spot in the world, your own little place to kick off your shoes, get dirty, and do as you please in nature. No rules, no etiquette, no worries. Find it, claim it, name it, map it, care for it. I really believe every kid should have a place like this. A little corner of the earth to explore and call their own, where they can go to be free and just be.