Page 96 - 1927 Hartridge

Page 82
Prize Essay
\ DAY AMONG THE DUNES
The sun was high in the heavens as we approached the narrow board walk that led to the dunes. The air was cool and invigorating, with a certain snap in it that made our steps c\]uick and light. We hastened along
the walk, single hie, for it was too narrow to permit anything else, and
our feet made a dull thump against the boards. In spite of the beauty
of the day we commenced the trip with some trepidation; it did not seem
possible that the dunes could be as beautiful in the spring as they were in
the summer. Consequently it was with a gasp of pleasure that we
reached the end of the walk and looked out over the hillocks of sand.
The undulating dunes rose and fell, one after another, as far as we could
see. Miniature hills, valleys, caverns, and recesses were built up out of the white sand; and each hill was covered with ground pine, creamy white
blossoms on the creepers, pale pink lady slippers, and beach plum blossoms. We hastened on to our pine tree, a tree whose branches lay low on the
ground, except for one side where they made a sweeping arch of green. Seated under this we had our lunch, and then lay back on the soft bed of
pungent pine needles. On one side we looked out on a mass of green, the entrance to a sunken forest. On the other we saw billowing waves of green and yellow beach grass, while above were patches of clear blue sky, between the green pattern of the pine boughs. And always one heard the incessant roar of the ocean, the soft chirp of one or two birds, and the occasional plop of a falling pine cone.