Santa Marinella Beach Day...in April!

It was particularly exciting getting to go to the beach in April...an excursion which could never take place in Maine because it was still snowing.  But we had a very nice sunny week and so decided to find our first beach in Italy. 

Santa Marinella was a beach that many of the seminarians went to and recommended. So we decided to try it out. To get there go you go to the Saint Peter's Train Station (top of the line for the 64 bus) and ride it to Cittavecchia. Then you basically head straight out of the train station and hang a right on the first intersection. Stop when you come to the water. 

As usual, we pass the time on the train by taking pictures in those familiar blue seats. Dieter is not quite as excited as Emma is.

Beach day!

Stella was all smiles as usual.

...At the Fregene train stop. Not there yet!

She sat in that position the entire time,
grinning from ear to ear.

Except when we started to zone out.

She took it down just a notch too. 

It's about a  40 minute train ride with a bit more greenery in the scenery that we get in Rome.

Taking in the sights

There were very few people on the beach, not surprising for the end of April and the middle of the week. It was probably before the official beach season kicked off. Or at least that's what it seemed like by the amount of trash left on the beach. But the water was beautiful!

Can you believe she's only 3?!

We soon discovered after arriving that Stella was afraid of sand. Just like she had been afraid of grass a year ago and wouldn't leave the blanket in the yard, she was now willingly confining herself to the stroller. At first I felt bad, but then I just accepted it and was grateful for how easy she was to watch. She stayed clean, dry, and in the shade for the entire time at the beach. No changing in and out of swimsuits or anything.

Easiest beach kid ever

We practically had the beach to ourselves.

I did manage to go into the water, but it was still pretty cold. Emma and I had a nice time jumping over the waves. She was pretty daring when it came to taking on the cold.

"Ciao!"

Daddy, meanwhile stayed dry too and built a sand fortress in the shape of the NAC.

PNAC sand castle

This was a neat-looking building just behind the beach. Leon liked it.

Beach house envy

We finished up with gelato pops, the same that we found on our way out of Frascati. They were just that good, we had to find them again.

Mmmmm! Lime!

We didn't manage to get to another beach until the first week of June, the last outing before I got sick and kept everyone from having fun....but more to come on that soon!