This mothers day I took a break from the overwhelming job of organizing my studio (I'll post pictures later it's still a landmine situation). My husband rounded up the kids, packed up the car and we escaped to the beach. After combing the shore line for seaglass (to use in future jewelry making projects) we all started building a driftwood shelter (this level of cooperation is amazing considering we have teenagers!)

It's not unusual to stumble across a driftwood creation in midcoast Maine. Sometimes they're sculptural and other times they function as real shelters keeping out the sun and wind. Ours is neither just a playful fort. We built it too close to the tide line, it'll be long gone next time we hit the beach. Last summer the boys made an elaborate structure that last for weeks. The best part was that it was constantly adapted and modfied by beachgoers.

I'm wondering if this unusual passtime is unique to maine, the only prerequisite is an ample supply of driftwood, time and some imagination. My only words of caution are watch out for rusty nails and check that the structure is safe enough for supervised play.