Crabbing

Splish-Splash 

The salt will wash off and the sand will brush off … but the memories last forever. - Anonymous

There’s nothing better for kids than a pail, a cup, and a net at the beach. Specially when they're off crabbing.

Today, we were headed to the Makapu'u tide pools to do just that.

It was off the beaten track, nestled in a cove-like bay with mounds of sand that cascade down to more than 1,000 yards of sandy shoreline.

Beyond were the tidepools.

Crabbing. First Grandchildren, six and four years old.
Photos: V.E.V., Makapu'u, 2016

Giddy with excitement, the kids had scampered toward the small pools of water that got trapped on the lava. 

They were on the hunt for sea stars, various crustaceans, and fish. 

How they squealed in delight to see crabs darting out from the rocks. Funny! When it seemed like they were coming, they were going. And just when the waves came, they dug and hid inside the sand. 

The search had continued on to the edge of the water. The tide was low, pausing every now and then to kiss their feet. 

Although everywhere else, the water twisted past, disappeared and then surprised us around another corner, here the waters had lost its angry roll and came to shore with better manners, not exploding on the rocks but merely curling foam around them and receding in an almost soothing rhythm.

So how do you catch a crab?

A cup and a net would do.

If there is a crab, slowly lower the net into the water behind the crab. 

Scoop the crab out, but be quick because crabs are fast - and, Voila! You have caught a crab. 

Put it in a bucket and be sure to cover lest it climb up and out on its own.

I felt a joyful surge inside as I watched the kids looking at the world that could be found, bending down and looking at skittering crabs.

I knew that I would long remember the many images of their face, beaming with wonder and enthusiasm, overlapping each other, crawling over one another.

Like wet crabs in a bucket.