Passion on the Sand

Story and Photos by Samantha  Wilkinson, Park Ranger, Reid State Park. Distributed by Permission of the Maine Department of Conservation

I once read somewhere that we should chase down passion like it’s the last bus of the night.

That may be true, but last weekend at Reid State Park, there was no need for a mad dash down an empty street. Passion stepped right out of his horse trailer into the parking lot — along with his stable-mates Tina and Savannah.

“Road apples” are rare on Reid’s beaches, as most horseback riders prefer the sands of Popham Beach or the miles of trails at Bradbury Mountain and Vaughan Woods state parks. The quiet clicks of digital cameras, however, signaled that Reid’s beachgoers also welcomed the sight of the three animals.

“His full name is Sheik’s Passion,” owner Ginny Baker told me, as she beamed proudly at her beautiful brown gelding, “but we just call him Passion.”

I took a few tentative steps closer, unsure of exactly how to introduce myself to a horse. It was a little like meeting a foreign dignitary, and I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds, afraid of doing something that might inadvertently offend him.

“That’s ok, you can pet him,” Abby, Ginny’s daughter, cheerfully reassured me. “He’s a good boy!” Passion responded with an emphatic whinny, moving his giant head up and down the way horses do, as if nodding in agreement.

I gleefully took Abby up on the offer and ran my hand along Passion’s neck. Clearly, I was a higher life form on paper only. With a few twitches of his sizable nose, Passion learned all he needed to know about me, and probably about the increasing audience of spectators as well.

The Bakers couldn’t have chosen a nicer day for a ride on the beach!

Although it was only early March, the unseasonably warm temperatures and gentle breeze did a remarkable job of making a liar out of the calendar; even the ocean seemed to relax and stretch out in the sun, having worn itself out after several months of temper tantrums.

The horses stole the show all day, turning heads and winning hearts — including mine — all along Mile Beach, but it wasn’t until the afternoon shadows began to lengthen that I was treated to the best performance of all.

The saddles and riding gear had already been removed, so it confused me when the women started to lead their horses back to the beach. Ginny Baker giggled. “Horses really enjoy rolling in the sand” she said, motioning for me to follow them.

Sure enough, within moments of setting hoof on Half Mile Beach, Passion lowered his bulk onto the sand. Then, with the carefree, rapturous spirit attainable only by a creature that has never experienced a load of sand in his swimsuit, Passion rolled. And rolled. And rolled again.

His simple and sincere display of joy was beautiful to watch, and I couldn’t help clapping and laughing and cheering the huge animal on.

To my delight, I suddenly noticed that among the handful of park patrons also lucky enough to witness the revelry were my dear old friends, Derek and Caelie Smith of Woolwich, who I hadn’t seen in years.

We did our own version of Passion’s happy-dance and caught up with each other while the horses continued their merry frolic on the shore. None of us was in a hurry to leave.

When I finally closed the park gate that night, it dawned on me that in just one day at Reid State Park, I had made new friends, warmly embraced old ones, and learned that horses like to play on the beach, too.

If I wrote a million columns, I couldn’t come up with a more fitting commentary on what Maine state parks are all about, what they offer us, and the extent to which they touch our lives than the events of that day.

Visit your favorite state parks often this year. Sometimes, you know, Passion will trot right out in front of you.

Horseback riding is allowed on park beaches from Oct.1 to April 1. For specific regulations regarding horses, please contact your favorite state park directly.

Upcoming events at Maine state parks:

· March 13 — Take It Outside Family Fun Day – Vaughan Woods State Park
· April 1 – First-Time Camper registration begins.

For more information on events at Maine state parks, go to: www.parksandlands.com