Scenic bay, sunset walk, and horseshoe-crab mating!

The warm weather has the horseshoe crabs dreaming of love! These formidable creatures, old as dinosaurs, come flocking ashore during May and June, where the females lay their eggs in the sand, and the males, hitching a ride into shore on the ladies' backs, fertilize the eggs. We'll go at the ideal time and place: High tide and full moon at Plumb Beach (part of Gateway National Park) in south Brooklyn. Nature gives no guarantees, but we should experience a fascinating view of its ancient rhythms, still visible at the edge of the city. We'll walk along the scenic bay and through a seaside fishing community to our destination. We should arrive with about an hour of daylight remaining, so we will have time to walk on the beach, sit down for a snack and rest, watch the sunset, and of course see the crabs. Consider bringing a flashlight (or using your cellphone light), although the full moon will provide some illumination.

DISTANCE: About 4 miles, ending at around 9:30

SNACK: Eat beforehand or bring something to eat on the beach if you wish. (Consider bringing a sheet or blanket to sit on.) Or you could wait for a late dinner at one of the many sheepshead Bay fish restaurants that we will pass on our way back to the train.

TRANSPORTATION: Q train to Sheepshead Bay station. Google MTA planned service changes for scheduled changes on your subway lines.