Obeying My Inner Beach Child

Just ask Marie……

There are very few things in life that I’m on time for.  If she were to draft the short-list it would probably include the following items; rock concerts, ski lift lines, movies and (usually) golf tee times.  That would be it.  In all likelihood, if my parents and close friends were ever asked in a court of law…..they would no doubt corroborate these behavioral tendencies to be true!

In fact, my 20 year-old daughter who (for the first time in her life) has to get up for an 8 to 3:30 camp counselor position this summer will frequently say…”Why is dad still on the computer, what time does he have to be in work by?”

So, for me to set my alarm clock for 5:30 am on a Saturday morning to ensure I’m up on time to meet and greet Mr. Sun at 5:42 am would sound a bit absurd to the non-believer.  To do it again on Sunday morning would suggest nothing short of lunacy.  But that is exactly what I did this past weekend.

In our hotel room’s darkness, I quietly grabbed my Nikon and iPod and happily trudged a little more than 80 yards in the cool morning sand until I arrived at the 14^th street life guard stand to await the sun’s daily grand entrance – stage left.

After decades of being a dyed-in-the wool disciple of all things beach-like, I still can’t figure out the allure of the intoxicating daybreak scenario.  Is it the privacy of (only) sharing the beach with a couple of old men with metal detectors, sand groomers and some young kids huddled together in big warm blankets?  Is it fresh salt air?  Is it witnessing first-hand, the Ultimate source of Vitamin D?  Is it the soothing crashing and never-ending waves?

I have no doubt it is all of these things……..

Man….if I could only bottle the feelings and emotions of this unique summer experience into a fountain of youth elixir?  I could sell this youthful potion on the boardwalk and in the process become a millionaire both in terms of economic sense and mental welfare.

This morning, I walked slowly and without purpose on the ungroomed shoreline where the hard wet darkened sand met the gray and white colored loose and clumpy sand.  I frequently gazed upwards to the heavens to trace the sun’s morning arc overhead against the red and purple sky.  The early morning rising sea gulls joined me, each one lining up, one next to another, inspecting the crashing surf for suitable items on the waterfront breakfast menu.  As I walked along in the surf, the warm water felt amazing on my barefoot shoes……

Today, I had no place I needed to be.  I had no one I needed to meet.  At that particular moment this was the only place I wanted to be.  I had no demands placed on me and I in turn had placed no demands on anyone else.  I took great personal pleasure in this thought.  For a few precious hours, I was totally and unabashedly free!

Brian Wilson and his musical brothers sang their new CD to me, a crowd of one on this glorious summer morning.    There were songs about God creating the radio, summer loves, dancing the night away, moments enjoyed by lifelong friends, taking one more trip down PCH watching the waves from the beach and witnessing daybreak over the ocean.  Harmony and good vibrations one more time!

Later that day……

One by one our fellow weekend sun worshippers trudged by; chairs and towels, umbrellas and beach bags in tow.  There was a sadness that seemed to linger in the air as they walked past us, their footsteps leaving heavy impressions in the yellow tinged sand.  As if on cue, the sun hid behind the willowy clouds leaving a pale blue hue across the sky.  I finally had a full uninterrupted view of the crashing surf which served as a stage for the half dozen seagulls eagerly awaiting the evening’s dinner selections.  I sat mesmerized watching the gulls dive in rhythm to the Buffett tunes playing on my iPod.  I watched in amazement as they went splashing into the waves occasionally bobbing to the surface with the catch of the day. 

Suddenly four o’clock had turned into six thirty.  As most beachcombers know, this is the most ideal time to be on a beach.  An amazing beach weekend had come to a close.  Tomorrow, the same scene would play out for another whole group of people on this same stretch of sand.  In my mind, I said my sad goodbyes and packed up our belongings. 

After a quick shower in the hotel, we packed-up the car and searched for place along

Brigantine Avenue

to grab a quick bite to eat.  We found a small outdoor café, ordered our food and ate in utter silence.  I found myself replaying the events of the last 48 hours over and over in my head, while dreading the coming work week that lied ahead for me.  One by one we watched as the cars packed with kids and luggage drove one way off the island, the same route we would eventually take, once we paid the tab for our dinner.  I wondered how many people were leaving this quiet shore town for the weekend, how many locals were staying and how many people had just started their vacation week these past two days.  I looked around with a bit of jealously at the homes on the street.  I wondered what it must be like to live down here all year round.  We finally paid our tab, hopped in the car and left for good. 

Driving off the island, light after light, I gazed back in the rear view mirror hoping to catch of glimpse of the large casino buildings, the setting sun or any evidence of the beach that may have still existed.  Within a few miles, I was only able to see traffic lights and cars, billboards and fast food restaurants. 

The Monday morning alarm clock rang and I was back at the office.  Within hours, I was gazing at my photos that I had uploaded to facebook from the night before.  Later that afternoon, I found myself daydreaming and began searching real estate websites for property listings in Brigantine.  Discouraged by the prices, I started to search Somers Point and Absecon. 

My endless summer continues to call me…….I wonder when our next beach trip will be?  When will I get my next fix of summer sun, sand and surf?

Grab your beach bag and meet me by the surf……

Why don't you run away and spend some time with me
On this summer's day, there's nowhere else I'd rather be
Why don't we feel the way we used to anymore
There's a place along the way, that maybe we could stay
And listen to the waves at my front door

You've been thinking 'bout some things we used to do
Thinking 'bout when life was still in front of you
Back where you belong, our favorite song
Won't you listen
The Beach Boys (2012)

“From Here to Back Again”