Beyond the Sea

Two weeks back from that big, blue ocean and already the week has melded itself into a collective memory of every summer trip taken there.  All of my stays seem to mingle together and one year becomes impossible to separate from another.  It's sweet, though, and comforting. 

This year was exactly as I pictured it would be, and I enjoyed it more than you'd think something so familiar could be enjoyed.  Some slight variations made the trip exciting, however, and perhaps some new traditions were established.  A few moments-

Saturday

Dad, being the avid walker that he is, inspired us all to walk several miles first thing in the morning. We were all happy for the company and cool morning air, and the coffee upon our return was all the more appreciated.    

Sunday

The first of many days spent entirely on the beach.  This year had to hold the record for the clearest water; seaweed was nowhere to be found.  Clear water has an absurd amount of influence on my happiness level on the gulf.

Wednesday

To celebrate the fourth, we made our way to the very base of the pier to watch the fireworks (rather than watching the show from two miles away on our stretch of beach, as per usual).  We sat in the sand right underneath the dazzling lights- the closest I've ever watched such a brilliant show.  The sounds of each burst echoed off of the highrises behind us, every firework appeared twice as lustrous reflected in the ocean below.  

Friday

Pool games this evening were energetic and fun - who knew how exciting it is to find a toothpick floating to the surface of the water?  New and old friends, late night camaraderie, staying quiet so we aren't told to leave the pool after hours.

I unfortunately took only one picture the entire week (very typical, actually), and it really had nothing to do with the beach.  It was of a couple of racoons hanging on a tree outside our door.

And it was a fuzzy one at that.

Just have to take my word on the endless blue skies, white hot sand, and rolling ocean waves.  It was beautiful.

Beach Week: Prelim

The week that signals summer in my world is finally upon us- the annual Fourth of July Beach Week.
Hooray!

My family goes every year to the same complex at the same beach with the same people.  We eat the same food, spend the days the same way, and watch the same Fourth Fireworks show.  Every year.  And I love it.

So here's to spending this blasé Wednesday morning anticipating all of the things I love about beach week-

[Trail mix] Peanuts, raisins, m&ms.  Don't pick out all of the m&ms.  ...drives me crazy.

[Vegetable lunch at Ms Betty's] The best southern-cooked vegetables you've ever had.

[Rinsing off in the pool instead of the shower]  Quickest way to get rid of all that sand and sunscreen.  Whoops... I must have missed the sign that said to shower before entering the pool.

[The broken jacuzzi]  Seriously, it hasn't worked in six years.  Get on that.

[Barbeque on the Fourth]  Managing to shower and find a sundress, but not quite getting to the hair and makeup.  Also, so many side dishes. 

[After Sun Lotion]  We go through bottles of this stuff.  Bottles.  They should sponsor us.

[Pier Park]  Do a little shopping, eat dinner, see a movie, get ice cream.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Redneck Rivera]  The condo across the street from ours.  I have never seen so many confederate flag towels in my life.  Gracious - the war is over, people.

[Laying on the beach all. day. long.] Walking across the street after breakfast with an overstuffed beach bag and cooler in tow, setting up a fortress of canopies, tents, chairs, and blankets, eating lunch with sand in the sandwiches, waiting under the umbrellas for the afternoon thunderstorms to roll by, taking a few sun-soaked naps, floating for hours out past where the waves break so the raft doesn't tip, plodding back at the end of the day with salty hair, sandy skin, and pink on the bridges of our noses.

Three more days!

Deep Blue Sea

 In my last post, my thoughts about summer were slightly lacking in luster.  To cure this, a self-prescribed remedy was in order: a trip to the beach.

 The beach is absolutely one of my favorite places.  There is nothing more therapeutic to me than a day spent lying on the sand, soaking in the sun, and cooling off in the unending ocean.  Something about the waves rolling in and out, about the sun streaking silently across the sky reminds me that life is still propelling onward.  Standing out in the water, looking out over the vast blue invigorates me like nothing else. 

 I was infinitely thankful to have my friend Britt along with me.  We had a lovely day- the sun was warm and bright, the water crisp and cool, and the company couldn't be beat.

 The little excursion was just what I needed.  After all, what better way to welcome summer with open arms than to enjoy it in the most classic of ways?