14Aug2017 A Beach Day
By Elizabeth Kelch
“Ready for a little beach time!” I asked, wide eyed and grinning. Finally getting some weekend time in this easy-going, no-worries, beach town, I knew I wanted to lie in the sand with a good book today. Bill agreed it was a good day for it and after a peaceful morning at home, we collected our chairs, cooler, and assorted beach equipment and headed for the ocean. Our day was to be punctuated by waves chasing us back, many items forgotten and the nice surprise of family showing up.
Making the long, grueling hike 5mins across the island and arriving on the sand, we looked at each other thinking “Wow, crowded.” Yesterday was cloudy and rainy, so with Saturday’s weather screwing up plenty of folk’s beach plans, Sunday was doubly crowded. Picking our way through the crowd, we found a spot near the water’s edge, apparently a bit close to the waves.
Plopping ourselves in our camp-for-the-day, the first thing we forgot was remembered and Bill walked back to the boat. After he got back and swam a bit the next thing we forgot was remembered. Going all day without sunscreen would not be a smart decision. Recognizing I would need it more than him, with his Italian skin, I volunteered, “I’ll go this time”. And then later, I had to go again for a light wrap to cover up from the sun. There is always stuff forgotten for adventures like this, and we were both glad it was not such a grueling journey back home to pick up these forgottens.
When we arrived, we plopped our camp close to the water as it’s usually cooler closer to the surf, and the view and people watching is better. We were just behind the line in the sand where the surf was coming the highest. With a quick check of the tide cycle, it was going out, we figured there’d be less and less danger of getting inundated. Our thoughts proved to be a false sense of security. After relaxing in the sun for quite some time, I was lying face down and Bill scrambled to his feet saying “Oh boy”. Without a second thought, moving on instinct, I jumped up and grabbed what I could. Closing the gate after the horse bolted, we moved back up the beach and our good little spot didn’t get wet again.
Relaxing in our new spot for a while, Bill’s brother called and asked “where ya at?” Bill reported “right here” with their typical banter. He was on the beach too… and had brought the whole family. Having not yet had a chance to see his girls this summer, we were much pleased they were here. Pulling up our camp again, (it’s a good thing we travel light) we walked along the beach to join their camp. We spent the whole rest of the day, right up to sunset, parked right there.
We watched the families around us pack up for the journey home and watched the teenagers staying longer at the beach than the little kids and parents. Eventually the ‘squitos chased even us off the sand. With a great many hours on the beach today, I was feeling it was quite an accomplishment. Picking up blankets and towels, we let them flap in the wind to clean the sand off. We collected stuff into bags and folded the chairs and umbrella. I assessed the level of sunburn and Bill said “Ya remember the color of those lobsters we had for dinner?” I could feel it wasn’t that bad and he was full of crap, thankfully.
Back at the dock, we got our poor family who had to go back to the mainland onto their boat and, with hugs and kisses, sent them on their way. Then, back home at our boat, no one had enough energy to make dinner, so it was leftovers and sandwiches.
So, a little sunburnt, a little sandy, thoroughly relaxed and exhausted, we fell into bed before 10. I told Bill “I need a weekend to recover from my weekend” then peacefully drifted off to sleep.