Gone To The Beach

When I go to the beach, I actually experience physical and mental changes. Good changes. Positive changes. There is something special about the smells, sounds and feel  of the water and the sand. It translates to instant peace and transquility. I have always felt this way even when I was a little girl. Other kids wanted to go to amusement parks, I wanted to go the beach. Today, I still feel this way even in the cold weather months when the crowds are gone, but the wild life is ever present. 

Part of the attraction of the beach is the rhythmic movements of the waves coming in and going out. They have a comforting tone to them that quiets the mind, body and soul. It is soothing to me as I walk along the water’s edge and splash my feet in the waves. The water is crystal clear as I look down and see tiny fish swimming about and translucent and colored stones in the sand. Then something catches my eye in the glass-like calm water about 20 yards from the shore.  Dolphins. A pod of them swimming up and down making the most graceful movements. I spot a baby dolphin with its mom. It touches my heart to see the beauty of these creatures in the water. They also have a rhythm to their motion. Watching the mom and baby feels like a visual treasure that few people get to view. How lucky I am. 

As I continue my walk, I meet up with a pair of yellow labs, I think their names were Molly and Maggie, next to their owner who is fishing off the beach. The pups have clearly been playing in the water because they are wet and full of sand. One of them is carrying a hugh piece of driftwood hoping someone will play a game of fetch. I comply. I toss it just a short distance and start to walk away when I feel a shaking doggie right next to me. Ah yes.... a game of fetch does not mean one toss, it usually means more like a billion throws. I let the pups’ owner know that I am moving on in my walk so the pups must not follow me....They look forlorn as I continue on with my journey, but when I turn again to make sure they are not behind me, I see they have already lured another beachcomber to play with them. They too are having a great day at the beach.

I have reached the car after my walk and I am in need of a rest, but not ready to leave the beach yet. My husband has already placed my beach chair on the sand facing toward the water. Now comes the icing on the cake, I relax in the late afternoon sun with the gentle sea breeze off the water cooling me down and bringing the salty smells to me. I had planned to read my book, but it competes with the panoramic scene of the sand dunes, green grasses and blue water. I put down my kindle, and soak up the rays of the late summer sun. Ahhhh, so nice. In case you are wondering where my mind drifts to while sitting there, I cannot say. I only know that I  have simply Gone To The Beach.