Wanderlust: beach

Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Chronicles of Our Beach

Living in a small, simple town by the shore has forever changed my relationship with the beach. Before living here, the beach was always a busy, crowded place that tried to burn my skin, put salt in my mouth and leave sand in my pants. But living at the beach, I've been able to see that the beach has many different moods. The beach, like all things famous, gets stereotyped. And there is certainly a bit of truth to most people's expectations of my beach, but like most stereotypes, there is also so much more.

Welcome to my Beach

The beach, like everywhere, changes drastically with each season. In the summer, great crowds of frolickers come to play in the sand and sun and sea. They bring their umbrellas and their beach towels and they decorate the beach with their excitement and joy. The people find so many things to do on the beach: swim, surf, read, build castles, search for buried treasure, play sports, take naps, I even saw someone film a TV show. It seems everyone loves to do something different at the beach. Quite solitude is very hard to come by during the summer. But it can be found, especially after the sun goes down when, like most of the world, the beach gets much quieter.

The Beach decorated with People

Filming something for HBO

Children Playing

Searching for Treasure

In the fall and spring, the crowds mostly leave and the fishermen come out to play. They are most present during the twilight hours, I think because that's when the fish are hungriest. Some of them have great big poles the size of two men. They throw their lines out beyond the waves, shove their poles into the sand and wait for animals of the sea to bite. Others have simple fishing poles and stand on the edges of piers and jetties dodging waves and searching for fish.

People fishing at daybreak

Giant Poles

Exciting Discovery

Winter is certainly the quietest time at the beach, but people still try to surf in stormy waves or plunge into the freezing water for charity. But mostly people seem to take peaceful walks along the beach during winter, especially with their dogs. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach during summer, I guess because tourists and dog poo don't mix very well. If you want to be alone with the beach, winter is the best time to do it.

Solitude at the Beach

I've seen the beach change more than just moods while I've been here as well. It seems the constant assault of waves is carrying the sand from our beach away to some unknown adventure. To keep the beach from washing away, the government trucks in several tons of sand. But instead of dumping the sand evenly all over the beach, they built a 10 foot mountain of sand. Perhaps it was to help shield the town during the stormy season, but it also makes a great new vista point. I love walking along this new mini-mountain range and soaking in the beautiful view.

Erosion of our Beach

It seems there is always something new at the beach. Nothing ever stays the same, even somewhere as simple and enduring as the beach. I'm so grateful for the chance we were given to spend a year living on this beach. I have learned a lot about the place I once disliked and I have come to love the beach. I never know what I'll see or find next at the beach, which is all I really want from life anyway.

New York City as seen from our Beach

Some Locals at the Beach

My Wife's Footprints

Strange Object Found at the Beach

Friday, April 1, 2011

This Week's Bucket List Additions 11

The last three years, which I've spent living on the East Coast of America, have been very exciting. I've been whale watching off the coast of New England, seen nine Broadway plays, danced on stage during Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and rafted down the Delaware river. But there are still several adventures that I'd like to have before we leave the East Coast. This week's bucket list additions are all things I want to do before we leave New Jersey in June.

-Visit Niagara Falls. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
I've been to the Niagara Falls of Pennsylvania, but I have yet to see the real thing. I love waterfalls, the dance of water and the chaos of sounds they make soothes me. I hear that at Niagara, there's a boat which takes you so close, you have to wear a rain coat. Also, along the way to Niagara I want to visit Buffalo, NY birthplace of buffalo wings and taste some at the restaurant where they were created.

From a journey to Bushkill Falls, PA for one of our anniversaries

-See New York City from above. Difficulty Rating 3 out of 10:
I've had pretty much all of the classic New York City experiences since we came to New Jersey in 2008. I've been lost on the subways, visited the Statue of Liberty, purchased a fake designer handbag from a locked basement in Chinatown, had a picnic in Central Park, woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and ice skated with my wife at a park. But I've never been to the top of the Empire State Building or any other observation deck. NYC is a city full of beautiful buildings and beautiful parks. It has a great skyline and I'd love to see the city from the top of the Empire State Building or another equally high place, like Top of the Rock.

The Skyline of New York City

-Eat Lobster in Maine. Difficulty Rating 5 out of 10:
We took a trip to New England last year for our third anniversary, but we never made it to Maine because the timing belt in our car broke. We were stranded in Provincetown at the tip of cape cod for a few days, which is not a bad place to be stuck, and we ended up having a very relaxing vacation. But I never got to visit the beautiful coasts of Maine or see if they really do serve lobster rolls at McDonalds in Maine like the rumors I have heard. I hope that I'll have a chance to visit this quiet, pristine state before we depart.

A lobster roll I had in Cape Cod

-Walk along the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. Difficulty Rating 2 out of 10:
If you've ever played monopoly, then you're familiar with Atlantic City's Boardwalk. It's literally a walk made of boards that winds along the beach with a row of shops and fun alongside. Like Park Place, Marvin Gardens and every other property in Monopoly, it's a real place in Atlantic City. Although I do think a handful of the Monopoly places have been demolished over the years to make way for new malls or casinos. I want to stroll along the wooden planks in Atlantic City surrounded by happy people with the beach on one side and salt water taffy vendors on the other and soak up the feeling of summer before I leave the beaches of New Jersey that have been my home for the last year.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Lunch with the Birds

The other day, while walking along the beach, I came across a group of birds during lunch time. The birds at my beach (which I think are seagulls, but all I really know is they're not penguins) don't usually like getting too close to strangers and seem mildly uncomfortable when I try to take their picture. In those two ways, they are like my wife. But on this particular day, the birds were mostly too busy with the work of catching their lunch and gulping it down to pay too much attention to me. So I got to play and take their pictures while they feasted and it was one of the best things I did all week.

Hunting for food

Seagulls eat Clams

Seagulls eat Muscles

Seagulls eat Starfish

I had no idea seagulls ate so many different kinds of food! I think I also saw one eating a crab, but I didn't get a picture of that. So apparently seagulls eat pretty much anything that moves and is smaller than they are on the beach. (Clams and muscles technically do move right?) I had so much fun watching the birds eat and play that I almost felt like one myself.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Surfing on a Snow Covered Beach

As you probably know, my wife and I moved to the beach last July and it's been a wonderful experience. I've tried my best to take advantage of the beach and I've been boogie boarding, thrown starfish back into the sea, had picnics and watched the sunrise on the beach. Although I imagined that nothing would happen on the beach once winter arrived. While things have certainly slowed down, people still find reasons to dive into the ocean even when it's below freezing.

A few weeks ago my wife and I just happened to visit the beach when a group of people know as the 'Ancient Order of Hibernians' gathered over 400 people together and then they plunged into the 40 degree water. Apparently they raised over $100,000 dollars for charity, a pretty impressive feat.

Hundreds gathered for Sea Bright's annual Polar Bear swim

'I can't feel my feet.'

Lifeguards on hand, wearing space suits?

The other day, I also saw a pair of surfers ready to brave the winter weather in the search for fun and adventure. I admire these guys' passion and dedication. They must really love what they do, if they're willing to surf with snow on the beach. I think when you're truly following your bliss, no obstacle feels too large.

The beach is a great place in the summer, so full of energy and joyful people. But I also love the beach in the winter. I love how quiet and peaceful it almost always seems, when the summer crowds are gone. When I'm the only one on the beach, which happens often in cold weather, nature's voice seems much stronger. If you've only been to the beach when it's sunny and warm, I suggest you try taking a walk on the beach during the winter. It's a completely different and very worthwhile experience.

A different kind of beauty

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Throwing Starfish into the Sea

snapshot of our beach today

Today, I went for a walk along the beach with my wife. Since we moved to Sea Bright last July, we've walked along this beach many times and I've become very familiar with it. But today I found something I'd never seen at our beach before.

a starfish on our beach

I've scoured that beach a dozen times, and I'd never seen a starfish before. But today I found three of them trapped by the low tides in the ruins of an old dock. When I first found them, they were covered with dry sand and I thought them no longer alive. But after my wife had recovered one, she said it still felt squishy and asked if we should return it to the sea. I thought we should try, even if there was only small chance it would help. As soon as the first wave touched it, the starfish returned almost immediately back to life and my heart filled with joy for this tiny ocean creature.

dock ruins where I found three starfish imprisoned

We returned all three starfish back to the sea, and one clam that we found along the shore as well. Returning these starfish to the sea was a unique, life affirming experience. Of course I've heard the parable about the boy throwing starfish back into the sea that teaches us even a small gesture can make a big difference to those in need. But to live out that story in the real world was a beautiful gift. I think helping is always a gift for both parties. What a pleasant reminder these starfish gave to me; pay attention to the world and help where I can.

tossing a clam back into the embrace of the sea

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ghost Towers

I went out to my beach a few nights ago and was treated to a spectacular view of New York City. I think it's great that something so sad can be remembered with such quiet beauty. I don't have much wisdom to offer about September 11th other than don't generalize, don't take the easy way out, and forgive others if you truly want to move forward. This advice applies to most of life, but sometimes we can forget it during times of great fear or anger.

View from my beach on September 10th

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Beach: A new perspective

I used to hate the beach. Salt water tastes terrible, the Sun gives you burns and cancer, sand traps itself in your pants, shoes and hair fighting any attempt to remove it, and I had a particularly bad experience with a jellyfish once.

But my wife loves the beach. And when you love someone deeply, you get a chance to see the world from a different perspective. I still don't like the sun, but the beach can be a beautiful place. Thanks to my wife, I can see that now.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Beach

It's tough for me to admit when I'm wrong, but I do my best to be honest. So I'm just gonna say it: I went to the beach last weekend and had a great time. I know this seems like a simple admission, not deserving of the angst it has caused me. But I've been committed to disliking the beach for several years now, it's become part of my identity and enjoying the beach means changing who I am.

I have plenty of reasons to dislike the beach. I'm pale and don't get along with Ultra Violet rays, I had an unfortunate incident involving a jellyfish stinger and my crotch, I drank some salt water once and threw up, and like everyone else when I visit the beach sand gets stuck everywhere.

Despite my past misadventures at the beach, I had a great day Saturday. The combination of pleasures was nearly perfect: Friends, food, and childlike play surrounded by scenic beauty and joyful crowds. I went swimming, became one with nature when I buried myself in the sand, and had some amazing seafood from a nearby seafood festival. It opened a new chapter in my life; a new love affair has begun. I'm looking forward to my next trip to the Jersey shore where I'm sure to discover more joy.

making amends with the beach

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