I Made it to the Beach!

I did it! I actually did it! I think I was in my 20s the last time I went to the beach, but don't quote me. I did it and I did it by myself.  That might be a first, but I don't want to think too hard on that one.

I woke up after 9a still unsure what I was going to do. I felt the urge. I thought my aunt would like it if I went, so I got out of bed. I thought there's nothing I really have to do today, so I started to get ready.

I hauled my rolling backpack out of the closet along with my old work cooler. I loaded 2 rolls, ham, chips, a juice box, carrots, and 1 Cherry Coke into the cooler. Whoops, I lost all the ice packs during the move. One of them was leaking, and I figured I'd be going nowhere anytime soon, so tossed them all.  I added a semi-full jug of water into the cooler, as well.

In the rolling back pack went my brand new beach towel, beach bottoms (that I hand-washed this morning), iPad (for e-book and audiobook), and another bag of warm clothes collected from pieces that I found strewn about the house. Sometimes after a beach day, I just feel sooo cold, so I brought that bag just in case; I also wanted a plastic bag for wet things.  Off I went, then remembered, I didn't have a bikini top packed! Whoops, back into the house.

As predicted, it was about a 2 hour drive. Not much traffic but I did see a few cars ahead of me with beach gear. There are quite a few beaches in that easterly direction (obviously), so more than one of us had the same idea.

I took the scenic route, let my hair down, and let my fingers sift through the breeze.

I couldn't figure out the parking when I arrived, so I parked on a grassy patch I saw a couple other cars parked. Going to the beach is so much better with less traffic and less sun! 

This is more of a beach town, so there's not a boardwalk or anything like that. It was a good number of people - more or less one row deep- along the beachfront.  Lots of little kids and grandparents, it seemed to me.

I stayed just shy of 5 hours. I even got in the water -twice. The first time it just felt too cold. The second time I was on a mission. I came out here to let go of my burdens, to feel weightless. Between Hour 3 and 4, I finally got in. I let the waves push me around, knock me down, wash over me, refresh me.  I let out out a few yelps. I'd love to say I came out completely healed and renewed. I didn't.

Most of the afternoon, I spent watching the waves, catching some zzz's, snacking, read a little bit, checking email, worrying about unknowns, and surfing the internet. Mostly what I did at home, just outside.

I'm glad I went anyway!