So I haven’t blogged all summer. This is quite unfortunate, because it’s been a real darn hootin’ good time and I’m sure ANY reader would be ECSTATIC to hear about it, but also fortunate, because it’s evidence that I have better things to do with my time than sit in front of a computer. Until now, obviously… while I don’t even have access to the Internet. So I’m typing this out on Word, and will probably publish it either tomorrow or never.
I don’t know how many blogs I’ve come up with in my head while I shower. Probably somewhere around 32. It’s become somewhat part of my shower routine now. I just never write ‘em down. But lately I’ve been coming up with a list. A list I really like. A list I’d rather not forget. Hence what you’re reading now. (Err, later. Well, you’ll get to it.)
If you don’t Facebook stalk or hang out with me often, then you probably don’t even know that I’m at the beach this week. Yes, that’s right, THE BEACH. You know, that sunny, sandy, wet place that has attracted inlanders to its shores for thousands of years… blessing local teenage boys with summer jobs as heroic lifeguards who basically sit and tan for weeks and millions of teenage girls a reason to eat only lettuce so they look good in that teeny bikini. Yes, my friend, THAT beloved sand trap of a sunburn is where I have been for the past 6 days.
Sadly, we’ll be leaving tomorrow. As it’s been an annual trip with my mom’s side of the family since before I was born, you could say our clan has developed quite a soft spot in our hearts for lil ol’ Bethany West. In fact, this week is my favorite week of the whole year. Every year. We’ve rented the same beach house, complete with a spiral staircase and breakfast bar, for a number of years now and don’t hesitate to call this place our second home. But it’s more than just the house, the sandy shore, or the tanning heroic lifeguards that bring us back each year. It’s the time we spend with each other. The following is a list I’ve compiled. The list I told you I didn’t want to forget. The one I liked. It’s a list of 50 reasons why I love the beach.
1. Warm sand and cool water. Quite possibly the best combination of two earthly objects.
2. Jeeps. Are. Everywhere. I seriously salivate.
3. Morning jogs to the boardwalk. Does the humidity suck? Yes. But it is one of the best places and times to take runs.
4. Corn on the cob! Spray butter and shakes of salt.
5. Tan lines. Shoulders, hips, and feet. My 3 favorite places.
6. Checking out all the... scenery.
7. TCBY!!!!! A nightly tradition.
8. The fact that as I type this, our neighbor across the way has just whipped out a guitar and harmonica on his front porch and is serenading me.
9. Wild prints are ALL OVER THE PLACE. Swimsuits, towels, dresses, umbrellas... it's the one place you can get away with it.
10. Bright colors. In addition to the wild prints.
11. Clams on top of all the cars.
12. The smell of your beach towel after you dry off with it and then lay in the sun with your nose snuggled into its salty fibers.
13. Puzzles. And Dutch Blitz.
14. The fact that you could hang any article of clothing, towel or blanket pretty much anywhere in the house "to dry" and it'd be totally acceptable.
15. Double Stuffed Oreos. Thank you, Ryan.
16. Sitting on the top balcony and swinging your feet into the oblivion below.
17. Swimming through your family members' legs to make them scream and think a shark is at their feet. Yes, I still do that.
18. Ladder golf in the sand.
19. Coach Yoast's laugh.
20. Bare feet. Everywhere. All the time.
21. Sand. Everywhere. All the time.
22. Glow sticks on the boardwalk and the beach.
23. Digging holes. Or, watching the guys dig holes. For no reason whatsoever. (Where else does that happen?!)
24. And blocking the water from reaching the holes... of course a priority.
25. Moonlit walks on the beach.
26. Sunlit walks on the beach.
27. Any walk on the beach.
28. Sundresses.
29. Sunglasses.
30. Beach hair: light and salty. Like a good potato chip.
31. Skim boarders.
32. Riding bike all over the neighborhood and convincing everyone you see that you've known them forever.
33. Mino's comments. About anything at all.
34. ESPN, constantly.
35. Yoinking wireless from the neighbors that aren't in for the week.
36. Fisher's popcorn.
37. Seeing Ryan's monkey toes all the time.
38. Dad transforming himself into a different race.
39. Highlights in my hair. And her hair. And his hair.
40. Nose freckles.
41. Breezes from the Atlantic.
42. The sound of flip-flops on the boardwalk.
43. Longboards. With Vans slip-ons. And jean cut-offs.
44. Stepping in the footprints of any path you find in front of you.
45. People watching is an acceptable sport. I like that.
46. Charcoal grills. And the delicious burgers they come up with.
47. The Bethany Beach Bandstand, and the awesome crowd it always brings out.
48. The creak of certain boards on the walk that you've come to know, and so you always step there with both feet instead of just one.
49. That manatee picture in the bathroom downstairs. And those pirates above the front porch doors.
50. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I do love Warren's Station.
