Thought I would go ahead and skip to the best part - which was where I actually met the ocean for the first time in my life. Y'all have no idea how excited I was about this. I've had a lot of people tell me they can't imagine not having seen the ocean on a regular basis. Probably equates to how I can't imagine not seeing corn fields on a regular basis. :)
I got to see the ocean on my actual birthday. Lynnette and I drove down to the Boardwalk and when we walked from the parking garage toward the beach, I saw this beautiful sight peeking out between two hotels:
I was such an embarrassing sight, hurrying toward the beach, camera poised. I was a true tourist and I did not even care. Took this right as I first stepped into the beach sand and felt it squishing between my toes. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
And then I handed the camera to Lynnette and just basked in the joy of it all. Here I am with the beautiful, beautiful beach...and the beautiful, beautiful ocean behind that. All joy!!
These pictures are my favorite, perhaps of the whole trip. Not necessarily my best side, but this was one of those moments that I savored so deeply that I can still remember every part of it - and I hope to never forget it.
Walking into that water for the first time and hearing those waves crash - was everything I thought it would be and more.
I loved sinking down into the sand and feeling the water splash up over me and then run back out into the ocean.
Huge life wish - accomplished!!
Definitely a wonderful birthday present. Definitely worth the sunburn that now itches like crazy and is starting to peel. :)
5 comments:
Looks familiar....
I'm so glad you got to experience the ocean. There's just not quite anything else like it. I love how the sky and air seem to change. The sky just looks different the closer you get to the ocean, and the salt smell in the air just reminds me of home.
Did you like how it makes you feel when the waves seem to pull your feet with them when they recede? (Not sure how else to explain that sensation!) Wasn't the water pretty cold, too? I've never been to Virginia Beach, so maybe it's warmer there this time of year, but a little farther north...brrrr, until around late August!
You are right - nothing else like it. Several people have asked me about smelling and tasting salt - I never noticed either. Maybe I was just too excited!
The day we went to the beach, it was 90 degrees, so the water wasn't too bad. I didn't get ALL the way in to swim, but I walked into it a bit and it was not bad. There were lots of swimmers that day, so they must have braved it! :)
Oh, I would love for you to come to Southern California and find out if the Pacific looks and feels like the Atlantic. I'd take you out on the pier, and we'd stop somewhere above where the waves are breaking and watch the way the water stretches up to a peak, like liquid glass, and then the tip tumbles over and brings the rest of the water down into a rolling, foamy crash that dredges up sand before the wave smooths out some and slides up the beach. It's calming to watch it over and over.
Yep. I'd take you there, and of course, we'd have to go to Ruby's at the end of the pier and maybe have a milkshake before we walk back.
Just a thought, now that you've braved the East Coast...
Okay now that whole thing just sounds HEAVENLY!! I'll put the Pacific (and all your suggestions) on my vacation wish list. :)
Just don't come in June. The whole month is overcast. I recommend August, because I understand that's when the humidity is the worst for you. We don't believe in humidity, even in August.
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