Moody Beaches

Last Friday was a "wintery" day here.   It was 52 degrees, drizzly, windy and mostly grey. So naturally, I headed to the beach.   I was pretty sure nobody else would be around and, initially, I was right. I love the ocean regardless of the weather. In fact, I think I may like it best when others don't. Stormy, drizzly, windy, foggy, cold days all whisper "come to the beach Sam". Of course, let's be honest here, sunny, dry and warm days whisper that to me too.

But I think I have a different kind of admiration on the atypical beach weather days. Peace, solitude, introspection and perhaps a greater appreciation of nature when I'm alone with my thoughts.  It's very important to me to have some of those moments.  And I did have that for just about a moment.  Then a car pulled up and a man got out followed by two adorable little boys came tumbling out from the backdoor liked an upended basket of pingpong balls.  They were dressed for the cooler weather in jeans and hoodies, and to my delight, stocking caps, but were carrying sand pails and shovels.  Clearly these were also people who do not let inclement weather deter there plans!  Awesome.  Nice to know I'm not the only one who understands the many moods of the sea and enjoys them all.

This morning for example, we woke to heavy fog.  I rushed to get out on my bike.  I pedalled like a mad woman afraid that the sun would rise and burn it off.  There was no one else foolish enough to be out that early in the foggy morning.  It was very twilight zone. The waves seemed to appear out of nothing at all.  Grey and white birds emerged from clouds of fog startling me. It was wonderful!

Not to say that I don't enjoy the oceanside on a perfect summers day.  I do.  Sunshine, blue sky, clear blue water.  Who wouldn't love that? There is a reason they call this place paradise Are you starting to hear it call too?  Mermaids, of course, are just stories, but the siren call of the sea is very much a reality. Most of us can hear the whisper. But like anyone you love, you have to love her in all her moods. Sunny or dark, stormy or smooth seas, foggy or clear. She is alway beautiful to me.