Florida Beaches article: A Day at the Beach

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Florida is the beach. It was the first tourist attraction in the state and is still the most important. Sure, a lot of folks think about Disney World, especially kids, but even those who come from far away to see the Mouse won't leave without at least taking a drive over to Daytona Beach. Why is the beach such a powerful attraction?

I think it is because the beach is one of the few easily accessible places left in Florida where nature still dominates. It's a very simple place: sun, sand, water. Like a blank canvas, it allows us the luxury of creating our own perfect day. We leave our job, our house, our responsibilities and head for the beach. We leave our car in the parking lot; we shed our clothes and carry with us only things we like: food, drink, a good book, our toys.

Just being on the beach has a therapeutic effect. With the first whiff of sea air our mental state changes. We immediately start recalling previous fun times we had at the beach, perhaps as a child. The first glimpse of the gulf or ocean tells us more about what our day will be like. Will we be swimming? Floating serenely on a raft? Riding the wild surf? Perhaps we will just go wading and look for shells. Is the water clear? Maybe a day of snorkeling is just the thing.

Walking barefoot across the sand, our feet are massaged by the fine, white quartz crystals, and our attention is brought to the sensations of sand, crushed and broken shells, and dried seaweed under our feet as we near the water. The warm sun on our skin relaxes us like a hot bath and the sound of the seabirds and the gentle rhythms of surf on the shore remind us that we are in a special place with only two rules: relax and enjoy.

The beach is always there for us when we need it. Many of us who live near the beach make spending time at the beach a regular part of our lives. On any day you will find us walking, running, riding our bikes, practicing yoga or tai-chi, playing with family and friends, or just sitting in the sand contemplating. Sunset is always a special time of day here on the Gulf beaches of Florida, and that hour of the day finds us facing westward, focused intently on the receding fireball.

Even as darkness cloaks the shore, a few of us linger on, reluctant to give up the peace and serenity of the beach. The white sand glows under the starlight, and a full moon can light up the water and sand almost like daytime. Shorebirds dodge the waves like children who refuse to go to bed. Herons squawk and croak in the darkness. Ghost crabs boldly scurry across the sand, secure with the knowledge that they are nearly invisible. On some of the more populated islands you will find people on the beach until the wee hours of the morning. Perhaps a fisherman or two, some friends out for a late night or early morning walk, lovers looking for a quiet dark place, and others who just don't want the day to end.

----Beachhunter.


	Photo: skimming at sunset.		Photo: sunset stroll.