And finally to the beach we go.

And finally to the beach we go. I started this edition of the blog on August 26th because we were going to the beach for the first time this year. Actually I was going to the beach for the first time this year. Everytime I turned around it seemed Nastia, and Sean were heading to the beach.

We went to the usual Sea Side in New Jersey. We got there early enough, but it was a Sunday late in the season, so the beach was a little crowded. More so than usual. It was also a little windy, so when I set up Elena’s tent, the wind pushed it a little close to some people next to us. I was struggling with everything, and I was going to move the tent, then I think Teri called me and someone else, Nastia, or Elena took over setting it up. When I look over the people are gone, sorry, I was going to move it. I set up my chair, umbrella, cooler, all the necessaries. After the tent Nastia and Elene unfold a sheet, push the edges into the sand and run into the water. I’m still setting up.

Sometime in the distant past I promised Nastia I’d go into the water. As I walked to the water with her leading me, I thought about the last time I’d been into the ocean above my ankles. I remember my mom taking me into the water when I was a little kid, and I couldn’t touch the sand. I knew I’d been in the water after that, but I honestly couldn’t remember. So I ball parked it at about 35-40 years. I walk deeper and deeper into the water. I’m waist deep looking at Nastia, she is still holding my hand like if she lets go, I’ll run back to the beach or a wave will sweep me away.

A wave comes and I ride it floating above it. Nastia says I should duck under it, and let it go over. I’m not ready to put my head into the ocean yet. THe next wave comes, it’s bigger, and starts to push me towards the beach. I let go of Nastia’s hand so I didn't pull her along with me. I brace myself with my right leg firmly planted in the sand thinking I can…but I can’t. As I’m rolling in the surf, it feels like everyone on the beach is looking at me laughing at that fat old man who thought he could resist the ocean, so after rolling what seems like the length of a football field, I pop up like nothing has happened, listening for the audience laughter, there was none. No one noticed except Nastia, and I. I could feel a sting on my knee, but I refused to look at it. Nastia came towards the shore a bit and encouraged me back in the water. On the next wave I ducked under it. I don’t know how long I was out here, but I was tired when I came out. I enjoyed the water, but had little or no interest to go back in later in the day.

Last year for lunch we went to a very good, but expensive place to have lunch. This year we went to a Mexican restaurant where we could sit outside. In the real world the dinner would have been expensive. At the beach it was reasonably priced. Teri and I stayed longer than the others with us. It was relaxing sitting there on the boardwalk watching the world go back talking to Teri. I went into the restaurant to use the bathroom before going back to the beach, and at the bar sat Elena. I’ve seen her at a bar before, but this kind of made me want to tell her to get herself out of this place, and how dare you, you know all of that parent stuff. I just smiled at her, maybe I asked her what she was drinking. I think I told her not to have too much, or maybe that was Teri. Either way she didn’t drink too much. A few hours later we packed up our vast camp and decamped, As the Left head of three headed giant said in the Holy Grail "They buggered off!", and the Third Head replied "So they have! they scampered”