Monthly Archives:

July 2014

Beachy Keen – 3

It’s been years – almost thirty in fact – since I last played on the beach with my brother. But when he asked me to help his kids bury him in the sand, it was as if no time at all had passed. We’d done that as kids – well, I’d buried him (never the other way around because I did not find any joy in being buried alive) and here we were doing it with his children. Someone just needs to cue the ‘Circle of Life’ and be done with it.

There’s something very Tim Burton-esque about seeing your brother’s disembodied head in the sand, barking orders to his kids, and then to you. And there’s something very satisfying about getting to ignore those orders.

After seeing the fun that his Dad was having, Noah wanted to be buried too. Like father, like son.

Noah’s sister Emi was only too happy to oblige. Like uncle, like niece.

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Beachy Keen ~ 1

When the sun beats down, and the ocean laps at your feet, there is little to do but enjoy the moment, listen to the sea gulls, and take it all in. Making it even more special is the excitement and thrill that the kids get when frolicking on the beach. Without further words to get in the way, here is the start to a series of posts from our family vacation.

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Sea Roses and Beach Appetites

The sea roses were in full bloom, and around every corner the heavy fragrance of Rosa rugosa balanced the salty sea air. One of the first things I did upon getting my bearings was to find the walkway to the ocean, and its accompanying cache of roses, and inhale deeply. It reset the system. It started the vacation. And it brought me back to the shore.

Our accommodations were standard seaside fare, with a couple of pools on the property. As mentioned, they let us into our rooms a little before check-in (impatient kids have a way of working wonders with hotel staff) but beyond that, the staff was exceptionally friendly and efficient. If I can find the time, I’ll write up a TripAdvisor review. Otherwise, these pool pics are all I’ve got.

As nice as the pools were, it was the beach that was the destination, and Noah and Emi wasted no time in getting out to the sand.

Sometimes there is no greater balm upon the soul than that which comes from watching your niece and nephew play on a sunny beach, but a sunset in Cape Cod can come pretty close.

As can dinner with your husband, a dear friend, and the family.

By the time the day came to a close, we had eased into the relaxation that only a vacation can afford. That, and a seafood dinner, made for a good night of sleep.

The sun settled over the water, and I settled into a pillow.

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