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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tell us your favorite southern beaches
Are you a sun-worshipper, a castle builder or a wave runner at the beach?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We finally got the Outer Banks sand out of our swimsuits only to head back to the beach to get them gritty all over again. The girls hadn’t seen my folks since Christmas, so last week we were off to St. Simons for a visit and a bit more sand before school comes round.
St. Simons is my comfort beach. It’s the beach of my childhood, and where all of our children dipped their toes in the ocean before they could stand on their own two feet. It will always be a favorite.
It’s also the place where I developed my beach-going style. Some people plop down on the sand with a good book and an umbrella and stay there all day. They may occasionally walk over to the water and cool their feet. Others are sand people. They dig; they build; they bury. I’m a water person - always have been. Forget the umbrella and the book. Keep your shovels and pails. I just throw a towel somewhere on the sand and jump in the ocean. I could spend the entire day in the water.
William is an all-rounder at the beach. He gets in the water, jumps the waves, then builds an elaborate sandcastle with the kids before relaxing for a while on the sand. After two or three hours, though, he’s ready to go. Our oldest and youngest daughters are mostly sand people. They will venture into knee-deep waters, but are happiest building sand cities and plotting elaborate ways to protect their architectural masterpieces from an ever-advancing Atlantic Ocean. Our middle child is my kindred spirit. If you find her out of the water, she is clearly being punished.
Some beaches are better than others for different kinds of beach bums. Honestly, my daughter and I much preferred the wild waves on the Outer Banks to St. Simons’ calmer waters. Those who like to spend the day sunning or people-watching on the beach probably prefer places like South Beach in Miami or Daytona. Sand aficionados might choose the fine white grains on the Gulf Coast.
What are your top three southern beaches? How do your favorites suit your beach style? What IS your beach style? How do you travel with beachgoers who have opposing beach interests -i.e. you want a quick trip for a dip in the water and they seek an all-day love affair with the sun? Do you have a favorite seaside spot that has it all - good waves, good sand, good people-watching and plenty of activities around for those not inclined to spend the whole day with sand in their swimsuits?
