Monday, May 28, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
A perfect beach day...
You cannot take a picture to capture it. You cannot paint it or write about
it with any real accuracy although many are compelled to try. You must just be
there for a perfect beach day expecting nothing an then you will become a part of the performance.
Like an orchestra warming up, this perfect day had expected sounds mixed in with subtle noises that would make this day unique. A breeze, one moment here, the next gone; moving around with it the faint aroma of flowers, salt, life and death, all of it sweet. Sun piercing skin, sweat. Cool startling clear water; an aquatic wilderness offering refreshment and mystery.
Marine life performing a 2 hour play. Stingrays moving like cloud shadows in the shallow water, show off breaking the surface, flying up into the air as if at play but likely fishing. Sharks, big enough to draw attention, small enough not to call authorities, occasionally swimming by between the sand bars, between blissfully ignorant waders. An osprey flies high overhead, a flock of pelicans fly low skimming the water's surface. Schools of different sizes and styles of fish draw in loons late for their flight home and a lone dolphin begins to circle them like a western round-up. Sanderlings dancing at the lap of the water, crabs watch cautiously and work furiously.
Sharing all this with just the right amount of beach goers and a sprinkle of fisherman pointing excitedly from the shore between chapters.
Like an orchestra warming up, this perfect day had expected sounds mixed in with subtle noises that would make this day unique. A breeze, one moment here, the next gone; moving around with it the faint aroma of flowers, salt, life and death, all of it sweet. Sun piercing skin, sweat. Cool startling clear water; an aquatic wilderness offering refreshment and mystery.
Marine life performing a 2 hour play. Stingrays moving like cloud shadows in the shallow water, show off breaking the surface, flying up into the air as if at play but likely fishing. Sharks, big enough to draw attention, small enough not to call authorities, occasionally swimming by between the sand bars, between blissfully ignorant waders. An osprey flies high overhead, a flock of pelicans fly low skimming the water's surface. Schools of different sizes and styles of fish draw in loons late for their flight home and a lone dolphin begins to circle them like a western round-up. Sanderlings dancing at the lap of the water, crabs watch cautiously and work furiously.
Sharing all this with just the right amount of beach goers and a sprinkle of fisherman pointing excitedly from the shore between chapters.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The art of beach homes
I recently began working with Sunburst Beach Vacations. So busy there, it makes my head spin. Wow, is vacationing complicated. Not so complicated for the people renting out their homes to the happy vacationers, certainly not for the vacationers staying in the rental homes Sunburst manages but behind the scene there are a lot of wheels turning. Property inspections, maintenance, booking reservations, cleaning, people coming in, people going out...really the whole effort! Oh my. Keeping it all together is an art.
Seeing inside the ways people beach here is great fun. Some folks build beach castles, some woodsy cabins. Some leave artistic treasures out for the world to see, their homes clearly places for memories to live. Some live simply and some live in total luxury. In any case, you would be hard pressed to find a place where you wouldn't have some great beach side fun.
Reading the comments left in the guest books is a treat. It makes you realize how special it is to be here. People love the wonderful beach of course. They talk about the crabs and the birds and the many simple ways you can spend a day at waters edge. But I would argue the shade of the scrub oaks and pine have a lot to do with their fond memories; and bike rides and standing in line for ice cream dressed in your swim suit is unique too. A very casual beach lifestyle surrounded by good food and shopping. I must admit it is pretty nice to live (and work) in flip-flops and shorts. Yep, I'm a lucky one.
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