Monday, July 16, 2007

"Once More Unto the Beach"


caption: Theo shows his winning form at the "Go fish" game on the boardwalk.

At Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., little five-year-old Theodore won a large, green, inflatable crayon at the fishing booth. Dad was extremely proud. "That's my boy." "Chip off the old block." So what if everyone's a winner at this entry-level carney game? One still has to land a fish. Well done, Theo.

He carried that crayon with him everywhere he went. You should have seen him. Proud as a peacock. He even dragged it into the diner on the way home, displaying it in all of its plastic glory to the waitress, who gamely played the role of amazed adult. Now if he'd only stop hitting his sister with it, we'd have all-around contentment.

How was the water? The sea was angry, my friend. So much so that the lifeguards called everyone out of the water, even Dad, who was hunting for mermaids between the waves. ("He could see them riding seaward in the waves, combing the white hair of the waves blown back as the wind blew the water white and black.")

Even little Natalie felt the power of the ocean. A wave raced up the beach and tripped her as she tried to escape its cold, frothy fingers. Somewhere, there's a good life lesson in there for Little Nat Nat.

# # # Reader Interaction Feature # # #

Where is your all-time favorite beach?

3 comments:

mimiandpoppy said...

I must say that two favorite beaches come to mind.
The first just has to be a beach at Sea Isle City called CIOCA'S OCEAN. Not because of the quality of the sand or surf, but because of all the many happy memories we had there with our entire family.

But the best beach just has to be LONG BAY BEACH on the Island of Tortola. No crowds, just beautiful sand, and water and mountains in the distance.

asplashofsunshine said...

Second Beach in Newport, RI., and I can't forget anywhere in Monterey Bay, CA.

Joni said...

Hands Down...Torrey Pines State Beach...or...ummm...Cardiff by the Sea...no wait...La Jolla Shores