My Gem

Last week while it rained in Virginia for an entire week with many inches of the wet stuff falling, Hubby, daughter, son-in-law and I were enjoying the sunshine at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.  I must add that we were also enjoying the shrimp, fish and hushpuppies, too.  Guess this reporter will have to slow down on the food this week!

While checking out the books in our condo, I came upon this excerpt by John Masefield (1878-1967): “I must go down to the seas again.”  That’s exactly what I did!

For years, our family has enjoyed a beach vacation week.  First, one must understand that we are landlubbers and the beach was unfamiliar territory when we began our journeys.  When we first ventured to a beach, we stayed in an “old motel” in Kitty Hawk, N.C. with our three small children and another couple with a baby.  

Now, one must remember, we were very young and novices for the sand and ocean. On our first morning walk everything was lovely; the sand beneath our toes, the wind in our hair, and the ocean breeze.  There was one thing that went through my mind as I watched my step in the sand.  I couldn’t understand how so many umbrellas could be set up so close together as I looked at the holes in the sand.

The morning sun and the evening sunset were so much fun that we decided to take our flashlights and walk the beach at dusk.  As we were returning to our motel just before dark, we turned on our flashlights and I’ve never seen so many eyes looking at me as I screamed!  Now, I found out what those big holes in the sand were! There were hundreds, and I mean hundreds, of large sand crabs scurrying away from our feet and clamoring into those close together holes! Live and learn! I know, I was very, very naïve in my younger days!  

We explored the area as the week progressed and found out that South Nags Head was perfect for fishing and watching the kids play at the surf’s edge.

Now, fast-forward through the years and we discover Duck and Corolla beaches where the ocean floor is sandy as one enters and there is much activity for families to enjoy.

One year on July 4^th, our family entered the Duck Beach annual parade.  We decorated our son’s jeep with red, white and blue decals and streamers. Our other son had ordered hundreds of small, yellow rubber ducks to hand out.  As the parade progressed, all of us handed out candy, small toys and the yellow ducks. The adults were more excited over getting a yellow duck than the children! All of us had a ball and the memories are great, especially since our daughter-in-law who has died from cancer, enjoyed that vacation so very much!  Her laughter and smiles are embedded in my memory forever.

This last week dwindled down to four folks but the ocean always calls me to come and visit. It’s a “laid-back” atmosphere, one that this reporter loves. Sit under an umbrella, read a good book or “people watch”! There’s nothing like it!