The Old Man and The Sea

  Just in case you haven't already
guessed...'The Sea' in today's
story is portrayed by the Atlantic
Ocean.
  'The Old Man' is me.
  There are hundreds of things to
do along the seashore and one of
the options includes a walk to the
beach to swim in the ocean.
   In Wildwood you've got to do
some thinking and planning for
such a venture.
   The beach there is big!
   From the time your toes touch
the sand you've got about a half
mile to walk before they'll touch
water!
   Up until a year or so ago that
scene was similar to the one
with the guys walking on
hot coals! Sand can get
extremely hot!
    An improvised walkway
made of wooden planks has
eased the way...especially for
those you see carrying
bags and blankets, beach
chairs, a lunch box, sun tan
lotion and, often, a two-year-
old on Daddy's shoulders.
    These days I only have to
lug my towel and, usually, my
camera bag.
   I also walk a little slower!
   Next the trick is to find
exactly the right spot. You
don't just plop down anywhere!
   Put your blanket too close
and...when the tide changes...
you're likely to see your camera
case floating towards England.
    But don't ignore the wind
direction! An error like that
could put you just feet away
from a child who's digging a
hole to China and tossing
sand into a breeze that's
heading right for your face
and all your equipment.
    Then, of course, there's
the walk....the slow...slow
walk...into the water.
     When your surrounding
air is about 80 degrees....the
ocean water often seems to be
somewhere just above
freezing. You  quickly
realize what happened to the
Titanic passengers that didn't
make the lifeboats!
    That's why I was so very
happy with my visit to the
ocean's edge this year.
    It's the first time I can
remember the ocean water
actually feeling warm!
   Maybe it's 'Global warming.'
   If so..bring it on!
   This 'old man' can handle
temps like this...IF....I remember
to put on the sunblock!
    You can cook as quickly as a
lobster with the sun's rays hitting
you from above and its reflection
from the salt water.
    But once you're prepared
there's nothing like riding the
'floaters' and watching for
the dolphins that frequent
this section of the Jersey
coast!
    It's fun to watch the people
too! They come in all shapes
and sizes and I've heard more
languages than you'd detecct
outside the United National
Building in New York.
   But they all seem to
understand the call.....
"Fudgy Waugy Man!" and
seldom let the portable
ice cream vendor pass
without sampeling his products!
    Hey..it's vacation time.
    Hope you'll enjoy yours and
that all your NEWS is good!