If It's the Beachy Sands You Want...

It was one of THOSE kind of weeks. The out-of-balance, way-too-much-work-to-do, packed-schedule kind of weeks that just leave you feeling a little drained by the end. I needed a PSF break yesterday.

And I needed to get inspired LATE last night that hey! Why don’t we surprise the kids and go to the beach?

So off we went. It was our first road trip in the new car (Nissan Murano), and we were loving the extra space (AND the fact that EACH kid had a DVD player with their own headphones, and Jared and I rocked out to the Grateful Dead in the front seat. Yeah. It was pretty much perfect.

The drive ended up being close to 3 hours with all the traffic, and we were worried we’d have to share a beach towel with someone to get a spot. But we just wandered until we found a parking place, walked up the short boardwalk to the beach, and found a stretch o’ sand with our names on it.

It has been 2 years since we’ve been to the beach. We both come from families of inveterate road-trippers, but we’ve been scared to do much for the simple reason that it is hard to do with little kids. Way hard. And rather than being a “road trip”, it’s more like a beat-down that happens to be in your car in a strange place. Last time, Elliott was not quite a year old, and Rowen was just over 2.

THIS time, though, they were great in the car. We even stopped for a potty break for Rowen in this busted little gas station that didn’t take credit cards. I don’t think I have EVER seen a place bigger than a lemonade stand that didn’t take credit cards. What the? About 2 hours in, we heard those magical road-trip words spontaneously for the very first time: “Mama, when are we going to get there?” HA! Jared and I both laughed out loud. Total nostalgia.

I have never seen our kids so blissfully happy. So perfectly content to spend hours rolling in the waves, jumping over the waves, and digging in the sand. Magic. I hate to get too over-confident here (remember Memorial Day? Yeah, that was just 2 months ago…), but this was a GREAT day. And just EXACTLY what I needed to feel back in balance and reconnected to what’s important again. That feels so good.

The patchy sunburn spots I got from inadequate sunscreen don’t. But we just need to make a note to ourselves to RUB the sunscreen in after we spray it on… Jared and I both have these burn patches in our backs. Oof.

Gotta save some of the best pics ;). But here are some from the day:

We finished off the day on the way home listening to Pink Floyd and sipping McDonald’s milkshakes, and Rowen and I crashed out in the car for most of the ride home. I do believe we left *some* of the beachy sand there for others, but we definitely brought quite a bit home with us.

I was most impressed, I think, by how much our kids have changed - how brave they’ve gotten around water, and we can’t wait to take the day-trip to the beach again. :)

p.s. If you haven’t gone to Ali’s blog lately, you should. Go right here.

Comments

[sara]

So amazing. I'm from the middle of the country so I can't imagine driving three hours and finding myself somewhere so amazing. Thanks for sharing!

sara

[Molly]

Love that shot of Rowen! Aaahhh, life is good.

[Molly]

ok "that" shot means the jumping in the water one and the boardwalk one!

[Jackie Wood]

Sunshine, sand, and smiles. Sounds like the perfect day.

[Monique]

So glad you had a good, relaxing day on the beach, Jess! Fun pics too! Have a great Sunday!

[tracy]

Fun post! Totally unrelated but I saw some very cute space and planet related clothing at http://www.cwdkids.com/?gclid=CKu-tZDV8ZQCFQOjFQod4zOgqA and thought of you. Check it out!

[Linn]

Yes, the beach. Always a major pain (and I only live 20 minutes from it!) with little ones, and always worth every bit of it.

[Amy L]

Memories to last a lifetime! I've been picking out beach quotes for a Shutterfly Photobook in progress. The beach just makes you feel good. Love your pics!

[Joscelyne Joscie Cutchens]

those are so sweet! :) We have nice beaches in HI, although a bit far for a day trip! and for the sunscreen, you have to give it time to work... I hear it's like half an hour after applying or something like that. Good Luck with the sunburn (ouchie!)

[OR Carol]

I'm loving the beach pictures. Rowen can really JUMP! So glad you had a blast! We will be at the Oregon coast next week but the water is COLD! Hugs to all!

[brigham]

Hey Jessica - which beach did you go to? I love the NC beaches - we go for a week every Summer and at least one weekend each in the Spring and Fall. Wrightsville Beach is the closest. Another really nice beach to go to is Emerald Isle (take Hwy 40 E. to the Magnolia Exit - go through Jacksonville to Swansboro - across the bridge to Emerald Isle.) It's a really family friendly beach. Also - a good day trip is to Atlantic Beach (the other end of the island from Emerald Isle). Take Hwy 70 out of Raleigh to Morehead City and cross the beach to Atlantic Beach. There is a great state park at the end of Atlantic Beach (Fort Fisher State Park... I think)- great beach, public restrooms and showers! Yes - if you want to take a shower before you head back in the car you can. Both Emerald Isle and Atlantic are about 3 hours away. Just some more ideas for you for the future. Glad you had a great get away.

[ScrappyGuy]

Awww, your little road trip brought back so many family trips to the beach. I really miss that being landlocked in Georgia at the moment.

[latz]

Sound like pure BLISS! Can I come next time?

[Clara]

It's always fun to go to the beach, too bad we take it for granted here in California- we only live ten minutes away from the beach, 30min. if we want to go to Malibu ,but we usually only go two to three times a year. We NEED to go more often! :o)

[Lauren]

Definitely sounds like fun! I've been eyeing the Nissan Muranos....how do you like it??

[Denise]

I also went to the beach this weekend, Cape May, NJ. My dad and step mother have a house walking distance to the beach. I am also blotchy from the sunscreen. I loved the pictures; great shot of Rowen jumping. I love to take pictures of all the umbrellas and the seagulls. I will try to post one or two.

[Jessica C]

Wonderful shots, and I'm glad you got to have a little FUN!

(and on another note, HOW to do you protect your camera at the beach? I'm too chicken to take mine...)

[Anke]

that's what we just did last week, only we went to VA. The beach is just too much fun for kids. Your pictures are so awesome. I thought I had some good ones until I saw yours. I am so glad you had a great time, it is so hard with little ones.

[Christyne]

Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time!