With a great vigor, humanity delights in escaping reality, even if only for a short time. Some choose to play sports, some watch TV, and others still choose to spend their time reading. Withdrawal from reality links all hobbies together. Likewise, I like to achieve this liberation by sailing. Imagine the wind gusting across your body, the smell of the strong scent of water in your nostrils, and the thrill of the breeze thrusting your boat along. Personally, I was astounded when I discovered this microcosm twenty minutes away in the middle of the scorching desert.
Immediately upon exiting the car, the familiar tell-tale smell of the lake hit me. The lake smelled like a combination of a fish and algae scent that seemed slightly putrid nevertheless, it did not detract from the experience. On blustery days, I felt the zephyr blow through my hair and saw the telltale whitecaps forming on the water’s surface. On sunny days I saw the afternoon sun make the greenish-brown water glimmer majestically and reflect off of the glass in the high rise buildings. Nonchalantly, I ambled to the gated boatyard adjacent to the parking lot to retrieve my boat.
Casually, I sauntered just beyond the middle of the yard to the section where my class stored the boats. Following a cursory inspection, I culled one that appeared to be in satisfactory shape and pushed it out of the yard towards the lake. If I had luck on my side a friend would also help me with this, nonetheless, I hold the opinion
As the sun quickly rose over the visible horizon of the dark blue, brisk waters of the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Beach, Florida, John knew he was late as he threw his rod and tackle box onto his fishing boat. The boat had a navy blue hull with white and brown accents that emphasized the boat and on the side was painted “Sharon” in memory of his wife who had died the year before. He untied the cleats attaching his boat to the pier, started up the engine and as the exhaust filled the air, he set off.
The wind was roaring as it led every strand of hair on my head in an intricate dance in every direction. The pleasant mixture of fish and salt drove me closer to the water’s edge where the lake’s opaque blue surface shimmered from the sun’s reflection. Waves crashed onto the shoreline slapping and dragging the sand further into the water. Canoes lined up across the shore begging to be paddled in the water. The red canoe was the one that caught my eye. So simple yet so powerful. Nothing sounds more comforting than being out on the water with your best friend and only a paddle, and a life vest. Little did I know that red canoe would turn out to be my most daunting obstacle.
The loud grumbling noise from the ferry boat reminded me of a car’s engine complaining of old age. Most people around us took no notice of it and went about relaxing and enjoying their time. The soft rocking of the boat made my stomach squeaky and my head dizzy. I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension since that was our first trip as a married couple to an unfamiliar island. As I looked outside the window, I saw the blue ocean glistening in the sunshine like tiny crystals. I looked up to the sky and saw no trace of a cloud. “This would be a beautiful day”, I thought to myself. Suddenly, a deep friendly voice overhead announced we were about to reach our destination.
Immediately upon exiting the car, I am greeted by the familiar telltale smell of the lake. It is a combination of a fishy and algae scent that isn’t overly pleasant, nevertheless, it doesn’t detract from the experience. On nice windy days, I felt the wind blow through my hair and saw the telltale whitecaps forming on the water’s surface. On sunny days I saw the afternoon sun make the greenish-brown water glimmer majestically and reflect off of the glass in the high rise buildings. I walked to the gated boatyard adjacent to the parking lot to retrieve my boat.
As I rolled out of the car, it took me a second to fully register what I was seeing. The bright blue of the sky stole my attention instantly, but this was contrasted with the bright greens of the trees and the grass. I constantly live in my head, but at this moment in time, the vividness of the colors drew me in and refused to let me go. There was a gorgeous, sepia colored rock formation surrounding the back side of the lake that created an unforgettable skyline. These rocks were positioned in a way that captured the sunlight and allowed it to envelop
It was a rainy day and all I could do was stare at the clouds pass by through the window. Ever since I had surgery on my thigh all I could do was stay inside. The blank walls in the hospital has consumed me completely. All I wanted to do was spend a day at the beach like I used to. Looking at the ranges of blue spread out around the horizon. Saw water run against the sand, the salty air and brightly lit sun. An empty beach, the perfect time to enjoy the water under the sun. The ocean breeze which I haven’t felt in a long time could bring back the colors that I haven’t seen in a while. It would make me feel healthier, having the cold water tickle my skin as I sit on the rough sand. Inhaling the salty yet refreshing air around me.
By far one of the most beautiful and tranquil places I have visited, the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina leaves me in awe every time. The overall beauty of the island is second to none and makes you want to stay forever. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, like when the week at the luxurious resort is over. The number of things to do on the resort is suitable for all ages and all personalities alike, from biking, shopping, recreational activities, or just going to the beach, Sea Pines truly does have something for everyone. The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island is one of the most beautiful resorts on the east coast. Highlighted by its beautiful beaches, extensive bike paths, and world class scenery, this is a place I will never forget.
I stepped out of the car and couldn’t believe the view. The lake was a teardrop silver as the sunset bounced off the surface, reflecting the tall and narrow pine trees. The atmosphere was soothing and peaceful, the silence was broken by an occasional cry from the birds that played in the towering pine trees. If I paid close attention along the horizon, I could see little ripples in the lake; my father would always tell me that was a school of Northern Pike popping into the air gasping for a quick
I walked along the beach. As I was walking I could feel the fresh smell of the beach like it was an air freshener but it also smelled that gave me a tingle in my nose. As I kept walking along the beach I could feel the light breeze coming against me. This fresh air felt warm as I felt like I was sleeping in a comfortable bed. I kept walking in the beach, as I did it felt like an escape to all my problems and also my stress. Beach felt like a solution to all my problems and could be open with anything.
My family has been looking forward to our annual beach vacation since last year's trip to Alabama. Although it has been a long, winding journey for two days, hauling through five states and having a personal concert in the passenger seat for fourteen hours, it was all worth it by the time we make it. Beach Boulevard is overflowing with giant houses, palm trees, stores, and thousands of other activities we are in a position to do. Everyone in the car is so antsy, we roll our windows down and breathe in the sweet, warm Alabama air. My eyes locked on my phone, I count down the miles until we arrive at our destination. Ten miles... Five miles... Three miles... One mile... Two-Hundred feet... “You have arrived at your destination,” Siri informs me. Pulling into the driveway, not a single soul waits for the car to stop completely. We leap out of the vehicle, hugging my distant relatives from Louisiana and rapidly begin sprinting down to the water. My friend, Kambri, and I are flinging sand behind us, with the wind blasting against our faces. Finally arriving to the ocean, we stand shoulder to shoulder along the shore, taking it all in. Silently, we listen to the continuous, calming crashes of water, allowing it to splash up our legs, for the salty breeze to blow through our hair, and the rays of the sun shine on our pale adolescent bodies. I have never felt more at home than I do right now, in this moment in time.
The place where I feel most comfortable is a place where I am calm. A place that is peaceful in its own ways. It is the place to go to get away from all my troubles. It is the one place where I could sit forever, and never get tired of just staring into the deepest blue I have ever seen. It is the place where I can sit and think the best. A place where nothing matters but what is in that little moment. The one place capable of sending my senses into an overload. This place is the ocean.
We walk down old, crumbling stairs to see a white sand beach and blue, sinuous waters ahead. Every step down we take, the distinct smell of the water enters our noses and exits clean and untouched as we inhale out. On the beach, families are sitting on their blankets and folding chairs, with their umbrellas open to hide them from the harmful rays of the sun. Kids run around and splash each other in the cold waters of Lake Michigan. We find a nice spot on the beach, lay down our towels, and sit down. The beach is one of the cleaner ones in New Buffalo, but pull tabs of cans, gum wrappers, and glass lies beneath the sand. “It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it?” I hear someone say. A few second later, I hear loud talking behind me and turn my head around. A new family has arrived to the beach. I see a son, a daughter, a mother, and a father. The teenage kids go and get themselves set up on the beach, only to sit down and scroll through their social media feeds, not taking off their oversized american flag sweaters or ripped, blue jean shorts. The parents catch up with the other family and talk about some vacation they took to the Bahamas last spring. I hear the whole story, every detail of it to be exact, because it takes some time to learn how to block out the background noise of relatives seeing each other after a month apart. Music, that everyone in this community knows can be heard playing on a bluetooth speaker. As I observe the moving waves, I think to myself, is this what
The young bearded man shivering in his Virginia Tech hoodie and shorts asked us, “How 's it going? I will be your tour guide. My name is Michael, and my shipmate is Terry. We ask that you sit in the back to keep the motor under the waves.” The business-focused pilot got right to his station in the pilot 's chair. My sister accompanied me, and soon our last shipmate of the day arrived. Only three of us attended the boat tour that day. The threat of rain seemed to frighten off other guests leaving the park empty and peaceful, but I pushed on, wanting to reach the lake outside the garden and take in its magnificent view. As we
It was supposed to be an average day at Virginia Beach with my step-sister Cheyenne and her mom Michelle. I was only seven at the time, so my attention span was all over the place especially since this was my first actual vacation to the beach. We arrived at the beach around noon and decided to check into the hotel, drop off our belongings, get into our bathing suits, and walk to the beach. I was anxious to jump into the cold ocean water. As we were walking down the boardwalk, I had to check out the scenery. I remember the sky was a deep blue that blended into the ocean's horizon. As we walked the boardwalk, we came upon a Neptune Statue. The closer we got all I could do was stare in awe at this large blue and green figure. After I took my picture beside Neptune, we continued to walk until we got to the entrance of the beach. I could smell the ocean salt in the air, and hear the big waves crashing into the shore. I took off my sandals, and my feet hit the sand which burned the bottoms of my feet. Once we picked a spot on the beach to lay our stuff down, my step sister and I raced down the ocean.
When Charlie asked me to go out diving with her, I just had to say yes. I mean, the beach is a great spot on a busy day, and I knew she had a few more spots out on the water. She’d said once that she found her necklaces underwater, and how she sometimes got tangled up in nets or shot at by jealous corporate scrap-pickers.