Loose Leaf Notes: Winding Down at Bethany Beach

The sky is littered with kites. I count 8 of them. Seagulls fly in between them, flaunting their freedom. Two women are drinking from lime-green plastic martini cups. A group of 4 are playing bocce ball.

Sometimes the surf here on the coast of Delaware is so rough that you can’t swim beyond the breakers. It’s not like the beach I grew up with. There are no rocks. No dogs. It’s 7:00 p.m. and the beach is still crowded. Brightly colored bathing suits and tops catch my eye, a shocking pink bikini, Hawaiin printed shirts, a neon day-glo pair of lifeguard shorts.

My favorite kite is a royal blue dragon with wings dipped in fiery orange. Its long tail, made to look feathered, shimmers as it soars. Over and over it takes off and climbs, only to dive and crash into the sand, causing the children at the end of its string to cry out.

The stress of the 6 hour road trip I made the day before is finally becoming a faint memory. I take a deep breath and let go of all my worries. The only thing I have to concern myself with here is how to keep the pages of my book from flapping in the wind, enough so that I can read.

Comments

You show me your vacation and I will show you mine! Be blessed today!

Posted by: Red Queen | July 22, 2006 12:45 AM

Colly Wog is my new name for you.... fitting when your by the water! Anyway, just wanted to say, Love the pic! I can smell the ocean reading your post. Check out mine... your one of the featured stars!

Posted by: Chrissie | July 22, 2006 1:17 AM

Ah-h-h, the ocean air. Enjoy your visit, Colleen. We'll relish each picture and post.

Posted by: Gretchen | July 22, 2006 7:20 AM

Rember the sunscreen as well! Envious of your relaxing days.

Posted by: Tabor | July 22, 2006 7:40 AM

Isn't it wonderful to have as your only problem the flapping of book pages? That was the sum of my vacation last week also, and I loved it!! Have a great time, Colleen. You deserve it!

Posted by: kenju | July 22, 2006 8:52 AM

I hope you have a wonderful vacation, Colleen. I know it must be refreshing to get away to beach, sand & surf but it's interesting to realize that many people are vacationing in the gorgeous land that you just left behind you...one of my favorite areas!

Posted by: ginnie | July 22, 2006 9:45 AM

My problem is that I haven't had time to get past the page I've been reading for the last three weeks. You win!

Posted by: Rick | July 22, 2006 12:20 PM

Great to decompress. Love how you framed the book and beach activity. very succinct.

Posted by: Pearl | July 22, 2006 1:53 PM

If it's as hot there in Delaware as it has been here - you're lucky to be at the beach (well actually...you're lucky anyway).
The big waves might have been due to tropical storm Beryl. It's gone out to sea but we're getting rain today because of it. A LOT!

Posted by: Kathy | July 22, 2006 3:31 PM

It is so good to be away for a little while. I am enjoying being alone and quiet with only my thoughts, my camera, a good book and a lot of silence.

Posted by: srp | July 22, 2006 5:29 PM

I hope you enjoy your break...the picture makes me miss the beach. I understand the page flapping so well!

Posted by: Deana | July 22, 2006 10:19 PM

Hey, we are on the coast too, in South Carolina. Our 6 hour trip is as fresh as this morning, but the memory of it is fading fast.

Posted by: Mayberry | July 23, 2006 8:35 PM

You paint scenes more richly than pretty much anyone I know. I almost felt like I was sitting on the beach, feeling the scene as you described it.

In an ideal world, I'd be right there.

Posted by: Carmi | July 23, 2006 9:08 PM

that sounds like a beautiful kite!!!

Posted by: Janet | July 24, 2006 3:20 PM