Back into the swing of things

Been a while, huh? That's exactly what my lungs are saying as I begin my usual beach walk this afternoon. But this wad of fat that has taken over my midsection is about to win, so I have to get back into my beach walking. Neck injury, paperwork, home repairs and a respiratory infection have kept me away long enough. No camera today; this is all about the walking.

I'm greeted by a gentle breeze from the south, unusually cool for one coming from that direction. The sand feels good beneath my feet. It really has been a long time since I've been down here. As soon as I touch the wet sand where the waves have been coming in, I can tell that the water temperature is cooling now. Not many shells on the sand, only broken pieces. Sandpipers scoot through the wet sand at the edge of the surf as I make my way northward. A couple of loaded container ships, one appearing to be hot pink in color, edge out of the river into the ocean. There are many other walkers on the beach in the warm afternoon sun. Two men with a kayak stand in the water's edge for several minutes. What on earth are they talking about for so long?

As I reach my turnaround point, I look up to see the light on the corner. Red...then quickly green. I turn and face the wind to return home. One of the men with the kayak heads out across the waves as his friend stands behind on the beach. Approaching my street, I notice a kiteboarder preparing to launch. I pause and take a seat on the platform at the end of the boardwalk across the dunes to take it all in for a few more minutes. The kiteboarder glides to and fro just outside the breakers. Leaving him and the others behind me, I turn westward toward home. How could I live anywhere else? Note to self: I must do this more often.