The Beach

Well, here we go again. Another family reunion at the beach....down the shore, ala Stone Harbor. The memories flood back each time we return to the promised land. Now with psuedo adults in tow. We used to stay in a home owned by the Groves family, on the bay side; right near Bud's Market. It was proximal to Avalon...cooler by a mile...and only a few minutes walk to Springer's. The location was fabulous. Hell, anything at the beach was terrific! It wasn't Wenonah!
We would wait all year for the trip to the beach. Mom was kind enough to escape town throughout the summer on Sundays. Up by 6 or 7 and making tuna fish sandwiches on frozen white bread. This evidently, would allow the sandwiches safe travel for the time it took to get all the way to the beach then, make it through the heat until we ate lunch at 11 or noon. She made good sandwiches. Finely diced onion and celery with TONS of pepper. That coupled with cold Pepsi and Herr's potato chips...a slcie of heaven!
We would arrive by 9 or 10 and if you didn't have your ass and your stuff (there's a George Carlin schtick) in the car when Mom was ready to roll, you didn't go. Or so she threatened! Chairs, towels, cooler, sunblock...yeah, right...baby oil and iodine! Each of us was permitted to bring a friend and off we'd go.
Route 55 was not even a twinkle in planners' eyes when we drove to the shore. One back road after another! Through tiny towns with magrant workers up to harvest the fields of south Jersey. Through Vineland and the pine barrens and to the land where trees are shorter and the air, dispite low tide, always was sweeter than the still humid air of Wenonah in the heat of July and August!
We'd arrive and the beach was slightly overcast but it would ALWAYS clear! Mom said so. Once over the bridge separating Stone Harbor from the rest of the world, the weather would always be better. I loved her thinking! My friends, Meg Schweigart, Sandy Dipper or Kathy Murphy were always good company. They were up for walking the beach or going for ice cream or looking at guys. Those really were some more innocent times.

Senior Week ala Myrtle

OK, I knew the time would come. My kids would begin to do the things I did myself as a not too bright teenager. I just didn't think they'd do those things until they were...say thirty. Our beautiful daughter went to Mytle Beach along with three quarter of the school districts' graduated seniors. She drove her car along with one of her friends. The plan was to drive at night when the traffic wouldn't be as bad and they were going to caravan with another friend and his carmate. The girls kept a low profile for the day and shopped a bit and were going to eat dinner and nap for a few hours.

Didn't happen.

The wise parents told them to get going. They obeyed. I placed a call to the friend to tell them the girls were going to get on the road. He was at a party. I can only assume drinking a bit. His carmate was drinking ... heavily and wouldn't be ready for a ride yet. Pinhead! Do you honestly believe she'd be ready in a few hours to drive!

I'm hoping this was not indicative of thinks to come.

The girls got on the road. Mo drove to Richmond, then they traded off. It was now beginning to get light and the traffic picked up. From out of nowhere came a wild turkey. Not just any turkey, but a BIG ASS TURKEY! They hit it. The girls later giggled when they stopped to check for damage and found one lone feather stuck in the grill. It would remain for the duration as as a souvonier. There's strike one.

The rest of the ride was uneventful and I tried not to be a hovering mom, but we kept in touch throughout the ride.

Calls throughout the week revealed they were the new beer pong champs of eight houses full of friends. I'm so proud my eyes teared. "OK Honey, just stay safe. Don't drink anything when you don't know the contents." There were cat fights and dumb boys drinking too much fights. There was the incident on the jet skis which landed Mo's friend in the hospital for 5-6 hours to determine if her ankle was broken or just sprained. A good time was had by all.

Finally, last night my little honey walked through the door last night at 10:30. Amen! She was now a well traveled and experienced driver who has discovered the meaning of "Familiarity breeds contempt."

I still got the kiss good night and "I love you Mommy. I'm glad I'm home."

:-)


Me too honey, me too.

In the Beginning...there were words