Another Bethany Success
The signs that we would have a fantastic beach week with my family started early. First of all, we saw something we have not seen in ages on our ride…
Umbrella Wars
Everyone should have the chance to enjoy their vacation how they please. However, the week I just spent at the beach with my family convinced me that more and more people should hire us as vacation planners.
For instance, we would strongly urge you to resist the temptation to buy one of those large umbrellas you see at the store. Sure, you might think that the purchase will save you money over renting an umbrella from those folks who sit at the top of the beach.
Saving money doesn’t always make the most sense sometimes. This is one of those important instances.
Street Kayaking
When I woke up last Friday, I knew we had a problem on our hands. The morning of our last full day at the beach brought a whole lot of rain.
We had already weathered the storm – literally. The rain came the day before as well, but we filled the time with crafts, Bingo and a group viewing of “Sharknado.”
I didn’t know what another rainy day would bring, however. We got very lucky with some incredible weather to start the week, and, in reality, we have had great weather for a number of years straight.
But what’s a group of close to 50 family members to do when the weather turns sour – really sour – on vacation?
Kayak in the street, that’s what.
A Day at the Beach
My big mouth gets me in trouble sometimes. That should not shock anyone. I have learned over the years, however, to not promise things I might not do.
I did not follow that guideline earlier this summer during a conversation with my daughter. She loves our family’s annual beach week as much as I do, so I told her we could make plans to head down to the beach for a day trip sometime.
I didn’t regret things at that point. When I saw a free Saturday on our schedule and proposed the trip, I felt a little guilty, but not enough to worry.
At that point, I felt fully confident I could get organized and pull off the trip. My only concerns at that point were ones out of my hands, specifically bad weather or rough surf which would keep us from enjoying the actual ocean.
Better Red Than Dead
We have certain traditions on my family’s annual beach vacation. We always have a cornhole tournament. One night features a crab feast. In recent years, we have added a scavenger hunt for the children in the family.
This year, one of the irregular traditions I observe has returned. I got sunburn really bad, really fast.
As one of true Irish blood, I don’t really tan. I can get a darker tint to my skin, but you would never mistake me for one of the “jersey Shore” characters.
That crew tans so much, they almost turn orange. I get red after just a few hours in the sun.
Beach Anniversary
In 1986, my parents and a few of my siblings went on vacation to the beach together. I don’t know all the details since I was in high school and either spent that week wrestling or working.
I know that they headed to Bethany Beach, Del., where my sister’s in-laws had a condo. A month or so ago, I spent the week in Bethany with 47 family members and friends, marking the 25thstraight year our family headed to Bethany for vacation.
Like many of the things my family does, I often see the trip at first glance as just something we do. We didn’t necessarily come up with this grand plan to have a massive beach week. It just started and grew to something that provided so much fun that we never considered stopping.
Favorite Goddaughter Determined?
In my family, most of us have an opportunity to serve as godparent. I have had this privilege twice, for my nieces Alanna and Colleen.
This really creates a special bond between the three of us. They were born when I was in my early 20s so I have literally watched them grow up.
We also have a fun little game where they vie for the title of “favorite goddaughter.” I don’t remember when this started, but it continues even though one has graduated college and the other will do so in the next year or two.
The game never turns ugly because we all know it’s not serious in any way, shape or form. It merely provides each one of us the opportunity to get a little dig in at the others. Like if one of them is late for something, the criteria is surely punctuality.
I have tried to decree that the only true criteria for favorite goddaughter is the one who doesn’t try to prove that she is my favorite goddaughter. This has failed miserably.
But our most recent family vacation may have provided the answer once and for all.
Knowing My Shelf Life
Most sports fans know that one of the saddest things you can ever witness is a great champion not knowing when it’s time to step aside.
Not many athletes step aside at the top of their game. The yearly intrigue of whether certain players will retire has almost become a punch line in some circles.
Yeah, I’m looking at you Brett Favre.
But these situations don’t always apply to the monied stars we see on television. Sometimes the guy who hangs around too long only lives in some niche universe where only a handful of fans understand the dilemma.
Then there are those who face this dilemma inside themselves. They only disappoint an audience of one when they can’t compete at the level they are accustomed to.
That’s how I felt one day last week on my family’s annual beach vacation. I realized that I might not have the chops to take on the kind of waves I used to in my younger days.
My New Career Goals
Once again, I have stumbled up on a tremendous skill I possess with little chance to actually support my family pursuing it as a career.
We recently completed my family’s annual beach vacation. For the first time in a long while, we rented a beach house just for the three of us.
In past years, we had split a place with one of my older brothers. A number of issues ranging from the incompatibility of having 20-somethings and an 8-year-old staying at the same house to some problems with the house itself made us realize everyone would be better served with separate quarters.
So I spent a while over the winter perusing web sites to try and find a place small enough and affordable enough for us, but with the comforts that make beach week extra special.
I found a place and made the reservation based only on the photos I could find on the realtor’s web site. Sure, I wanted more assurance, but didn’t really have the opportunity to drive to Delaware to peek into these places.
If I had, I might have seen my new career several months ago. I stumbled upon it instead after we got settled our first night at the beach.
I should open a business where I give rich people advice on how to set up the vacation homes they rent to others.
After all, who knows what regular people want in a beach house better – some guy who uses it as an investment or a schlub like me who likes to pretend he’s living large for one week out of the year.
I’m Baa-ack
So I went to the beach and said I was going to blog since I had free time, then said screw it. I did read three books so will review…