Dateline Boston — Whenever conversation turns to beaches, I cringe and go on and on about how much I don’t like the beach. I hate the smell, the seaweed, the black flies, the wind, the hot sun. The weird thing is, I have lots of pictures of the beach, from vacations in California and trips to Cape Cod, Mass. There must be something I like about the beach; I have the pictures to prove it.
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The other day my friend Hiro and I were looking for locations to shoot photos, and we ended up at a beach in Massachusetts. We crossed the parking lot and walked along a boardwalk. As soon as we neared the end of the boardwalk, we could see tons of people enjoying the first spring-like day, and I realized what it is that I really don’t like about the beach. It’s the people.
I can’t stand the crowds, the umbrellas, the schlepping, the tote bags and coolers, and aforementioned aspects of the beach. Every time I’ve taken a picture on the beach, it’s when there are only one or two people around. I can walk at my leisure and enjoy the sound of the crashing waves. The sand isn’t messed up by footprints and trash. The birds hang around longer. The seaweed is arranged artistically by nature. The beach without people is tranquil.
While Hiro and I were walking down the beach, trying to find a spot where it wasn’t so crowded, we passed a teenage couple on a towel. Ah, to be young and in love! Or lust, as was the case with this couple. The bikini-clad girl was lying on her stomach, and her boyfriend was straddled on top of her, kissing her neck and shoulders. Hiro and I bit our tongues from telling them to get a room.
We kept walking and met a nice guy with a Boston Terrier, who was fetching a stick about three times her size. Got a bunch of shots of her. Not much else to see on the far end of the beach, so we headed back. Saw the amorous pair again. This time, he was on the bottom, and she was straddled on top of him. Rear in the air. In a bikini. I was disgusted, but I couldn’t look away, so help me. I made some comment about teenagers not knowing there was anyone else in the world. And then I felt old. But I still wanted them to get a room.
There Is So Much to Like
Now that I know what it is I don’t like about the beach, I can focus on what I do like. Dogs (before they’re kicked off because of the breeding grounds of the plover). Undisturbed sand. Crab shells. Driftwood. Crashing waves with no swimmers. Birds. Rocks.
Next time you’re packing up your beach towels, trashy novels, giant umbrellas, lunch and sunscreen, give me a call. I’ll go with you, if you’re sure there won’t be anyone else there. And if we can bring a dog.
Ms. Campbell may be contacted at campbellalexandra@hotmail.com
