Summer in New England!
It’s gonna be a beautiful weekend so why wouldn’t you want to go to the beach? I mean, who doesn’t love the beach?
The sand, the surf, the sound, the scent, the sea gulls, the sunburn.
I love going to the beach. I wish I went more.
Here are 9 reasons I don’t:
1. Getting Up Wicked Early
I’m a morning person. I like getting up early. It’s the having to get up early or I won’t get a parking space or a spot on the beach that stresses me out.
2. Looking For Parking
I recently found out you can now reserve parking on line at some north shore beaches in advance of your trip to the beach.
I have questions. What if it rains on your scheduled day? How late or how early can I show up? What if I change my mind?
Beach Information
The City of Gloucester welcomes you to our beautiful, award-winning beaches and wants your visit to be memorable. Gloucester is a premier spot for beachgoers visiting from near and far. Before visiting our beautiful beaches, please familiarize yourself with our rules and regulations a nd available amenities (which vary by beach).
3. All Of The Lugging!
The unpacking, the setting up. Just to have to break it all down and lug it off the beach at the end of the day.
A woman brought a little collapsible table she set up next to her chair. A portable table for the beach.
I once bought one of those pop open tents. It popped open on the person behind me (wicked sorry!) and then when it was time to leave, I couldn’t get it closed so into the trash it went. I got one use out of it!
4. You Have To Bring Your Own Shade
Umbrella ella ella…
There’s usually a nice breeze at the beach. So how do people get their umbrella to stay put?!
My umbrella was turning inside out and almost blew away! The lady with the portable table was kind enough to help me wrestle it back together and close it for the remainder of my beach day.
5. So Much Sand
Ah the feeling of your toes in the sand.
But by the end of the day, get up to walk somewhere and you can get third degree burns on the bottoms of your feet.
And how does sand find its way into every crack and crevice of your body?
And no matter how carefully you pack and unpack your lunch, at some point, you get a mouthful of sand.
6. Greenheads
How do they bite through a chair and then fly away so fast you don’t even see them??
Note to self: add giant fly swatter to beach bag.
Greenhead Fly FAQ
What is a "Greenhead Fly"?The Greenhead flies of Essex County, MA are insects that are called horseflies. They belong to a family called Tabanidae.
7. Seagulls
AKA: Vultures!
Open your beach bag to get your hat and you’ll have an audience. One by one, they descend, like a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock‘s The Birds.
8. The Water Is Just Too Damn Cold
It’s 95 degrees in the shade. I’d love to go for a dip but the temperature of the Atlantic Ocean in New England in the summer is about 65 degrees, give or take.
And to make matters worse, you have to walk out about a quarter of a mile with that ice water splashing against your ankles, then your knees, still knees, more knees with the occasional splash up your thighs before you can quickly immerse your entire body.
Why doesn’t someone put some kind of a pier or deck out there so you can jump in quickly and be done with it?
(And, fyi, the Pacific is even worse. All those California beach movies, people frolicking in the water? They’re freezing. From Santa Cruz to Malibu to San Diego. Cold water.)
9. Sharks
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the ocean is like the Serengeti in Africa. There’s always a chance you could get bitten or worse, eaten, when you’re in close proximity to wild animals.
10. I Love Going To The Beach
The truth is, like most people, I absolutely love the beach. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. It’s one of my favorite places to be.
I didn’t see the ocean until I was about 10 because I was born in eastern Washington and bounced from there to Kansas and back before my family moved to the east coast.
The first beaches I remember visiting: Reid State Park and Popham Beach in Maine.
Then of course Wells and Ogunquit areĀ my old stomping grounds.
(Imagine my surprise when I moved to Massachusetts and the first beach I saw was Revere, replete with plastic tampon applicators.)
I love the beaches in the southern US and of course Caribbean beaches are incredible with nice, clear, warm water!
And we for sure have some beautiful beaches right here in Massachusetts.
Have a look:
Boston.com readers share 10 gorgeous beach photos
Boston.com readers share 10 gorgeous beach photos. Read more on Boston.com.
Boston.com readers share 10 gorgeous beach photos
Boston.com readers share 10 gorgeous beach photos. Read more on Boston.com.
Going to the beach is fun! Or is it? Here’s 9 reasons not to go to the beach!
