Seven Reasons to Love a Beach Town

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Seven reasons to love a beach town besides the sand, sun and surf are endless, particularly to locals. Now I’m referring to the natives and the year around locals (not to be confused with the summer, locals) who come to town every year to stay for the season. It’s sort of like having a badge of honor, like an unspoken kind of respect. The kind that makes you feel a sense of pride when visitors tell you how lucky you are to live at the beach.

” If you are lucky enough to live by the sea, you are lucky enough.

There’s something unique, almost nostalgic about the feel of a beach town. It’s not just about the crashing waves or the crisp salty air, it’s about the lifestyle of a beach town. It’s a lifestyle that centers around the beach and  celebrates the benefits of coastal living.

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All beach town lovers understands the call and lure of the beach. We all hear it, and feel it stretching over us like some kind of invisible liquid net binding us together in the calm and chaos of  ebb and flow. Some suggest we’re under the spell of a mysterious intoxication. Making the beach a place that sharpens our senses and builds a culture that juggles a perfect combination of work, play and charm, while it waits for the upcoming summer season. 

There are so many reasons to love a beach town. Let me count the ways (or just a few). The drive-on beaches, the boardwalk, the rides, the surfers, the beach music, the big waves, cotton candy, ferry boats etc. Okay, ok… You are getting the visual I can tell.  And did I mention the dialect of Uptalk?

Seven Reasons To Love A Beachtown

  1. The Beach. Whether you’re an expert shell collector, sea glass hunter or an amateur surfer, the beloved beach is the destination. It never looks the same, always more beautiful than your last visit. The time of day, the weather, the pull of the tides and the wind all contribute to the constant landscape changes. It never disappoints, compelling you to return as quickly as you can.
  2. Fresh Seafood.  Big Box Seafood places, nope, not really. They are pretty scarce in these towns and with good reason, Fresh Seafood is available. And you usually can get the options to dine outside. So yes, it’s a major privilege to live in a seafood town, please don’t hate me for it, I can’t live without it.
  3. Water Sports.  Nothing compares to the great fun the sea provides whether its jet skis, paddle boarding, kite boarding, surfing, bonfires, boating, fishing, scuba diving or just riding a float on a lazy hot summer day there’s so many options. Most of a beach town’s recreation revolves around great friends and water fun.
  4. Relaxing. Talk about a Win-Win, this is it friends! The beach town vibe is laid back and the places to sit and read are plentiful, not to mention inspiring. And nothing tops a beach walk while listening to the waves break on the shore and taking in the scenic view of the ocean. Whatever you enjoy doing is going to be better with a little sand between your toes.
  5. The People and the Culture. The majority of the people who live in beach towns are accustomed to tourist from everywhere vacationing, bringing with them diversity and change and also lots of money to spend. Some of these same tourists ultimately end up relocating their lives and family to be near the beach, contributing to the whole melting pot population. Tourist add to the culture by bringing a culture of what’s important to them and incorporating bits and pieces to the area. You’ll always find an interesting mix of people in a beach town. From all over the world.
  6. Entrepreneurship.
  7.  The Summer Holidays.

There are pros and cons about living anywhere, it’s too hot or too cold or not the right opportunities for jobs etc… On and on, but the choice is clear for some. There’s a passion in our soul to be near the sea and will do whatever it takes to remain there.

What about you, got a special place you love? If you’ve been called a beach bunny or a beach bum, you understand the beach town way of life. It’s a lifestyle I wouldn’t trade, would you?

Happy trails
Donna George

 

Say It Ain’t So

 Legendary rocker Tom Petty singer, musician song writer gone at 66. RIP

A Simple Truth

There’s no ball and chain hooked to yesterday. Only in your mind does it exist

You are allowed to change. That’s the beauty of the evolution of life.

Do it. 

                                                              

Go Ahead! Change Your Life

 

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Have you ever wanted to change your life? Many say they do; few actually do it. Why is it so hard to change?

All of us are capable of making decisions that can change our life and move towards something new and different… easy peezy, right? So why are we holding on for dear life to sameness? 

Stop saying “what if ” and start saying “I’ll try It”

Would that work? It would help. Making a declarative statement always helps.

 

It probably sounds like a hundred articles you’ve read somewhere before, but how often have you put real change to the test? The kind of change that challenges you to exercise in the wee hours of the morning when you’re exhausted or deprive yourself of food that satisfies you to the very core of who you are?

Change is real 

Constant

 And moving all around us

Filling our days with raw life.

 No filters

It’s unpredictable with no grace for emotion. No one really enjoys losing comfort zones when you can’t reach back and grab on to what once was there, right? From that angle life’s depth of field looks different, a little foggier, not as much clarity that sameness gives.

Nothing Stay The Same; It’s a Process

Change is a process, not an event. Stages people! We are constantly experiencing new stages (and some are better than others).

  1. Baby Steps – definitely get a POA together, but don’t overkill
  2. Self Acceptance – being okay with who you are desiring to improve
  3. Face your fears – don’t let others intimidate you from what you want to do
  4. Be patient – Not so tough on yourself
  5.  Celebrate your breakout of sameness

And the Newness fades quickly too. It seems the scent looses its mystery and the odor becomes ordinary, and the strange becomes familiar, things once admired loose their attraction. Such a wonder… The lure of change.

Have you ever experienced a big change in your life? Most of us have and made it through to the other side a stronger person. These changes teach us a lot about ourselves that we don’t always want to know yet, but it’s usually a tool for our toolbox. In a second part series I will share a change that I survived that changed my life. Please feel free to share your changes on the website on FB or any of my social media platforms. I would enjoy reading your story and sharing with the blog community.

Happy trails
Donna George

 

 

 

 

 

 

beach, shoreline, sea oats

perfection


dreams


The beach is perfect: Crowds are gone home. Now it’s my time to explore.

Breathe

ocean

relaxation


This could be me


Summer still lives here for another month or so. Then for me, the walking season begins.  

Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches during tourist season so soon my dogs can enjoy the beach again.

walking and more walking


Pure
Summer never ends for sea-lovers. It just simply changes seasons.

Happy Trails                                                                                   Donna George

The Beach Is Perfect: Crowds Are Gone Home


Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy. The sea to sit by gives me peace.

Happy trails.                                                        Donna George

Seasons In The Sun


Wishing you all a safe and happy 4th of July! 

Donna George

From Me To You 

12 Smart Ways To Welcome The Dog Days Of Summer

First day of summer

Hello Summer 2016

It’s finally here, the first day of summer 2016. No matter where you live or where you go there is no escaping the heat. If you’re heading to the beach to kickoff summer its essential to stay hydrated for endurance. No need to waste a fun, play day with hinderances that could be avoided with a little preparation.

Summer is all about lazy pool days, spending time under the sizzling hot sun and having fun at the beach. Just find a spot with water and stay cool…

 

Beach, Ocean, NC beach pier,

Beach

While finding a place to get outside and enjoy the sunshine is a natural part of summer, maintaining a healthy fluid balance is necessary for proper hydration.

As the temps outside continue to rise, so will the need to increase fluids in your body. Feeling thirsty is usually an indication you are already dehydrated and have lost 1 percent of your body fluids. Fatigue feelings and cardiovascular issues can happen with only 2 percent loss of fluids. So use the heat as your inspiration to indulge on delicious fruits and introduce yourself to the gigantic, growing world of water options. 

Lemon water during the day and the sparkling at night works for me. Give the orange sparkling a try if you’re looking for a new flavor, its delicious! Go ahead and drink up…

12 Smart Ways To Welcome The Dog Days Of Summer

  1. Keep a small cooler filled with ice and delicious beverages in your vehicle religiously. It takes just a second to get ready and it can save your life, literally. When you’re running late or caught in traffic, but have no time to stop and get a beverage, you’ll be ready 🙂
  2. Get in the habit of wearing a good sunscreen daily. Protect your beautiful face.
  3. Hydrating food like yummy watermelon, cantaloupes, cucumber, peaches, apples, pineapples, lemons, and berries have a high water content and are loaded with nutrients that go to work for us. All of these fruits are made up of vitamins like A and C and are packed with antioxidants
  4. Save exercising for early mornings or late evening. Nothing can drive your body into a heat stroke like exercising during mid-day on a hot summer day. The hot summer dog days can put a monkey on your back that can keep you sick for days. No fun in that! Ditch the treadmill, but wait for the coolest part of the day.
  5. Get those indoor fans up and working to help circulate the air. Cleaning the blades can do wonders for your allergies and help to keep you cool.
  6. Keep your body hydrated with fluids. If you’re bored with plain water change it up to sparkling or flavored. There are so many options in the supermarket, just try something new. The #1 option is coconut water. Its full of electrolytes and great for your skin.
  7. Take advantage of the fresh produce and fruits at the local farmers markets.
  8. Drive into a gorgeous sunset. Its more satisfying than watching from a pier.
  9. Attend an outdoor activity like a lawn cinematique, a festival or a music event to make the mental connection to summer.
  10. Make a tie-dye tee shirt in bright colors.
  11. Create a summer music playlist.
  12. Buy yourself a big, beautiful new beach towel.

Red apple in the sand at the beach

 

Keep an open mind, experience new things and enjoy the summer!

Happy trails
Donna George