On Beach Walk: 24

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I like walking the beach. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

As an early riser, I wanted to start today with a morning beach walk all by myself to see the sunrise with the sand and water touching my feet. A different start to the day, but the day is special – February 17th – my birthday.

Natural biorhythms awakened me 30 minutes ahead of the sun’s appearance. I looked out the window to the disappointment of a light fog – but I still went to the beach because it was my day.

Down nine flights of stairs, through the lobby, and across the sand straight to the water’s edge. Looking left then right, the lit pre-dawn sky allowed me to notice the beach was all mine. Nobody in sight. Birds weren’t even in the sky.

 

I walked to the east with an eye on the horizon for the approaching event with the calm water rolling across my feet. I ponder about my life – people, places, events, highs and lows – all are thoughts worthy of separate walks.

A small wave ahead of me washes a small crab toward the shore. I see it fighting to return to the sea – and then the backwash helps deliver its wish and not for me to see again.

Looking ahead I note a Great Blue Heron as joined me and stands alone staring across the water. Probably hoping for a morning meal, or at least waiting for a fisherman to arrive.

It’s time – the sun starts rising – but the clouds block its appearance – so I continue walking to the east until I see the sun.

 

The seagulls are now soaring in the sky above the water – but I haven’t seen any sandpipers, pelicans, or my favorites – the frantic sanderlings.

I look ahead – there it is – the sun appearing out of a cloud. My day has started! I enjoy the moment, smile, and then reverse course.

 

People are now in sight. I encounter my first person of my day. She smiled and said “Good Morning” as we pass.

A flock of seagulls are now gathered on the beach. Without flying away, the squawk as I pass as if they were singing “Happy Birthday” to me. I smiled, and then they immediately stopped.

The heron still stands and stares – but this may be may favorite picture of our time on the coast.

 

A good way to start my day – and already over 4000 steps – but the rest of the day is unknown. After all, that’s what life is.

No matter the time of day or the day of the week, walking the beach is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.