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.
This is lovely, filled with beautiful images , those you have verbalized and amazing photographs. Few things are more beautiful than the great Blue Heron, what a delight it must of been to find him there. A beautiful birthday present. Thank you for sharing one of my favorite songs by Nora Jones. So perfect for this gem.
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Holly,
This was a wonderful start to my day. I imagine I wrote my thoughts very shortly after returning to the condo. Glad I picked one of your favorite songs for this post!
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Me too, Frank, it’s a perfect accompaniment for your walk on the beach at sunrise!
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Your pictures and words are lovely. I like the photo of the sun shining beneath the clouds. So pretty.
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Carrie,
Many thanks. Sometimes we get lucky.
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i honestly can’t think of a more spectacular way to start a birthday, Frank. The setting of the beautiful beach, the heron’s visit, and the opportunity to think about all that may come in the year ahead. Your photos are just wonderful. Even the heavy cloud cover is magical at the beach!
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Debra,
I can’t think of ever starting my birthday that way. I must admit … wow … I enjoyed it very much!
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It must have been very, very special!
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Well, a very belated happy birthday to you Frank <3. And isn't that just the best birthday present to give yourself. Surely nothing can go wrong when a new year is started off with an early morning walk on the beach!! That photo is pretty amazing too!
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Pauline,
Thank you. That may be the best birthday treat I’ve ever given myself. Hopefully I will get another opportunity in 2019.
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Sounds like a fine way to start the day. It must be a pleasure to live so close to the sea. Wonder if you hear the waves in your home… or the fog horn. I remember once spending a vacation at the sea shore, and the constant fog horn was like music to my ears. There is something very calming too, about absorbing the presence of a vast body of water. Enjoy.
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Shimon,
Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, this beach is about 14 hours of driving time for me. Cincinnati is very inland. However, this year we spent 6 weeks (mid-Jan through Feb) on the shore to minimize the effect of winter! It’s during that time I create this Beach Walk series. Life there is very calming in many ways!
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Beautiful, so beautiful. Thank you dear Frank, have a nice day, Love, nia
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Nia,
Thanks for coming along on this special beach walk! Smiles to you.
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Oh, what a perfect start to a social day! Your heron photo really does capture the moment and the feeling, doesn’t it?!
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Kerry,
I can’t deny that the start of this particular day was a special .. . very special and memorable … and I love that heron photo!
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Almost like we went with you, Frank. Well done.
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John,
Now I like that thought because that means I’ve written well. 🙂
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So true.
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I can’t think of a better way to start the beginning of another year. Happy birthday 🙂
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Wendy,
Thank you! Exactly … a wonderful way that turned out much better than I anticipated.
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What a beautiful birthday walk, Signore. So very glad the clouds parted enough for you to enjoy the sunrise!
Perfect video to accompany, of course…
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Dale,
As good as the words and photos may be, the actual walk was even better! Very special indeed. Thanks for listening to Norah Jones as I’m glad to know it works well with what I was trying to do in this post.
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😁
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What a beautiful birthday morning you had!
That photo of the heron is gorgeous.
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Merril,
Unquestionably a special morning … and possibly the best birthday gift I’ve ever given myself. Hopefully I can do it again next year!
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I hope you can!
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Happy Belated Birthday. There is truly no place like the beach for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshed feet.
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Demure,
Many thanks for the birthday wishes. The entire beach series has been fun to do. I actually drafted each post while there, then tweak them before publishing them here. More to come!
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My favorite Beach Walk post of them all! The story, the writing, and the last photo – the one with the heron standing still and staring.
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Tim,
I know you have read all the beach walks, so thanks for the high praise. I will also give you a hint that future walks will involve music and instruments.
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Cool – Can’t wait! And by the way, about that heron photo, my wife thinks it would go great with our (her) renovation color scheme, and I like the Van Gogh-like diagonal perspective lines along with the multiple off-center focal points.
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Beautiful moody skies. What a great way to start the day!
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Monika,
Oh yes … after all, I’m a firm believer that clouds influence the most-beautiful sunrises. 🙂
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I love how you communicate with nature. The translation is a beautiful thing to read.
Norah Jones . . . equals love.
Peace and beach walks
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Marc,
Thanks for the kind words. The second year walks were more difficult than the first because I expected myself to do them … whereas in year one they just happened. But this one was very easy to write.
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Hmm, they’ve always felt natural. But I get what you’re saying Frank.
You’ve touched on an interesting point though, and one to which I’ve always been fascinated. The just doing versus the doing when you KNOW you’re going to do. The latter has its challenges, indeed.
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My mind was buzzing with a variety of thoughts this year – so that added to the challenge. Pressure will be on if I return next year.
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I think you’ll find a way, Frank. You always seem to be up to the challenge, even when it’s a self imposed one, 😉
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A few walk ideas/topics came to me before I arrived – but the thoughts and writing happened there.
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Funny as this sounds, I try to limit my thoughts until I sit down and write. Otherwise it can become overload. Hard to explain.
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I think during the walks, and then (after the walk) either record notes or start to draft. Sometimes the best words get lost during the walk.
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I can relate, totally.
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Nine flights of stairs would have been enough for most people but you continued on to a beautiful walk. We went along with you without taking our taking a step. Beautiful photos!
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Jo,
LOL … but going down 9 flights is much easier than going up – something that I never tried! Thanks for coming along, and glad my words and images made you feel like you were there!
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Great write to go along these lovely images.
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Drew,
Thank you. I’ve received more praise than usual about the writing, so that makes me feel good.
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We never know how readers will respond to posts. It is nice to be surprised by our followers response.
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Well stated.
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Beautiful way to start the day
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Aria Bella,
Welcome first-time commenter … and your statement is a perfect description to the start of that day!
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Pingback: Opinions in the Shorts: Vol. 362 – A Frank Angle
So peaceful and majestic!
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Ohhh … Norah Jones – how I loved her once. Now, not so much. She sounds tired. AND … I get tired. She lost her edge somewhere. I hope she gets it back. : O
I love going to the beach and seeing no one there. Then, as people appear, it’s like magic. One by one they take their little piece of sand and make it their own.
The water comes up to greet you and you are happy to be free of worries.
Yes, a morning walk on the beach is mystical and magical all at once. I hope it created the perfect moment for you to enjoy on your birthday. I believe I missed it … Happy Happy and Many Many more …!!!
Cheers 🍷🍷
Isadora 😎
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Isadora,
This walk set the stage for my day! I stayed busy and the evening include a dinner with 7 of us going out. Meanwhile, I frequently watched sunrise from the balcony, but I greatly enjoyed going to the beach on this day. I may have to do that more often next year! Thanks for the wishes!!!!
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