When I think of the beach, I tend to think of it as I knew it growing up in Texas. Once as year, when we could, my family would get together and visit the beach along the Gulf of Mexico right around July 4th. It was hot, muggy, and so sunny it would sear your eyeballs, not to mention the bottom of your feet if you tried running barefoot on the crushed shells that made up most of the beach and surrounding streets. We didn’t care. It was paradise and still is, in my mind.
So when I saw this picture, it seemed like such a different experience that it caught my attention and made me wonder what this sand would feel like under my toes. Probably not tiny burning daggers, or at least one can hope. Plus it brought a little virtual relief from the mid-summer heat that we’ve been having here in the desert of New Mexico. I don’t know where this beach is, but I’d like to visit there someday.
In the meantime, I’ll be content with happy memories of wandering along our Texas beach in 104 degree/100% humidity weather, playing with my cousins in the water, and trying to avoid jellyfish. Ahhh, good times.
jacquiegum says
SO pretty Meredith! I’d never think to bring in those hues of coral, but seeing it above, I love it! What a wonderful memory you shared….all but the jellyfish, that is!
Meredith says
Thanks Jacquie! Ironically the jellyfish have become one of or favorite family jokes/memories. 🙂
Erica says
I spent part of my childhood in Florida, and then moved to Philadelphia near the Jersey Shore. Quite frankly, I pretty much ignored the beach. Now I live in Southern California, and within the last year I’ve become obsessed with the beach. It is definitely my happy place. I love your picture. I want to sit on top of that big rock and look over the ocean.
Meredith says
It’s funny how easy it is to overlook something when it’s just a part of your everyday life. If I ever get a chance to live near the beach I think I’ll be there every day!
Donna Janke says
That is a great picture and I love the colours you pulled from it. I can almost the relaxed beachy atmosphere of a room decorated in that palette.
Meredith says
Thanks Donna, I think I’d spend a lot of time in that room. 😉
Ken Dowell says
I have the same sort of memories about the beaches on the New Jersey shore. Have spent at least a week of my summer there for most of the years of my life. Wider, lighter, softer and sandier than the one in your picture.
Meredith says
I visited the jersey shore one time, it was one of my favorite vacations!
Sabrina Q. says
Looks like a beautiful place. I love the colors you pulled from the picture. They are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Meredith says
Thank you Sabrina!
Phoenicia says
What wonderful childhood memories you have! I have memories of running along a hot sandy beach into the sea. I can smell the beach now and imagine the slimy seaweed becoming entangled in my feet.
Such a simple day out yet children love the beach.
Meredith says
It seems like a universal truth that kids love the beach, doesn’t it? I think that’s because we weren’t self conscious yet about how we looked in or bathing suits! 😉
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
So soothing and I love coral so much. Your line about sun that sears eyeballs is such a great line. This summer has been so hot. I need to create a palette for half-dead and crispy hanging flower baskets 😉
Meredith says
Ha! That would be a very sad palette indeed, but it would match my flower garden right now.
Rosalind says
Looks quite a bit like the White cliffs of Dover on the South coast of England http://celticmythpodshow.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/5fMQh.jpg an unusual angle though. If so, certainly cooler and damper than the Gulf of Mexico!
Meredith says
That’s what I thought too, Rosalind! So many beautiful places in the world…
patweber says
What an amazing talent to look at that gorgeous photo, pull in the colors to a color palette and then top it off with a childhood memory. What heaven Meredith!
Meredith says
Thank you, Pat. You just made my day! 🙂
Sherry says
I have fond memories of the beaches in Rhode Island. Not the same as the beaches here in Florida. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Meredith says
Thanks for visiting, Sherry! I’ve never been to RI but I have some very happy memories of Florida beaches. Funny how every beach is so different!