Community Chat

[JustJules]

I think there are a few things people should always try to see in their life, if possible. The ocean is one of those things. I was born in England, and have many fond memories of my parents taking me down to the seashore....building sandcastles, walks along the boardwalk getting fish & chips and ice cream cones from the wagon. Even when the weather was blustery or chilly, the ocean was a sight to behold and there is nothing like feeling wet sand between your toes. The smell of the salty ocean spray. The beauty of this world is the different oceans. The Atlantic of course is chilly and can be harsh, but still beautiful. Many times we were on rocky beaches, not long sandy ones, but the experience was amazing. I have family in San Diego, so being on the Pacific beach is a completely different animal. Lots of seaweed, fun to walk along the beach, play in the surf, beautiful sunsets. There are so many gorgeous oceans and beaches, and so many I want to see. In my life so far, I think my favorite is the Caribbean Sea. Pure and pristine white sandy beaches, with aqua -turquoise blue warm ocean water. The type of beauty that makes you forget your problems and want to stay there forever.

That being said, when I moved from England, across the pond to Colorado and nowhere near an ocean, I grew up in the most beautiful place. The mountains and foothills are so gorgeous. I was totally happy not living near an ocean, although it was nice to travel and go see one from time to time. I now live in the middle of those corn fields and wheat fields and in the sunflower belt, and it has it's own beauty too. I am a true water baby, so I think I will eventually end up near the ocean again. This country has so many beautiful places, but I do think for people that have never experienced the power of an ocean, it is something I would put on my bucket list.

[FrostyBabe]

On 6/23/2014 Luv2Decorate said:

On 6/23/2014 FrostyBabe said:

My primary residence is in the great frozen snowbelt of the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, but I also have a beach place on one of the Gulf barrier islands. I can't imagine not being able to be on the beach. I love the smell of salt water, sugary white sand, roar of the waves and sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee in the morning, watching the dolphins and pelicans fish for their breakfast.

We are in West Michigan too. Lake Michigan runs through my veins. Our second residence floats on Lake Michigan. This Thursday we head out onto the Big Lake for our annual boating vacation, heading north. I can't wait to hear the engines roar and being mesmerized watching the wake. The forecast for the lake is 1ft or less. Perfect.

When we're out there running up the coast, the sense of calm that comes over us is amazing and addictive.

Ohhhh, that sounds like complete bliss! Should be perfect weather (if channel 8 is right) for your trip. Enjoy! If all goes as planned, I'll be able to get out on the lake part of the weekend on some friends sailboat.

[Mmsfoxxie]

I live in the midwest and was well grown before I saw an ocean up close and personal. I got no special feeling about it...maybe because I'm right near Lake Michigan. Ocean was bigger and prettier but it doesn't bother me not to be near one.

[jubilant]

On 6/23/2014 Sabatini2 said:

On 6/23/2014 jubilant said:

On 6/22/2014 Sabatini2 said:

On 6/22/2014 raven-blackbird said:

On 6/22/2014 chrystaltree said:

On 6/22/2014 raven-blackbird said:

being a Cali gal............it's hard to believe someone has never seen the ocean........I'm sure there are people who haven't ..........but it's still hard to imagine that LOL.........................raven

....not so hard if you look at a map of the USA. The majority of Americans live far away from any ocean.

eactly...........it's just hard to believe that at some time in one's life one hasen't driven by the coast on their way to someplace else.........flown over it.......made it a vacation destination.......I guess it happens that some people have never seen it.......but it doesn't make it any less hard to believe......................................raven

I don't think it's that hard to believe, raven. There are people who aren't as fortunate as others, and a vacation, or any type of travel at all isn't in the cards for them, and may never be.

Noel, Lotus, and muttmom, TY for the kind words! I wish I'd been able to do more back then.

Back to gidget's thread...

That has been our situation. We went to a wedding of my DH's niece in Maryland and it was so foggy I couldn't see the ocean. One other time, in the 90's I visited my aunt and uncle and again.....foggy! After that we had some tragedies' and health problems that nixed all vacations. We have been to the mountains and I love the mountains. I love the Great Lakes, too. Sometime before I die....I would love to see the ocean on a clear day!

jubilant, I hope you do get that opportunity!

Thanks, Sabatini2. Were hoping in the next couple of years.

[bells4me]

I grew up between Huntington & Newport beach in So California. I love the beach even more than the mountains. My favorite thing to do is walk the pier, but also the smell, waves crashing, surfers, seagulls, just everything. It's the thing I missed most when I moved. I took it too much for granted when I had it.

[sunshine45]

here are some calm waves for everyone.....courtesy of the delaware beaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poGPWGLMLdI

[FlowershopGirl]

I'm very close to the ocean and love it. I used to surf but can't take that chance now. I've always lived close to the ocean and though I love it, I am pretty sure I'll love the high desert country and its a new adventure. I've usually always vacationed near an ocean, sea, water too.

I actually truly thought that corn fields were beautiful when I first saw them and I like the inland rolling hills of places like Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas. I had never seen the deep hollows of the Ozarks and though the er, mountains, were not high, they were beautiful!

[cindyinfl]

DH & I are retired and live in NE Florida, about 20 minutes from the Atlantic coastline. Although we did not enjoy being in t he ocean, we do enjoy walking along the beach. I find it very grounding and relaxing. I have a sign in one of our bathrooms that says "The voice of the sea speaks to the soul"> Chopin. I feel that is so true.

I have lived in land locked areas of the US, and lived near the Great Lakes, and think there is beauty to be found all over the US. But IMO , living near and experiencing the ocean is the best feeling ever.

[jubilant]

On 6/24/2014 sunshine45 said:

here are some calm waves for everyone.....courtesy of the delaware beaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poGPWGLMLdI

Oh, thanks for sending the ocean to those of us who don't see it or have never heard it like that. I can see why some here say it sounds like thunder.

[shesallthat]

On 6/23/2014 Grammy75 said: You guys that live close to the ocean crack me up! I live in the middle of no where and love it!! The ocean is nice but once you've seen water, it's just water. (Paraphrasing someone's post about a corn field) I can't imagine living by water. We do drive 31/2 hours to go to our place at the lake. I can stand it for a few days then I'm ready to head home. Thank God, that he created so many climates for all of us to enjoy. Oh, and yes I've seen the ocean.

ITA with you Grammy! the closest big body of water to me is the gulf of mexico on the gulf coast of Ms. it was very nice to see it the first time and we plan on taking the boys down next year because they have never seen it but after a few times - and not to mention the almost 4 hour drive to get there !!!! - i am totally fine with being landlocked here in central ms. i do not miss it or wish i was closer to it either. like you after a few days i am ready to come back home!