Back to the Beach

Posted 3/27/08
By Jane Kashlak

Cape May, NJ - When the late March / early April skies turn a particular shade of blue and the afternoon temps soar a little higher than usual, we get a deep, primal desire for just one thing - the beach.

Who can explain what in our evolutionary make up pulls us to the water's edge at the start of spring.

But we know we're not alone.

Some of the first beach goers of the season were already at work Wednesday afternoon, digging in the sand and splashing in the water.

They were a mix of local kids and their Marlton NJ visitors, breaking out the beach pails for the year and doing the first "how cold is the water?" test.

It was the unofficial beach opening ceremony. We were glad we could be there to help kick things off.

One of the joys of living year round in Cape May is instant gratification for hankerings like a walk on the beach or the smell of the ocean.

We take these for granted the way New Yorkers take subways and taxis for granted.

Just try to imagine life without them. Impossible.

For us, former urbanites, we've long since traded in the subways and cabs for that first feel of warm sand underfoot in spring, that first moment when the ocean turns from winter gray to an alluring spring blue.

And, for those of you in an office somewhere, let me be the first to tell you - that moment has arrived.