#beachlife

So I'm at the beach. Again.

I generally average a beach trip once or twice a year. But in the last 18 months, I'd say I've had quite a lot of beach time. Let's see, there was a month in Costa Rica last spring, a week at the beach with my family on the east coast right after that, another week at the beach last fall, a weekend in San Diego in November, and I'm back at the beach now. Plus, I now live 1.5 hours away from the Oregon coast!

          Playa Guiones, CR

                   Cannon Beach, OR

             Wrightsville Beach, NC

Even though I love living in the mountains, beach time is absolutely necessary to my life! For many reasons...

1. Beach yoga!
I've written many times about how kid-like I've become (again) when it comes to a wide open beach. I have this deep-seated need when I see a beach to roll around in the sand. I lose my fear, or most of it anyways, and feel like trying things that I've been too scared to do in a class. Like handstand. Or acro. Or cartwheels.

                Acro in Costa Rica

        Cartwheels in Lagos, Portugal

   Cartwheels in Oswald State Park, OR

           Jumps in Mallorca, Spain

             Wrightsville Beach, NC

                    San Diego, CA

             Cannon Beach, OR

At least during the summer, I love getting all kinds of sandy, and then jumping into the ocean!

          Sandy bum after beach yoga

2. Beach runs
I love running on the beach at low tide. The sand cushions my knees, but is firm enough that I can get a good stride. Can't miss the view either!

3. Surfing and SUP-ing
While in Costa Rica, I fell in love with surfing. I suck at it, but love floating around in the waves and paddling around on the board. And of course the occassional time I "catch" a wave.

       Kayaking and SUP-ing in NC

            Surf instructors in Costa

4. R&R
I relax at the beach in a way I absolutely don't anywhere or anytime else. The minute I inhale some salt air, I practically feel the tension drain away.

In general, beach time is all about balance for me, to restore myself. I'm insanely active and insanely restful. I'll average three activities a day, and a romance novel in the same time. There are the few times where I've adventured during beach trips though. Gotta love playing tourist!

             Exploring Vancouver, BC

      Hiking in Oswald State Park, OR

      Overnight trip to Dominical, CR

                Exploring San Diego

                      Cadiz, Spain

            UNC girls in Lagos, Portugal

     Road trip to Todos Santos, Mexico

                 Exploring Seattle

After playing a field hockey tournament in Santa Barbera, CA

5. Sunsets!

The sunsets are amazing! #cloudporn like whoa!

                       San Diego

                 Playa Guiones, CR

           Wrightsville Beach, NC

6. Time with friends and family. Or time by myself.

I love reuniting with my family and puppies at the beach! I also love walks on the beach and explorations with friends.

                Barcelona, Spain

            Masonboro Island, NC

              Wrightsville Beach, NC

                Playa Guiones, CR

              Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

                    Lake Dillon, CO

      

I also love going to the beach alone. I love reading romance novels and turning my overanalytical mind off. On the flip side, I've done some of my best thinking and decision-making at the beach. Walking in the surf, watching the waves, siting in the sand is meditative to me.

Hope you enjoyed a taste of my vacation! I'm going to get back to it!