Lost Toys, Priceless Shells ...Back to school

All good things come to an end.... or perhaps not!

Family Beach Vacation "Sand Hole Digging 101"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      That about does it for the pleasant summer, family vacations, at the beach. It has been so nice this summer seeing the young kids enjoying this special place. Watching them learn new things at the beach like, perfecting their sand castles, boogie boarding, and swimming. Can't forget snorkeling, skim boarding and surfing. Oh, and shelling and fishing of course.

      With the exception of the notable three day holiday weekends, the beach has been relatively uncrowded and clean, water quality and temperature fantastic. No major jelly fish invasions, loud radios etc. Of course, a number of those tent/ canopies got themselves airborne and permanently bent out of shape, only to be retired to the fate of the blue beach barrels. (remember they are not considered recyclable!)

"Tube Walk"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Skim Boarding"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Surf Casting"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Kowabunga"
Copyright Noah Bridges

"Beach Strollering"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      I feel thanks are in order; first for the families who vacation here and show respect for the beach & our community; secondly for the  TOWB police force, under our new Chief Dan House, they have committed to uphold the quality of life here in Wrightsville.

Priceless Shells Found At Wrightsville Beach!

      I had the pleasure to watch two young brothers, on their last day of vacation, snorkeling just within the surf break and sandbar. They each struggled with their masks and snorkels and flippers and getting it all to work in harmony. Foggy mask, water in the snorkel, ill fitting flippers, their frustrations were ginormous... and then like crossing a threshold it all came together, as if nature had thrown a switch. It all began to work and they were able to focus on the world below the waves.

"Novice Snorkeler... Expert Adventurer"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      Suddenly, as the sandy bottom swirled with each wave passing overhead, it wasn't scary, those tiny fish weren't monsters and the shells on the bottom, well,  they were now to become there own individual treasures.

       Later, as they left the water with hands full of their new found booty, I overheard the one brother ask the other what he thought the shells might be worth, he replied "let's ask grandpa". Well I heard that conversation too. Grandpa said in calm knowledgeable voice "those shells are priceless". He knew well, this summer vacation and especially their new found success at snorkeling would be with them for a lifetime.

        

Delayed Reaction to Salt Air

      I'm sure many of you readers have deep fond memories of vacations. Vacations  have a way of sticking with us and being a part of who we are through life.

      I remember my childhood summer vacations taken on the "Jersey Shore". No! not the un-reality TV version we see today, but at nice beach towns not much different than Wrightsville.... when the families are around. Each summer, as we were crossing the causeway to the beach leaving the real world behind, my father would say.."aah! smell that salt air...that  will make you sleep tonight".

"Boogie Board & Boarder at Rest"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As a kid I never understood it, but I have since figured it out. My dad never took a nap that I could recall except on summer vacation, Lying on the beach blanket, "out like a light". He always said it was the salt air, that made him do it.. And as for us kids, we ran full out all day at the beach... and I mean full out. We were never bored and never resting. No TV on vacation after dinner, just great beach & family time... and then our heads hit the pillow, and we were out like a light.

       I guess we had a delayed reaction to the salt air.

Lost Toys

"Lost Toys....Yard Sale!"
Copyright Noah Bridges

      As Wrightsville transitions into the college season, you can see the decreasing family presence.

             U-Haul trucks and trailers abound and student renters with all their stuff and immature behaviors inundate the community. Soon, all that will be left of that calmness of the summer, will be the ghostly remains of lost beach toys materializing from the sand with the changes of the tide.

       Of course it is not only students and it is not all students, that are a part of the negative elements of this transition  But the reality is; the atmosphere changes and not for the better. Drunkin, noisy, crude, rude and lude behavior is not acceptable in our community. These rental properties should not be competing for the "Animal House Award". Chief House and his police force are committed to our quality of life. The Chief has undertaken an ongoing community outreach to solidify his commitment and broadcast the message. So all you wild renters this autumn, beware you have been so notified. Do not assume, what you got away with last year is business as usual this year.

Perhaps this latest incoming herd of  renters, will be more mature and reflect  the values of their family vacations as a child and they will treat our island community with the respect we all deserve . We can certainly pray they do.

Oh I almost forgot  they also seem to lose their toys on the beach. I found some just yesterday. Aluminum & Glass Beer and Wine Bottles & Cigarette Butts.... not to forget shirts, socks and undergarments of all varieties. Yuk! 

"This is against the Law at WB"
Copyright Noah Bridges

WAKE UP & WISE UP!

BTW, you can reach Chief House to register your kudos and comments at dhouse@towb.org

Thanks for reading,

Noah