Tuesday, June 09, 2009

I don't like it

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I don't like the beach.

I don't like to be near the ocean.

I don't like the sound of the waves crashing.

I've lived near the ocean for the past 7 years (near = less than 15 miles away) and I only go when asked by visiting guests, for the most part. The beach at Daytona Beach is a place where you could drive your car on the sand, so I'd do that a few times a year.

I lived in Jacksonville an entire year before I went down to the beach...and even then I walked to the top of the dune (on the boardwalk,) looked at the water and beach for a few minutes and turned around and went back to the car. The first of May my husband asked me to go to the beach with him - I blogged about that visit here - so I do go, but I don't love it.

I think it all goes back to my early years. I was a very good swimmer. My nickname was fish! My grandparents had an indoor pool (it was soooo coool!) and I swam a lot. I would dive from the high dive at the community pool and swim circles around my friends. Then one day I went to visit my uncle and we took a trip to the ocean. I don't recall going too far out from the shore, but I got sucked under. I could hold my breath for a long time, but in a panic situation I think that time is cut in half. I honestly don't know what happened after going under, but I do remember coming up and my uncle was calling for me. He was so far away from me. He didn't see me at first, but when he did it seemed like a lifetime until he got to me.

I was taught not to cry while swimming (I was a crier, still am come to think of it) because it's so easy to choke on the water, so I didn't cry and go into full panic mode until I got close to shore. At least that's the way I remember it.

Water had a whole new meaning after that. I still swam in pools but I was totally turned off from bodies of water. I'd prefer not to be in a boat either.

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Oh, have I mentioned that I also lived on lake front property once upon a time when I last lived in Michigan? Yep, sure did. We had two boats, too. My husband loves the water and boats. sigh.

I know Leigh is probably gasping at the thought of someone NOT loving the beach. LOL She talks often about her trips to the beach and her plans on retiring there. I like beach houses, palm trees, warm winters, slight breezes and the bright colors of the beach theme. It would be perfect if it weren't for that darned water and sand.

Hope you have a great day!
Kristin

9 comments:

Marchelle said...

As hard as it is for me to imagine not liking the beach, I can definitely respect your reasoning! I love the sand, the sound of the waves & the gulls, even that 'fishy' smell that my mom hates, but I don't like water where I can't see the bottom. So needless to say, I don't get too far out in the ocean! The sea is very intimidating if you ask me! But still, SO beautiful!

I also don't like lakes or being in boats - ESPECIALLY canoes, and don't think I could ever go on a cruise. You can imagine my horror when my boyfriend at the time took me on a canoe trip for my 16th birthday.

Or how horrified I am during the sinking scene in Titanic!

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

My mom had a similar situation when she was little and doesn't like the beach or boating either. She made sure that her kids knew how to swim though. I guess it worked because I love boating. I really miss not living near water sometimes.

Keetha Broyles said...

I certainly understand how a near drowning experience could take away your "joy" of beach going. The ocean has a lot of power and we ALL need to respect it, even those of us who don't have as good a reason as yours to fear it.

Anonymous said...

I have a story from this very trip that is about respecting the power of the ocean. I might tell it tomorrow, or not. But the people involved got right back in the water.

How ironic that you've been stuck so close to it, and you are so disinterested in it, even negative toward it (with good reason).

And I and your friend who are irresistably drawn to it are so far away.

My state is Indiana, so close to Michigan, which you love. I like it fine. It gets too cold for me in winter, and the ocean is so far away.

A friend of mine who loves mountains was stuck in Florida for a couple of years. She eventually got her mountains for two more years. Now she's back in the flat part of Indiana.

I wonder how many people get to live right where they love it?

Anonymous said...

We're trying to work out a week at Daytona Ocean Walk again, so you've got me thinking . . .

I DON'T like swimming in the ocean. I've NEVER been in the ocean without my feet being on the ground.

I DO like walking, basking, sleeping and reading on the beach. I know I'm not supposed to sleep and bask - skin cancer - I know. I don't really do it anymore. We all lather up 50+ spf.

I DO like sitting on the beach, building sand castles and sand . . . stuff. Digging trenches. Digging up sand crabs for bait.

I DON'T like going to the beach for the DAY. The hour plus, sand in my pants, drive home is miserable. HATE that.

I LOVE going to the beach when we stay overnight. Spending the day and getting to take a shower IMMEDIATELY after, then going out for a bucket of Cajun shrimp and ice cold beer at Bubba Gumps. HEAVEN.

I LOVE sitting out on the balcony of a hotel at night, listening to the surf and (hopefully, if the moon is right) watching the waves.

I DO like walking on the beach at sunrise and sunset. Breathtaking.

I DON'T like walking on the beach at night. The scurrying little sand crabs freak me out.

Well. This just turned into a post draft. Thanks!

Kristin - The Goat said...

Wow, this got some comments :) I love the stories you all are telling. Thank you.

I have gone into the ocean since. I've swam in the ocean, too. But I don't care for it. I get lots of joy from so many other things that it isn't sad for me. But it could explain why no one comes to visit! :)

"J" said...

WOW! I would have NEVER thought this about you!!!! Just the fact that you live so close to the beach?!?!? Crazy!!!!! I love the water - love the beach - love the lake!!!! I was swimming with the fish this past weekend!!!! =) Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh how I love it!!!!!!!!

It just takes something like what you want through to turn you away though!!!! To this day I won't eat lasagna because I got sick with the stomach flu and threw-up lasagna!!!! Nope - won't eat it!!! lol It's not the same thing as your beacj story but you get the idea - and I thought it would give you a good laugh!!!!!

I don't want you to miss me to much!!!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

=)

"J" said...

I don't like sharks and I don't like jelly fish!!!! Ugh - that is the ONLY part of the beach I do not like!!!!!!!!!!

Sand, water, shells, long walks, waves, noise of the crashing waves, sun, birds, warm air, cool breeze - I love it all!!!

j said...

Being at the beach I like. Going into the water? Not so much. I don't know when I became such an anti water person but I have no desire to swim anymore (could be that I hate swim wear THAT bad).

But I LOVE to treasure hunt on the beach... during the fall and winter.