A New Day

After a long day at the beach its time to pack up.  The umbrella and chair rental guy is already at work breaking everything down.  Some young adults have had a bit too much of everything and are now passed out and sleeping it off.

The babies are done.  No more sand castles, no more running away from those constant incoming waves.  They have crashed too, but in the comfort of Mom and Dad's arms or the safety of their stroller.

Its time to pick up all the beach toys and give them a good rinse at the water station.  Its time to give the towels a good shake so that most of the sand is left for another day of play.  Umbrellas and the stakes are now pulled and packed to go.  Chairs that have settled into sand like concrete are forced up with what little strength remains.  You sort out all your trash to drop off for recycling as your last act.

As you make your way off the beach, you look back.  You see all the footprints.  You see all the holes that were dug for building and the castles that took all day to erect.  What a mess you and others are leaving behind.

But fear not.  Mother nature will take over once you have left.  The birds will pick the place clean of all remaining crumbs.  The beach crew will pick up anything that is left behind.  The tide will return, washing away all those footsteps, all those holes and sandcastles, making way for a new day at the beach.

See you there!