Paraphrasing the song lyrics of Judy Collins’ Clouds: I’ve looked at beaches from both sides now, both on and offshore, and still somehow, it’s beach illusions I recall, I really don’t know beaches at all. Or do I?
The beaches along the Long Island Sound are very rocky, making it somewhat difficult to walk out into the water. It is also notorious for tar deposits, requiring some kind of footwear in the water. There were jetties for climbing and exploring, steep sand cliffs for climbing up and jumping from, and an abundance of flat stones for skipping across the water.
The Sound provides the perfect environment for the formation of sea glass. One does not have to comb far before discovering a treasured prize: sea glass, seashells, driftwood, and novel stones. Shells are plentiful and colorful. The beach is primarily frequented by locals and is much less touristy. The waves are small, making it easy to swim, dive, and float about on inflatables.
The beaches of the Atlantic Ocean along the south shore are low lying, sandy, and protected by low rising, sea grass covered, sand dunes. They stretch the full length of the island, and are broken up occasionally by rock jetties, usually associated with an inlet to one of the many bays. The beach sand contains a significant amount of tiny iron granules that can be mined with a magnet and collected in a mason jar, if one were so inclined. I was so inclined.
The south shore beaches are crowded with tourists during the summer months. The surf, generally rough and powerful, commands great respect. Surf boards, body boards, and skimmers are prevalent everywhere. Beach combing at the ocean is not for the faint of heart. One can expect to walk miles in hope of discovering a treasure worthwhile collecting. Sea glass is much rarer than on the North Shore. Seashell species are generally larger, and fewer in number.
Whether on the north shore or south shore, the beaches are where people from all walks of life commune. They, like myself, are searchers, hoping to find relaxation, rejuvenation of body and spirit; searchers looking for answers to life’s many questions, and in the process, perhaps discovering a stone, a shell, a piece of glass or driftwood, a keepsake, a memento, some reminder of their visit, of their own undeniable physical and spiritual connection to the sea.
Being a gentleman, should you accompany me, I would offer you first dibs at any treasures we may happen upon during our walk, unless it happens to be a magic lamp buried in the sand. In that case, we just might have to fight over that one!