Thanksgiving Week 2016 at the Beach

By Bob Surrette

Footprints in the sand often tell a story. In the earliest morning hours after an overnight storm one might only find evidence of the boots of fisherperson and the little feet of shore birds. In the warm months morning swimmers may walk barefoot down to the water's edge through the cool sand for a quick, cleansing dip in the surf—and then straight back up the beach again to their conveyances. Nothing like a quick dip in bracing salt water to heal what wounds you.

The next wave of prints may be the beach goers, with their umbrellas, blankets, coolers and kids. The more kids of all ages, the more random the evidence of human beings in the area. Besides in and out of the water, they may walk the edge of the land searching for shells, almost always barefoot. At dusk the beach goers leave like the outgoing tide only to be replaced by fisherpeople again, and the people with metal detectors, both likely in boots. Sometimes you can see evidence of the sweep of the detector across the surface of the sand or you will come across shallow holes dug in the sand, dug while looking for left-behind buried valuables. Overnight winds and the tide will fill in many of the depressions made by man and bird.

The beach is a year-around attraction. There is not nearly a day goes by that there is not some evidence of activity on the beaches—if you look for it. For example, dogs are allowed back on many beaches after Labor Day and can come back until Memorial Day. They generate copious paw prints. Perhaps a few are the results of running free.

While there may be evidence of bare feet on the beach from time to time, even in the coldest months, it is more likely you will see shoe prints. Some will leave elegant designs. Some will press lightly into the granules with little space between them. Others, heavier, deeper, will provide evidence of heavier beings with longer strides, both from long legs and running/jogging. At the beach, most of us enjoy looking at the water and the sky, especially when moisture in the air is put on fire by the rising or setting sun. However, there is another view to be admired, a story beneath our feet that is there for the looking down.