Elixir for My Soul

And these are the best days,

these are the best days.

Y'all put your money away,

I've got the round. 

-James McMurtry

This summer, perhaps even more than in summers past, I have needed the Jersey Shore.  The world these days is often a confusing and a convoluted place.  For me at least, while the ocean is a wonderfully mysterious place the depths of which I shall never plumb literally or metaphorically, it is a place that consistently elevates my spirit and my mood.  It has never betrayed me or even disappointed me.  

Margaret and I spent this past weekend at our little Paradise by the Sea accompanied only by our faithful canine companion, Sam, who had the great misfortune of accompanying me through the hot soup that was early Saturday morning as we covered almost 3.5 miles as our contribution to the Stomp the Monster Virtual 5K.  Several hours after Sam and I returned home, she hunkered down on the living room couch to sleep while Margaret and I relaxed on the 17th Avenue Beach down by the waterline.

 

It was hot and humid enough on Saturday that even when seated this close to the water, spontaneous combustion was a legitimate concern.  Spoiler alert:  We made it through unscathed.  

Sunday morning dawned bright and humidity-free, reinforcing my belief that weather has no memory.  While Sam snoozed with Margaret, I headed out on a four-mile run, taking North Boulevard around Lake Como out to 3rd Avenue. I then ran south into Spring Lake on 3rd Avenue towards its downtown.  Along the way, I passed by my wife's namesake, St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church.  

I ran through Spring Lake's downtown, where I saw one other runner and no one else, until I reached its terminus, which is at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Passaic Avenue.  There is a big, beautiful American flag that flies there.  Sunday morning, as I neared it, the breeze picked up just enough to fill it. 

East on Passaic Avenue to Ocean Avenue, at which point I hopped up onto the boardwalk and headed north towards home.  The early morning was, as it often is along the water, simply beautiful. 

Did not realize there was a surfer in the water until I reached 

home and saw this photograph on my phone. 

I left the boardwalk as I approached the September 11 Memorial so that I could pause there for a moment to pay my respects.  It truly is a magnificent and serene place - especially so in the early morning sun.

I told myself, as I started to doze off on the beach later Sunday morning, sitting with the Missus down by the waterline, I had earned the nap.  

True or not, it is my story and to it I shall stick.  

-AK