The Beach's Sweet Sixteen

2009. Sweet Sixteen for the Metson/Rawcalf Beach Tradition.

During the first week of August, we went on our annual beach vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As one can see, we've been going there for sixteen years because we love it. This year was no exception. By Wednesday, we had everythere who was supposed to be there meaning all 14 of us.

As the crew has gotten older, our beach activities have changed a bit. We used to play all kinds of games, build sandcastles, bury people in the sand, and sea shell hunt. Now, we tend to read, read, read, take walks, read, read, read, play Boce ball, read, read, read, and nap. The only thing that has actually remained the same is that we always go in the water. When we were younger, it did not matter what the temperature of the water was as we would play in it no matter what. Now, we are a bit more sensitive, but the goal is to always make it in at least once per beach session (there are two per day).

Another thing that has remained the same is FOOD; although, I think that we eat a bit more than we used too. Meals have always been a favorite. Ever single meal is eaten as though there may not be another one. Breakfast is the only meal that is rather haphazardly assembled. Lunch typically consists of decedant sandwiches, chips, and desert. Then there's dinner. Seriously, dinner at the beach is just wonderful. The week's meals have not changed since we started going there 16 years ago. We have Honey Baked Ham, burgers, steak, sea food, BBQ, Pizza, and leftovers. The order is allowed to change, but not the main dishes of the meals. And naturally, there's desert. We get pie, ice cream, fudge, fruit pizza, leftover birthday cake, and anything else people decide to bring.

To some, our beach week may seem a bit boring. Yet, each year brings more fun, adventures, stories, and people. Hopefully, we will all still be going there 16 years from now. And who knows, we could own a house by then...