Which was the only thing we could do after the teaser

Taking an afternoon drive alongside the beach, practically all by yourself and without so much as touching the sand with your toes, is like having only a single forkful of double decker, fresh banana-filled, buttercream frosting, perfectly moist and spongy birthday cake at a party. 

You just have to go back, and quick, for more. 

So we loaded up the troops at our earliest convenience this weekend and headed to our favorite spot in Southwest Michigan. 

We dined at our favorite restaurant there, and we enjoyed the shops and the art fair in charming downtown.

And we strolled along the beach, and played in the sand.

We played in the sand and in the water, and we watched the sun set.

Oh yes!  Sunset is good! (Sand is baaaaad.)

Each time we do this, at least a handful of times each summer, I snap eight thousand pictures as the sun sets.  Just over six hundred last night, actually. 

I wish to live in those moments when the summer air cools and the colors of the sky- and everything the light touches changes.  The breeze heightens in a subtle way, and each five minutes is both slightly and incredibly different from the last.

I want to digest that over and over, and hold it so fresh in my mind so that I can access the quiet and the stillness, and the changes, always.  I want to watch this like it's my job to see this, so often. 

Most nights I look outside and notice that it is simply getting dark.  I glance at the clock as I clean up the kitchen and know that I must next orchestrate baths and stories, snacks and drinks, teeth brushing and one last bottle for the baby.  There are houses and trees and fences and buildings that block my view of this, and I forget that my favorite part is coming up, because I cannot see it, and then I forget. 

And then it happens- my favorite part.  Where the sun is there, burning in plain view, and then that one tiny moment passes, and it slips beyond the horizon, turning the sky a myriad of new reds and purples. 

I need to pack my family and move to the beach. 

At least that's settled.

Comments

[BetteJo]

Sigh-h-h . . looks lovely. :)

[Cindy]

So beautiful Moll!! We need to move to the beach too!! Maybe we could live next door to each other!!

[Crystal]

Those are beautiful.

[Jen L.]

I'm so glad you got to go back and play. There's nothing like a sunset on the beach. That was definitely my favorite part of our vacation this year and I made sure to sneak up to the roof to watch it as many times as I could.

[Erica]

Beautiful. We are headed to Chicago for our vacation and my husband wants to go up to Michigan, you will have to give me some pointers on where to go. Maybe we can meet for coffee one morning. We will be there hopefully the last week in July.

[Parker_B]

Really great posts lately! I can tell you are a teacher, because you write so well :)

I also like all the beautiful photos you posted- especially that one of the three kids, with KJ putting his hand on his "mini-me"!

[Tina]

gorgeous pictures! =)

[HollowSquirrel]

Mols, are you in St Joe or SoHa? We'll be in South Haven the last week of July! Bring the kids & come up!

[SJ]

Beautiful shots, I love the beach for the sunsets alone. And I cherish each and every one I get to see.