The beach cultivates my intuition

..Or atleast I'll know in the next 24 hours whether this holds up yet again. Anytime, I've found myself in a rut creatively, personally, physically..My greatest relief, break, leap has come at the beach. In my formative years, this occured in Long Beach Island and in my only spring break appearance Jamaica. Later, Bethany Beach in Delaware is where my family decided would be our next summer break and so I dutifully drove down six hours every third week of August (and cursed at the Delaware highway authorities because there were traffic jams in Delaware on every single trip). Tomorrow, the next stage is in Aruba where I join my wife's family. I'm not sure this is going to be a relaxing trip. Eight of us will be stuffed into a two bedroom apartment. My solace will come during the day when I'm poolside or at beach. At night, my 3-year old and six year old nephews may go nuts. But that's what family trips are about. I was no less wild 26 years ago (though I thought I was a little more tame).
Either way, I'm certain I would've gladly taken a break from work on Aruba or Montana. Its been a cold, windy and harsh winter. We've not found luck in homes yet. Its taken a claw-like grip on our lives and its not a very pleasant experience.
But the beach, wow, my mind opens up with waves hitting the shore. Tropical drinks unlock the safe that kept my imagination in check. I start thinking about those days in Long Beach Island when I was a teenager, when I got so much fulfillment out of life.
A "beach romance" almost happened, but I let is slip through my fingers because NJ-to-Ohio commute was not really conducive though we remained in touch for a few years (KB from Cuyahoga County, I am talking to you).
Then there our endless games of Scrabble, Boggle, tennis, Kadima. ENDLESS being the right way to phrase it.
Marathon bike rides and running. So thru much needed time to exercise, I could replenish my soul. You see I've never gotten used to early-morning exercise before work ever. So as much as I enjoy working out on the weekends, working out during the week is a crap@#. So vacation is where this happens and I enjoy every second of it
Finally, me and good literature connect here at the intersection of land, sea. Giving me some newfound patience and insight on a level I never thought I would have. Michael Chabon has taken words to a new level of precision and appreciation. You can't read this man in a bus or subway or even at home
In order to appreciate his words, you need to be free of responsibililty, absolved of any obligation and this is precisely what I found out last summer with the Yiddish Policeman's Union and later, the Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (the latter, which I will finally complete on this trip).
Well even in writing this, I've truly gotten myself excited.
Until next time.
Have some cocktails, put on the Beach Boys and read a good book when you find that you find that intersection of life and work has gotten too clogged and stuffy.