Its one of the few places i feel like i can just be.

Texas, with all of its actual problems, did right with the beaches here. There are no private beaches. Aside from state parks, the beaches are available to be used by anyone, at any time. I go there to watch the waves and think. I go there to watch the waves and not think about anything.

Ive spent a lot of time on the beach here. When i die, i want to be cremated, and scattered amongst the waves. Back to the one place ive spent more time at, than any where else. I have photos of me with my folks when i was a baby, at the exact same beaches i have photos of my children at, when they were babies themselves. My dad taught my sister and i to swim there. I taught my son and daughter to swim there. An insignificant circle, but a circle of life all the same.

Sunrise on the beach is my favorite.

The sun rising out of the Gulf. The wind stilled and the waves calm. The terns and other shore birds looking for mussels, and minnows. The smell of the sea interacting with the land. If you go dar enough south, there is still a place left that is truly dark, where you can see the Milky Way galaxy. I go out there occasionally when i want to feel small and wonder at my place amongst it all.

Back when i was younger i used to live on the beach, when rents were affordable for a college age kid with no degrees. Id make a ten min walk to the shore, and just walk. Sometimes id collect shells. Sometimes id find some really cool driftwood/driftrope to add to my collection. Sometimes id collect trash. Sometimes id drink my coffee and just wiggle my toes in the sand.

Ill never go far from the ocean, wherever i end up. Its a big part of my life.