Beach 101
Let me clarify for everyone what a beach should be like. Good weather. Warm water and gentle waves.
Fine white sand, preferably in long uninterrupted stretches.
Shells for gathering, sorting, and studying. (Not those little mussel things with the black flaky coating either.)
1 tide cycle a day. Yes, I know this will come as a shock to some but AL (N/S coasts and gulfs) has one. It took me two days and a few hours of googling to figure out the AL tide charts I was viewing weren't messed up. The moon's drag on the ocean can't make a fast enough difference in a gulf to give the two high/two low per day tides. Why does this matter? You can set up on the beach in the morning and stay there all day. The waves won't sneak up and destroy your sand castle or strand you out on a rock ledge. Quite necessary when burying your children.
There are some places in this country which "have" beaches. But I would submit that they actually have coasts. Coasts are good for long winding drives, varied vistas, and quaint little towns. They are also good for wind (can't have all those cutesy little pines that lean to one side unless it is always windy) sea gull pooh, seaweed (face it, "beach smell" is really rotting vegetation), gritty sand, and waves that need constant watching.
To be fair, some coasts have beautiful features. Sunsets, tide pools, snorkeling/reefs, and sheer volume - but all 53 miles of AL's coast are true beach. And should you need a little more, Florida is close by. Coasts are for traveling and exploring. Beaches are for relaxing.
S
Fine white sand, preferably in long uninterrupted stretches.Shells for gathering, sorting, and studying. (Not those little mussel things with the black flaky coating either.)
1 tide cycle a day. Yes, I know this will come as a shock to some but AL (N/S coasts and gulfs) has one. It took me two days and a few hours of googling to figure out the AL tide charts I was viewing weren't messed up. The moon's drag on the ocean can't make a fast enough difference in a gulf to give the two high/two low per day tides. Why does this matter? You can set up on the beach in the morning and stay there all day. The waves won't sneak up and destroy your sand castle or strand you out on a rock ledge. Quite necessary when burying your children.
To be fair, some coasts have beautiful features. Sunsets, tide pools, snorkeling/reefs, and sheer volume - but all 53 miles of AL's coast are true beach. And should you need a little more, Florida is close by. Coasts are for traveling and exploring. Beaches are for relaxing.
S
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