The Beach in the ’80s
“Want to hit the beach?”
“Absolutely!”
“I’ll be there in a few!”
I would hop into my friend’s parents’ trusty sedan, and we’d be off. Our essentials included a couple of sodas, a bottle of coconut-scented oil, a handful of teen magazines, and a portable cassette player. Total preparation time? A mere ten minutes.
The Beach Today
Fast forward to now, and planning a beach day requires a lengthy chain of texts:
“Are we going to the beach?”
“When are we thinking?”
“Wednesday?”
“Can’t make it. How about Thursday?”
“Not Thursday, either. What about Friday?”
“Friday morning works, but I fear parking will be a nightmare.”
“Okay, Friday afternoon it is. What about mornings?”
“Monday?”
“Perfect! Let’s say 9:00 AM.”
On the day itself, I rise early to get things ready. I fill a cooler with ice packs, lemonade, juice boxes, and slices of fruit—because snacks are crucial, especially for growing kids. I pack a beach bag overflowing with sweet and savory treats, ensuring we have enough to satisfy the appetites of tweens and teens.
I carefully wrap sandwiches in plastic, plus extras for those that might get too sandy. The tween is tasked with filling water bottles, which inevitably leads to an eye-roll and a ten-minute search around the house. I point out the bottles sitting right in front of her, and she shrugs, sheepishly.
Next, I rummage through closets and bags for sunscreen. Gone are the days of Hawaiian Tropic oil; now we prioritize sun protection. I gather lotions, sprays, and lip balms, ensuring we’re well-prepared. I instruct the kids to find their rash guards, only to hear complaints about wearing them and struggles to locate them.
While I pack my cover-up and beloved beach pants, the kids keep asking, “When are we leaving?” Amid the chaos, I manage to find hats for everyone, knowing they’ll likely get tossed aside as soon as we arrive.
I dig the umbrella out of the garage, brushing off cobwebs and spiders—an essential item now that I’m “older” and can’t handle the heat as well. The boy is assigned towel duty, but after a long search, he proudly presents a bag of crumpled towels.
The most labor-intensive task is gathering chairs. Lying on a towel is no longer feasible; I need proper seating to relax. I pack the chairs, feeling very much like an adult.
Then come the beach toys: boogie boards, footballs, buckets, and nets. Kids today seem to get bored easily, a notion that feels outrageous to me. Finally, we mustn’t forget the goggles—today’s kids can’t swim without them, unlike us who embraced the sting of saltwater and chlorine in our eyes.
As we’re about to head out, I grab a first-aid kit—someone always manages to get scraped at the beach—and bug spray for the inevitable bites from pesky insects.
From the initial planning text to our departure? Ten days and three hours. Before stepping out, I toss in a magazine, dreaming of recapturing that carefree vibe from the ’80s.
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Summary
The beach experience has transformed from a spontaneous outing fueled by simplicity in the ’80s to a meticulously planned event filled with extensive preparation and numerous supplies today. While technology and knowledge have changed the way we approach beach days, the essence of enjoying the sun and surf remains timeless.