Beaches have been, are and always will be some of the most beautiful places on earth. Whether blissfully tranquil or violently angry (like this morning on the New England coast), beaches are magnificent natural works of art.

I have no fears about beachgoing - if one uses common sense, one can spend a day at the beach and avoid the hazards while still enjoying the view. As for this summer, the weather here has provided less than a week of ‘beach days’ and our family has joined a club with a pool so any sunbathing I might do will take place there.

I have only been to Florida beaches, but I love every minute of it when I’m there. I have no beach phobias. I’m somewhat of an adventurist and love getting out in the waters. There serenity in standing on the beach sand and starring out into the endless ocean water. PRICELESS!!!

Love beaches, especially the ones in Abaco, the Bahamas. Only phobia was caused by almost stepping on a rattle snake on Kiawa beach!

I like to *look* at the water and wade in it a bit. ; ) Never liked it even as a kid, got smacked around too many times, sand up my nose, sand everywhere, caught in undertows, wrapped myself around a pier once trying to save myself, was bit by a jellyfish, stung like crazy and I was always scared of that BIG WAVE that might sneak up behind me so I was always looking over my shoulder and panicking. haha I gave people plenty to laugh about! I guess some of us are not ocean girls. I did grow up on a lake though and would swim across it, jump off huge rocks into it (landed once on a snake and got right back in soon after) so it is just the ocean that I keep at a thigh’s length.

I still LOVE the beach…but am less enamored with cold water.  Give me bath tub temps, please!

I am no longer a beach person…I cant stand the sand everywhere…It stays with you all the way home and I mean HOME…When my now hubby was in Iraq that sand made its way into every letter and package he ever sent home…after those 8 months, the beach for my husband and all the sand is just not his favorite spot.

I love beaches but not longer "hang out" on them like I used to. for one i don’t tolerate the sun and heat like i used to. i used to spend and entire day on a beach reading, swimming and laying out. Now i can do it for about two hours then i’m done.

I have been to Cabo San Lucas several times.  At the tip, there are signs posted very clearly.. NO SWIMMING.  This is an interesting area because it is where two oceans meet, and the undertow is fierce.  In spite of that, tourists who have had one margarita too many still jump into that water and get into serious trouble quickly.  

I love the beach but never wade more than ankle deep. An encounter with a jellyfish a few years back has made me more respectful of what is in the water .

 

Beach phobias? Maybe Canada goose poop and the stray sharp object, but that’s it. That’s one of the major advantages of the Great Lakes - fresh water and only fresh water critters. There can be hazardous currents, but if you respect the weather, the Lakes, and your own limitations you’ll be fine.

I don’t ever want to leave the Lakes basin. i grew up canoeing and swimming the lakes and rivers here, rowed while in college and, although I can have my kayak down to the river and on the water within 30 minutes of getting home from work, I still get a visceral urge to run over to one of the big lakes every so often.  Being near or on the water is like breathing to me. 

Oh, one more thing - I was looking for a good photo to link here and while browsing was reminded - we don’t have seashells and coral beaches like ocean beaches - we have sand and rocks. Rock hunting,  boat watching ( http://www.boatnerd.com ), and lighthouse touring are givens here.

My fellow Ann Arborite Lars takes great photos. These are from up near the tip of the little finger of Michigan’s mitten - http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jensenl/visuals/album/2007/traverse/