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Beach

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Choosing the beach or the mountains as a summer vacation spot will of course be a matter of personal preference. At times, the sheer distance from your home will be a determining factor as well. You must ask yourself which setting will be more to your liking, and this will vary from person to person. Those who frequent one location repeatedly do so because they enjoy it, but the risk of becoming burned out with the same routine can easily catch up with any of us. Thus, the key to an enjoyable summer vacation is to employ diversity when choosing not only your destination, but also your activity.

However, when deciding whether a warm, sunny, sand-filled beach is preferable to spending time in the mountains, the choice for many becomes clear: the beach. For those of us who live in harsh climates ravaged by 6-7 months of winter each year, the ambiance of a beach is a welcome sight. Following months of having to bundle up like an Eskimo just to venture outside the confines of our homes, there is nothing quite as satisfying as wearing shorts, T-shirts, and losing the shoes and socks as we relax in a lounge chair and re-acquaint ourselves with brilliant sunshine, blue skies, and the mesmerizing heat that accompanies it. Our winter-whitened skin begins to retain subtle hints of brown. We admire the anatomy of other scantily-clad beachgoers. If we happen to be situated on an oceanfront, the mere sound of the tides and even the seagulls flying overhead can be hypnotically relaxing. During nighttime hours, the lights of distant ships can be seen and inspire inquisitive thought. Even on the base of a small lakefront, we can still enjoy the sunshine as we watch family members or others enjoy swimming, boating, or simply floating around on a raft.

Going to the mountains? Well, they are pretty at first sight over the horizon. You realize just how majestic these natural wonders are as you realize that they were 100 miles away when you caught that first glance. You begin to ascend. The view is spectacular as you approach the summit. You step outside and realize it's 30 or 40 degrees colder than it was a couple of hours ago. There may even be snow on the ground. If you live in a cold climate to begin with, why would you want to waste the precious and short summer months in an equally cold environment? The air is noticeably thin as you strain a bit to breathe. Perhaps you're a bit light-headed as well. You begin to make your descent. The roads are so curvy that you have to ride the brake constantly. In many situations, you find that exceeding about 20 mph makes your tires squeal for mercy. You've finally reached the bottom. It's warm again. But now the highway leads to another mountain, and you repeat the entire process all over again. After about 2 hours of this, one mountain is just like another. The novelty has worn off.

For those who truly wish to enjoy summer and everything this wonderful season stands for, spending time at a beach resort is the ultimate way to go.

Learn more about this author, Patrick Sills.
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