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It is difficult to find an argument against either one of these captivating vacation locales. I have had fantastic beach experiences starting in my youth at the Jersey and Maryland shores. In those days a walk at night on the boardwalk became painful, sometimes even impossible, after a day on a sunny beach with no more protection on my light skin than Baby Oil and iodine. In those days, the Boardwalk action at night was just as important as the tan we tried to achieve during the day.

As an adult, I have enjoyed the palm trees of Florida and California, the pink sand of Bermuda, and the exotic world of the French West Indies. Each offered a unique experience at the time. I can still picture in my mind the light breeze and blowing palms, pounding white surf and blue, blue water. Who would not like to enjoy THAT memory?

However, as time passes, the desire to saute my skin on a crowded beach has vanished. I am also not such a fan anymore of the effects of salt water and sand. That is, unless I am strolling on the beach with a little of the surf tickling my toes. Sadly, for me, the "cons" now outweigh the "pros" when at the beach.

My most relaxing vacations include clean, dry air, a dramatic mountain with majestic pine trees, and a clean lake with no motors to spoil the solitude. Something inside of me clicks in the mountains, and I am quickly in tune with all of nature around me. I like this place where the pace slows to a crawl and where the chatter of birds soothes my nerves. I love the fact that meeting a deer on a walk never fails to bring a spark of excitement. I celebrate the fact that, for a time, crossing paths with an animal in the woods gives me more pleasure than meeting another human.

These joys have never been my experience when at the beach. Perhaps if I owned my own home and my own private beach, I might feel differently. Our oceans and beaches are beautiful, but overuse by man and the ecological struggle to keep them clean has made them less appealing. There is something off-putting about stepping on a hypodermic needle or other hazardous trash while taking a stroll on a beach in my bare feet.

I find it inexplicable that many people can vacation at a beach with minimal appreciation for nature around them because man has spent a lot of money to cover it up. Whereas in the mountains, it is impossible to ignore the intricacies and splendor of an unspoiled Mother Nature. Waking in the morning to a woods alive with activity feeds my soul. Going to bed at night exhausted from physical activity and sleeping like a rock in the cool, dry air is difficult to duplicate in my real world. Even food tastes better there because all of my senses are sharpened and appreciative.

There remain sanctuaries in our mountains, places untouched by man's greed, where we can feel a spiritual connection for the world as it was before money became our god. Native Americans understand the power of mountains and celebrate them in their culture. You can discover their magic too. They welcome all who will respect them, will listen to them, and who will protect their animal residents.

Learn more about this author, Diane Quinn..
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