VACATION MEMOIRS

During my early school years, late summer was that time of year when my family closed up the Oklahoma home and we drove the three long grueling days to New England to see our relatives. I didn't mind the 3-day drive because I got to see a lot of other states and how people lived and worked. I also got to meet new people and other kids along the way, which made the trip more fun.

I always looked forward to driving through rolling Oak tree-filled hills of Missouri and passing through the farmlands of Tennessee after crossing the mighty Mississippi River near Memphis. Eventually, I could smell the sweet, pungent odor of the mountain pines as we passed through the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It was always fun seeing all the busy traffic of New York City, as we crossed the Tapenzee Bridge into the tree-lined highways of Connecticut. The trip was truly an adventure in its self.

I always looked forward to finally arriving in New England because my cousins and I spent much of my vacation time at the beach. The one-hour drive through Rhode Island to the coast seemed like a short distance to travel. My cousins and I would make a game out of searching the air continuously with our noses for the first sign of an ocean breeze. The ocean breeze carried the enticing aroma of salt air, sea life, sea plants and ocean mist, all odors we so desperately seek. The wonderful smell of the ocean also carried distance memories for me of past visits here with my cousins. We use to lie on the beach and listen to the sounds of seagulls squawking and children laughing and moving about to the sound of the pounding waves on the shore sands, as we shared crazy stories of things that happened to us over the year since we were last together.

Once we arrived, we rested on the beach until we were ready to attempt skin diving adventure in the cold sixty-eight degree water off the harbor jetties. We usually walked out on the jetties about one hundred and fifty yards and dove off into the ice-cold, deep, dark blue water to investigate the sea life around the rocks. My arms and legs would sting severely from the intense cold water and I would shiver uncontrollably until my body regulated its temperature. I usually found myself tangled up in the seaweed and other sea vegetation as it swayed back and fourth with the current across my legs and arms.

With my skin diving mask on, I could look down toward the sea floor and see lobsters and crabs, walking along the bottom in search of food or shelter. As I reached for the sea floor, the wave swells would pick me up and then lower me back down in equal secession. It was truly a most memorable experience. Summer was now over and I returned to land-locked Oklahoma to continue school, carrying with me my memories of a distant beach in the New England sun.

Learn more about this author, Craig Hitchcock.
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