Resolution: Give in to the Pull of Jones Beach

Most years, my New Year’s resolutions sound like many people’s resolutions: I want to be healthier, eat more fruits and vegetables and less cake, work out more and be in less of a rush in my daily life. Too vague, too open ended, too hard to implement. 

This year I am trying a different approach to resolutions and it took me until almost the end of January to decide on what my resolution will be. That’s okay though because this is a resolution to be started in the spring. I want to go to more often. 

This year, I got my Empire pass early as I have done the last few years. This year they included an incentive of a $25 camping gift card so it was a no brainer to get it early enough for that.  My son camps with his friends and one of my mottos is “free is key”.  I do try to take advantage of those kinds of special offers and when I am just getting what I would get anyway, why not?

My resolution is to and get to “the” beach more, which for me is Jones Beach.  We live so close to Jones Beach and it is one of the top reasons for living in Wantagh.  It is way cheaper than a gym membership, yet it is nature’s gym. Cheaper than a vacation, yet a full day at the beach is as refreshing as a short vacation -- minus the Throgs Neck Bridge. Cheaper than a beach club membership or an annual family pool pass, yet it offers all the same benefits and more.

I love the beach in the morning when many people walk the boardwalk daily and many friends gather to have coffee together in the same spot at the same time every day. I love it in the evening when there are activities at the Bandshell, families are bar-b-cuing,  playing volleyball or mini golf and strolling while enjoying the beautiful views. The ocean is ever changing, powerful and always beautiful. I love to go to Jones Beach after a storm. 

My favorite time is to go to the beach with my family and see everyone enjoying the waves, the sun and the whole experience. I love to go with my friends and sit in comfy beach chairs and catch up on everything while eating food that tastes better than anywhere else. It is delightful to walk the boardwalk with a good friend talking, laughing and enjoying the atmosphere. I always feel the pressures of life lift from my shoulders as soon as I pull into the parking lot. It is truly a magical place.

This year I promise myself (and whoever is on Patch.com reading this!) to go to Jones Beach more often, to stay longer and to leave more of the chores and the many things that always need to be done for the next winter. I will keep my "emergency summer kit" in the car at all times: my beach chair, a beach book, a bottle of water and some sun screen.

I can’t wait to make this resolution a reality. I don’t remember ever feeling like that about my resolutions in years past!