A Week of Relaxation

As I drive over the Wright Brothers Memorial Bridge, my excitement builds. I’m almost there ­ a cottage nestled in the sandy beach of Nags Head, N.C. Not even fifty yards from the ocean, it is closer to the water than any of the other cottages on the island. This is my favorite place to be. I enjoy a week of peace and splendor every summer.


During my week, every morning I head straight for the back deck, plop down in my lawn chair, and prop my feet up on the railing. The air smells fresh and clean, yet salty. Warm, but it still has a cool freshness about it. I can finally relax. There aren’t a lot of people on the beach, just the people staying in the other cottages. Children are playing in the sand or searching for seashells. Couples stroll by. I’m surrounded by an air of peacefulness, of happiness, and of serenity. I watch as the bird’s dive for fish, and the dolphins glisten in the sunlight as they swim back and forth ­ seeming to stay right in front of the cottage just for my enjoyment.


Nighttime here is the most peaceful. The stars reflect off of the ocean, and all you can here is the sound of the waves crashing. Even inside the cottage, you can still hear the smooth lullaby of the ocean.


My mind is relaxed when I’m here. It clears my head and reminds me of how beautiful the world is.   My troubles seem to drift away in the ocean breeze. In all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the really important things are easily forgotten. Being here is not just a vacation; it brings me back to reality.