Friday, January 17, 2014

Lonely Beach

When I was in Panama in the early 1970s I was stationed on the Atlantic end of the canal. The fort was situated on a small finger of land separating the Bay of Colon and the Atlantic Ocean. 
Palm trees grew almost to the water's edge. It was not uncommon to find fresh coconuts right on the beach. I also found seashells as big as my hand.
It was an easy duty station so I got off at three each afternoon. I never had to work weekends unless there was a drill which rarely happened. So I spent a lot of time walking on lonely beaches. 
My first six months in the Army were spent on basic training in Kentucky, and later advanced training in New Jersey just outside of New York City. There were always people around and the drone of traffic was ever present there.
My time in Panama was almost like a silent retreat because I spent a lot of time alone either snorkeling, which is a beautiful silent experience, or walking on the beach alone. 
These days when you go to any beach near here, there's always people around. The winter is better than summer, but neither compare to silent walks on a lonely beach.

16 comments:

  1. Nice!~ To me, Snorkeling in the tropics is sorta like meditating! My experience was GITMO & Key west.

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  2. I love walking on lonely beaches! What a fascinating posting for you!

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  3. Anonymous9:22 AM

    Beaches SHOULD be lonely!!

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    1. I knew I could count you with me Fishducky:)

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  4. I could take a silent beach right now...not because I don't want to see people..I just want to not see my breath in the frozen air! It's nice to have some quiet reflective time in life but I'm imagining as a young man away from home and family that you would have preferred to be around people. Thanks for your service to our country!

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    1. I feel for you guys. I met a guy from Chicago that's spending his summers at the beach. He seemed very happy.

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  5. between the surfers and the runners, the beaches here are busy all the time. And then there is the summer where the beach is obliterated by tents and sun worshipers.

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    1. It's harder to enjoy the ocean with so much company.
      R

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  6. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can find a silent strip of beach, but you're right..not often. Private beaches afford you that luxury, but unfortunately, I can't afford a private beach. You were very lucky back then.

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    1. Very lucky. It was a beautiful place.

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  7. A contented Man (Woman) is one who can spend time in their own thoughts.
    Terrific photo.

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    Replies
    1. I agree.I also wanted to thank you for following and sharing with my wife Jilda.

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