In Honor of World Ocean's Day

Hi Friends!  We're baaack!!!  I had such a wonderful time going to the beach with my husband for a quick three night getaway.  For the first time in years it was just the two of us and we did exactly what we love to do all day at the beach...nothing!

I wasn't sure how I was going to tie this post in with World Oceans Day that fell on June 8th.  However, after reading some of Rhonda's guidelines I knew that I would be able to join in and was so excited that we were actually going to be at the beach during this time.  Although, this post isn't about the very important issue of how to protect our beaches it is all about celebrating how we enjoy our beaches.  So, if you think about it though, you cannot have one without the other.

So for the rest of this post I want to you to play a game with me.  It's called imagine what if.

Okay?

Imagine if there were no more large expanses of beach's.

That stretched out for miles and miles on end.

Imagine no piers to walk out over the ocean early in the morning to enjoy hours of fishing, or just your own quiet thoughts.

Imagine not being able to enjoy cargo ships from afar.

As they travel to and from ports.

 Bringing us many wonderful goods from all over the world.

Imagine never getting a glimpse of the beautiful sea corals that drifts up on the beach.

Or never seeing a jellyfish up close.  They really are beautiful translucent creatures! 

 We had been warned that Portuguese man of war jelly fish were prevalent this season in our beaches and to be on the look out for them.  They have very long tentacles so I'm not sure this was one, but am glad I did not meet him in the ocean.

Isle of Palms has preserved wonderful expanses of sand dunes to keep down the natural erosion of the sea.

Imagine never seeing the beauty of a sand dune.

Or the sea grasses that grow and blow in the breeze.

Imagine never walking on a sandy boardwalk that stretches across a dune.

Keeping us safe above creatures in the wild.  This was the first time I and my husband have ever seen a snake at the beach.  Uueww! And to think, I used to play in the dunes all the time as a child.

Imagine never being able to see a wind surfer go sailing by.

Here at IOP, they are required to stay 200 ft off the shoreline away from swimmers.

Imagine not being able to enjoy the beauty of flying a kite.

Against the strong ocean breezes.

Imagine no volley ball on the beach.

Where local parents can gather,

to watch their daughters compete.

In sponsored tournaments.  How cool was that?

Imagine this yoga class never getting to experience the tranquility connection with the ocean.  Well, I'm assuming that's what they did. LOL!  I don't do yoga so I'm guessing here.  Still pretty cool!

Imagine never being able to sink your toes in the sand.

Or never being able to enjoy the relaxing sounds of the shore and the refreshing breeze.

Imagine not having a place for a man...

...and a woman...

to enjoy a time away alone.

Or to be able to enjoy and appreciate all the beauty of God's creation!

I am so thankful for all those who research and remind us all of our responsibilty towards the sea.  We have so much to enjoy and be grateful for.  Being mindful of our world and all those who share it with us is so very important.  

We are so blessed to live only 2.5 hours away from the ocean.  Although we don't get down to beach as often as we'd like, I am glad there are still beaches in SC as beautiful as the Isle of Palms in Charleston.  Unfortunately as many beaches grow in popularity they become more commercialized and change.  The low country of SC has done an excellent job in preserving many of our beach areas in my opinion.  I will be back next week with a post showing you where we stayed.  It wasn't a swanky resort and didn't cost us a fortune either.  We had excellent service and I just loved this little hotel. 

Be sure and visit again if your interested.

Thanks for joining me today for this very special post...

...from the shores of sunny South Carolina! 

 Make that the very, very breezy shores of  sunny South Carolina!

LOL! 

Be sure and check out all the other fantastic posts at

World Oceans Day from

Shellbelle's Tiki Hut.

Have a great weekend!

Mary