Hundred degree temps in Connecticut made me long for the escape of the place that was sure to cool me off. The luscious lure of Rhode Island beaches. Not just any beach, but East Beach. Right off route 1 and just a ways past the whole Misquamicut menagerie is the piece de resistance of Rhode Island sun and sand.

After feeling lucky that the lot had a parking spot with my name on it, I unpacked my “equipment”. The necessary gear included a beach chair, blanket, umbrella, kite, miniature cooler with the requisite bottled water, and tote bag. My bag was filled with sunscreen, hat, summer novel, reading glasses, journal, writing utensils, a snack, Kleenex and keys. I loaded my arms and headed toward the route that leads to the water. The path, flanked on both sides by small dunes and waving sea grass was an invitation.

Weighed down as I was with a weeks worth of summer gear for an afternoon stint in the sun, I wondered about this beach going ritual. A ritual that is as essential as my sunscreen. After assessing the available space, I located the perfect spot, staked a claim to my territory and set up “camp”.

From there the fun began.

One of the best things about a day at East Beach is people watching. And every beach, no matter where you go, provides exemplary opportunities for witnessing the diversity of our glorious human race. Some of my favorite sightings are, when I see a woman with a less than perfect body strutting her stuff along the shore in her bathing suit of choice. “You go Girl.” Or the naked wee ones running around hopefully protected with at least an SPF 65 sun block. Or the out of shape Father trying to play ball with their 8 year old son.

These are the inspiring sights we can appreciate in addition to the perfectly tanned bodies straight out of the j.crew catalog. These are the real bodies that find permission to be set free amid the ocean’s roar. It is this environment that allows us the freedom to just relax and be ourselves. There is something about being at the ocean’s shore that invites us to release our inhibitions and set our inner and sometimes outer, spirits free.

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One very free event during this trip gave even my freedom seeking spirit cause to reflect. As I sat in my chair people watching, breathing in the salt air, listening to the waves greet the shore, a handsome, middle aged man walked up to me.

With both hands on his hips, standing tall, he looked around as if taking in the whole scenario. Miles of busy beach life as far as the eye could see. He said to me, “I thought this was a nude beach.”

After finding myself momentarily speechless, I responded, “Mmmm, no… I don’t think so.” And off he went…in search no doubt, for even freer space.

Patricia Ann Chaffee is a Freelance Writer and life long New Englander. She regularly seeks out places to be free near the ocean. She can be reached at Rainbowmoon1013@yahoo.com

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