A beach weekend

Gracie mentions to Paxton in calm voice, “It is getting late, I need to go find a spot for Gunner and me to camp for the night. Thank you for dinner, it was wonderful.”

“You’re welcome, so you’ll be around at the beach for the weekend?” Paxton inquires.

“Yes, I plan to.”  The woman casually responds to Paxton as she opens the door for the dog to climb in, “let’s go Gunner.” 

“Ok, maybe, I’ll see you around then.” The man says, with a hopeful tone.

“Ok, have a good one.” Gracie says with a smile that reaches her eyes.

   Paxton sits there with Delilah petting her as Gracie gets in her van and drives off. He sees her wave happily as she and Gunner depart.

The dark sandy road ahead, uneven terrain lays out a bumpy ride. Reduced visibility causes Gracie to strain her green amber eyes whilst navigating from White Beach. Turning right down a paved road, covered in sand slowing her speed, the tires rumble over the gritty road. There it is, the camping zone. Tents and RV’s fill the darkened area, only lit by a few lights and RVs or vehicles passing by, stirring up sand. The moon hangs high and stars sprinkle the midnight black sky.

 

         After locking the van, showering and putting up window coverings, Gracie melts into her bed. Unwinding, a long sigh escapes her lungs, bringing her mind to rest in her sanctuary with Gunner at her side.

                                   

 

                        Chapter Two

Gracie awakens to a whining dog. In her van, she lays, opening her eyes to see her German Shepard, tilting his head, awaiting the outdoors. Feeling restful, she rises up, glances around her camper van. White washed wood panels, the metal wall, with a door between the living space and drivers seat, is painted a light blue. A window on the left side, she props it open, listening to ocean waves roaring, smelling the salty air. 

“Gunner, we will go outside in a minute.”  His ears perk up, and nods his head as if he understands.

Outside, she marvels in the beautiful seaside sunrise. Beyond the sandy beach, out to the sea, where the water meets the sky, the sun sits peeking above the ocean, casting a warm glow on Gracie’s face. The water is deep blue, white clouds rest in the sky surrounding the sun. Little bird tracks are imprinted in the moist sand, along with Gunner’s paw print. The pleasantries in nature often captivate Gracie’s attention. Always taking a moment to marvel and appreciate, to find peace, solitude, and tranquility. Running along the beach, her dog by her side, Gracie’s bare feet hit the sand with each step. Ocean waves trickle, to paws and feet becoming wet with each wave. Gunner’s tri-colored coat becomes moisten by the sea. Whitish grey seagulls fly about, singing and cawing to one another.

A mile and a half, has been covered, bare feet in the sand, squishing between toes. Not quite scorching yet, still cool. A cool salty breeze envelopes Gracie.

Which is better running in the sand barefoot or with shoes filled with sand.

“Gunner, come this way.” Gracie motions to her faithful companion running along, by her side, following her lead. Softened whiskey eyes momentarily lock on hers, before turning his furry body around. Gunner trots along at the shoreline, like he has a new lease on life, a bit of strut yet playful, while gazing at his owner. Checking with her, ensuring this is the way to go. Wherever she goes. His eyes glance between Gracie and the beach, as if he is marveling, taking it in. The rushing dark blue waves, which turn white, where it meets the sand. The morning warm sun lights the misty way ahead. Back to her high roof sprinter van, her studio on wheels at the coast.  

  Gunner crunches his food between his teeth, while Gracie sports a teal swimsuit with a cream colored lacey cover up, chewing daintily on spinach and egg whites. Then, sips on her morning coffee; a pumpkin mocha, savoring the flavor, breathing in its aroma, of Autumn in a cup, mixed with salty air.  She marvels at the sea while reading a book, sitting in a foldable chair, under a shaded canopy. Her golden brown waves are gently nudged by the breeze. Hours pass on this peaceful morning, and before she knows it, lunch time has arrived. The joy of watching waves while reading all morning has given Gracie a satisfied mood. Savoring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and carrots, Gracie prepares to let Gunner strut along the beach some more.

Gracie sees some old friends playing volleyball. They invite her to join. “Gunner stay,” she says firmly. Joining the game, Gracie stands wide, nearly squatting, bracing herself, then repositions. Her feet are lined up, her arm swings back, and her fist hits the ball. The white lined volleyball flies over the net. As the ball comes back towards her, she smacks it, soaring it over the net. Her team gains a point, she serves again. Gracie focuses intently on the ball, while glancing over at Gunner occasionally. The other team scores. All the women jump for joy, on the other side of the net and give high fives. Gracie’s team is still in the lead.  After tossing the ball back and forth a few times, Gracie’s side wins. “ Hey, do y’all want to come hang for a bit. I’m over there at that canopy and white van.”  The women glance at each other and nod their heads, agreeing. 

Gracie, her friends and Gunner make their way to her area.  The woman have wine, watch the ocean waves and catch up by chit chatting and laughing. They spend the remainder of the afternoon with Gracie. Her friends bring some food over to cook with. They have skewers of steak, shrimp and veggies, as well as dishes of sweet potatoes, cucumber salad, and fruit salad. Gracie brings out some whole grain tortilla chips with peach salsa. The ladies indulge together and reminisce about college days. As darkness settles in, stars cover the sky. Then the ladies head off back to their campsites, leaving Gracie happily to herself. She puts her sun canopy away and climbs into the van with Gunner.

 

    Gracie awakens on Sunday morning with Gunner and takes him out for a walk. Paxton is running shirtless along the beach with Delilah. His tanned muscular physique with red tones catches Gracie’s eye. He stops to greet the woman and invites them alone for the run. Gunner playfully interacts with Delilah by wrestling with her and nuzzling her face. Silly dogs.  “So, you like running?” asks Gracie.

 “It is an enjoyable activity. Delilah certainly does.” Replies Paxton.  “The beach is nice, isn’t it?”

Gracie agrees, “I love the beach! I can spend hours watching the waves.”

“So, what are your plans for the day?” asks Paxton.

“Hmm, Gunner and I are just going to hang out at the beach until sunset I suppose, and you?” Gracie replies assertively with a smile.

“I have a similar agenda,” Paxton smiles at Gracie, his red hair and beard are rather vibrant against the sunlight. “Do you want company?” He asks.

“Sure,” Grace happily responds.

As they approach Gracie’s van, “I am going to bring my car over here.” He shouts to her.

   “Ok, see you soon.” Gracie’s shouts. Once he returns, she decides to make omelet’s from egg whites, low fat cheese, mushrooms, spinach, diced tomatoes, green peppers, and chicken. She also brings out some salsa, and the water pitcher with mint leaves and lemon slices. Paxton happily enjoys his breakfast made by Gracie. Delilah and Gunner play together, while their owners eat and hydrate.

  “So, what do you do for a living? Gracie asks Paxton.

Paxton glances over at Gracie, blue sunglasses are covering his eyes, spotless teeth show as a smile spreads across the man’s face, and his red beard glistens in the sun almost like red glitter. Paxton responds with, “I’m in real estate and carpentry. I also like to do home remodeling.”

Gracie presents a dazzling smile, “oh how fun, do you enjoy all of that.”

“Yes ma’am, I sure do.” Paxton thinks to himself and then recalls what Gracie does for a living.  “You have a travel blog, right? Do you enjoy that?”

“It has been an adventure, I have seen so many places!” Gracie thinks about her travels showing a pleasurable expression on her face, her eyes light up, her face becomes radiant, “I’m thinking of learning different skills so I can switch gears out of traveling, perhaps furniture design, or art. I have an art degree and enjoy painting.”

“Furniture design, that is up my alley. Wood working is cool, I like doing that. So, does that mean you want to build furniture or design it and have someone else build it? It is nice to have skills you enjoy doing that also make money.”

“Yes, I want to learn woodworking and build it myself.” Gracie replies with a smile. “So you are in real estate, I’m looking for a vacation property on the outskirts of my home town. Just to come and go to. I enjoy big cities but prefer rural living. Do you know of any properties that you could show me.” 

 “Ok, sure I’ll check on some next week, in fact let me give you my card, so you can contact me as well.” Paxton walks over to his car, he is wearing a light blue surf shirt, dark green swim trunks, his red haired legs flex and contract as he walks as his bare feet sink in the sand. She watches him quickly stroll to his car admiring his build, slender yet muscular legs and built upper body. She is definitely attracted to the guy. The man returns and hands her his card. “Can I get your number as well so I can follow up with you?”

“Ok sure,” Gracie tells him her number, and he plugs it into his phone.

“Well, I will look forward to showing you some properties. Are you looking for one with a house or one you can park your van on? They have properties you can come and go to with your van.” Paxton asks.

“I am glad you asked, I’m thinking one I can park my van on for now and later building a lake house.” Gracie mentions in a ladylike tone.

“Ok sounds good. I have some in mind. So how do you want to spend the rest of the day?” Paxton asks, casually.

“Wonderful, hmm I am not sure, once breakfast has settled maybe walk or something, but for now I think I will just marvel at the waves.” Gracie speaks with uncertainty.

Gracie and Paxton spend time marveling at the waves, under her sun canopy, sitting in their beach chairs, talking about their interests and hobbies, while the dogs nap near them.

Lunch time approaches, Paxton asks Gracie if she would like to go out to eat. But she says she does not want to leave the beach until sunset. “Would you like tacos or something else for lunch?” 

“Yes, tacos sound great! I have some Tilapia and tortillas, we can make fish tacos.”  Gracie mentions enthusiastically.

“Ok that will work, do we need any sides?” asks Paxton.

“Well, I have spinach, but that’s about it,” Gracie said with a giggle.

“Ok I'm going to run to the store, I’ll be back shortly.”  Paxton calls to Delilah, he opens the door for the dog to get in and then gets in his car. He drives a new silver model, Mustang. Gracie soaks in the serenity of the beach as Paxton departs, enjoying time to herself with dog. She decides to do some yoga before lunch while Paxton is away. He seems to be taking a while. About an hour has passed. Gracie resumes watching the waves and smiles as she thinks of making a sand sculpture. She gets down on the sand and begins making a few starfish, then a marlin. While the artsy lady makes her sand art, Paxton returns. Gracie has not started cooking the tacos yet. Paxton sees the sculptures and smiles.

“Well that looks like fun, those are really good! We went to a store further away, so Delilah and I took longer. I will cook so you can keep working on your art there.” Paxton says scoping out Gracie’s sand art, he shows an impressed look on his face. Delilah trots over to play with Gunner. Gracie continues to make her sea life in the sand and occasionally marveling at the waves. There are kids off in the distance playing and laughing. People are walking along the beach.  Before she knows it, Paxton has finished making lunch. The woman completes her marlin and starfish. She gets up and washes her hands in her van. When Gracie steps out of her van, she is holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. She turns to Paxton and asks if he wants some. He glances over smiles and agrees, “just one glass for me. What do you think about kayaking or riding a jet ski?”

Gracie looks around and thinks about it, “A jet ski would be fun, but I would prefer riding on a lake. We can kayak!”

   Paxton has two kayaks delivered to their spot about an hour after they are done eating lunch. He recalled that Gracie did not want to leave the beach until sunset.  They put the dogs on a tie out so Gunner and Delilah can play in the water while the pair kayak. Gracie and Paxton set up the kayaks at the shore with life jackets. Gracie stepped in and put the skirt over the kayak seat to prevent water from getting in. They row over the waves, as the sun beats down on them. Gracie rolls her kayak as the current forces her kayak sideways, and she returns upright. She looks over at Paxton as he is glancing at her with concern. “Are you an experienced kayaker?” The red haired man asks.

  “Sort of! I have kayaked in the sea a few times!” Gracie said with a smile. They continue to paddle through the waves while watching the dogs as well. The dogs are jumping around in the waves near the shore not too far from the two owners. After an hour of paddling around just beyond the shore into the waves, Gracie chooses to take a break. Paxton continues to kayak over waves, while practicing turning and rolling his kayak. Gracie thinks to herself, he must have done this before. The woman continues to watch her new acquaintance have fun as she also marvels at the scene. Paxton returns with his kayak. Water droplets bead off his tan red toned skin as he grabs a towel to dry off. He enthusiastically smiles at Gracie, “Did you have fun?”

   “Absolutely, thank you for that! It is a rush, is it not? I love kayaking.” Gracie says grinning ear to ear while thinking of being in the water. The waves approach the kayak causing her to work harder to propel over them, rather refreshing.

  “I feel cleansed by the sea! I could never get tired of watching the waves, the atmosphere of being at the beach is quite lovely. There’s plenty of people minding their own keeping to their groups, yet it feels secluded from the world.” Gracie says to Paxton.

 The kayaks get picked up. As afternoon turns to evening, the sky turns shades of orange and pink. Gracie begins to pack up her things to prepare for departure.

  “Are you preparing to leave? Do you want any help?” Paxton concentrates on Gracie with concern and empathy.

“Oh, it is fine I can get it all. I’m glad we met, it has been nice spending time with you.” Gracie replies stubbornly and kindly.

“Ok, I agree. I look forward to getting to know you more. I’m going to head back home. I follow up with you later this week on the vacation properties you want to see.” Paxton responds with a warm smile.