Updated: March 23, 2021
Originally Published: July 25, 2015
The Beach in the ’80s
“Hey, want to hit the beach?”
“Absolutely!”
“I’ll be there in a sec.”
I’d hop into my parents’ trusty Toyota Corolla, ready for adventure. With a couple of Diet Pepsis, Hawaiian Tropic oil (what did I care that I was a brunette?), a few issues of Seventeen magazine, and a boom box, we were set. Total prep time? About ten minutes flat.
The Beach Today
Now, planning a beach day involves a lengthy chain of at least ten texts:
- “How about a beach day?”
- “When?”
- “Wednesday works?”
- “Can’t do Wednesday.”
- “How about Thursday?”
- “Unavailable then too. Friday?”
- “Friday morning is good.”
- “Only free Friday afternoon.”
- “Parking will be a nightmare by then.”
- “What mornings are you free?”
- “Monday works.”
- “Okay, let’s aim for next Monday at 9:00 AM. It’s a plan!”
On the day we finally agree upon, I wake up early to prepare. I fill a cooler brimming with ice packs, refreshing lemonades, juice boxes, slices of watermelon, and grapes. The fruit is my attempt to balance out the vast array of snacks we bring; after all, the beach is all about snacks. I can’t let the kids, especially those growing boys, run low on munchies.
I pack a beach bag filled with salty, sweet, and sweet-and-salty treats. Sandwiches are wrapped in plastic, with extra ones on standby for those that might get “too sandy.” My tween is assigned water-bottle duty, which leads to her rolling her eyes and wandering around in search of water bottles. After a bit of searching, I hand her the very bottles that were right in front of her—she shrugs sheepishly.
Next, I rummage through closets and bags for sunscreen. I gather various types: face sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, spray sunscreen, and lotion sunscreen. Gone are the days of slathering on Hawaiian Tropic oil; now we prioritize sun safety.
I instruct the kids to locate their rash guards, only to hear them declare they don’t want to wear them and can’t find them either. I grab my cover-up and my beloved beach pants—yes, beach pants are a real thing, and I embrace them wholeheartedly.
As I stuff bags, the kids seem to have a knack for unpacking them while asking, “When are we leaving?” After a frantic search, I find hats for everyone. I know the kids will toss theirs aside as soon as we arrive, but hats are essential for sun protection.
Dragging the umbrella out of the garage, I brush off the dust and spider webs. It’s a must-have because, as a “middle-aged” adult, I can’t stand being in the sun for too long.
I put my son in charge of gathering towels. After some time, he emerges with a bag of wadded-up towels. The biggest task now is packing chairs. Gone are the days of lying on a towel in the sand; I need a chair to stay comfortable.
Finally, we gather beach toys: boogie boards, footballs, and pails, among others, because the kids might “get bored” at the beach—a notion I find utterly absurd. And we can’t forget the goggles; nowadays, kids can’t swim without them. Back in my day, we embraced the saltwater sting in our eyes without a second thought.
Before heading out, I grab Band-Aids (someone always ends up with a scrape) and bug spray (the beach bugs are relentless).
Total time from initial planning to departure? Ten days and three hours. I throw a magazine on top of the pile, holding on to the hope that beach days might once again feel like they did in the ’80s.
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Summary:
Reflecting on the differences between beach outings in the ’80s and today reveals how much planning and preparation has changed. From quick trips to the beach filled with carefree fun to meticulously organized outings with a long list of supplies, the beach experience has evolved. Despite the complexities, the joy of a day by the ocean remains timeless.