Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Relaxation and Clarity

There is something so soothing about lying on a beach in the hot sun while listening to the waves crashing on the shore. The smell and feel of the salt water in the air only heightens the soothing quality of the beach. It is the perfect spot to let go of all the stress and burdens of life. It is also the perfect spot for inspiration to strike and those creative juices to start flowing.

This past week Grant and I did just that: we went camping at the beach, Assateague Island to be exact. We camped under the starts, enjoyed food cooked over the fire, and relaxed. Yes you heard me correctly: I actually relaxed. My mind was free of all the work, bills, school projects, and anything else that stressed me out. My body was able to finally let itself completely relax and enjoy the sun and sand. Though it enjoyed it a little too much as I got pretty burned on this trip.

We spent a lot of the trip just walking on the beach, exploring the trails on the island, and enjoying the beauty of the horses around us. For those of you who don't know Assateague Island is just West of Ocean City Maryland and is known for the horses the fill its beaches. It is 37 miles long and two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the other third is in Virginia. The Maryland section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The Virginia section contains the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge where the horses swim from. Some of you might have read Misty of Chincoteague when you were younger; these are the islands the book takes place on. In the picture below you can see the horses walking across the beach.

Now that I am back from vacation I have that new found clarity to get all my work done. I still have a two week break before I start my next class so I will fill my free time with working on the edits to Summer's Hollow as well as doing a lot of reading. So far it is going swimmingly and I hope to have it done by the end of the Summer (maybe sooner but I don't want to fall into the same trap as last time). In fact while on the beach we even burned the few print copies of the problematic draft (which I refer to it as) and it was extremely liberating.

So now I ask you: What place allows you to relax and provides you with clarity?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Are the horses wild? That is so neat! Totally gorgeous.

Sorry you got burned, but I am so glad that you were able to just kick back and relax! I know how rare that is.

I am glad you are back though, I missed you! <3

Sam Curtin said...

Yes, they are wild! Nothing like waking up and having a wild horse staring at you through the mesh in your tent! lol :)

Anonymous said...

The cure for anything is a saltwater. So glad the sea rejuvenated you. I've always wanted to go to Assateague, but haven't made it there yet. I read my copy of Misty until it fell apart. I look forward to doing the same with your book when you have perfected it.

Sam Curtin said...

It was one of my favorite books growing up. When you have the chance you should really go! And thanks! :)

Fox and Dragon said...

I have always wanted to go and see those islands and the horses; I read the book and thought the idea of wild horses thriving on those islands in spite of weather and humans and everything else to be amazing.

I love the beach, even though I lived in a FL beach town for over 8 years and got sick of it, I still loved going to the beach and sticking my toes in sand and salty water. I always felt better about life after I did.

Here's hoping that clarity sticks with you for as long as you need it.
-Fox

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