Please explain east coast beach vacations to me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go to the beach in Maine and spend the time kayaking, surfing, sitting in the beach. Playing games on the beach like bocce ball. Many people kite board when the wind picks up. Look into the coast near Portland. Huge tide and when it’s low the beach is huge and hard packed so you can even ride your bike on it. So much to do. No need to sit around if that’s not your thing.

East coast basher here. I make an exception for Maine.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:^^Do you even know what kudzu is? The fact that you cant appreciate a beautiful walk through the woods is SAD. Never call yourself an outdoor enthusiast again because you're NOT. Also, how many people live right next to Big Sur? most east coasters are a 20 minute drive from a wooded path, but you have to drive hours along the PCH to get to Big Sur.

I like the woods OK. But you’re deluding yourself if you think that’s the same as hiking out west. Where there are also woods btw, but they are majestic redwoods or ancient live oaks, not junk-tree glades by the highway.

There are majestic redwoods in designated state parks that are usually highly protected and you have to drive for hours to be able to reach. I spent a lot of time out west so i know exactly how it is. I'll definitely take an easy drive to a STUNNING tree lined, green glen any day, over driving for hours to see ONE view

ok throw down - where are all these “stunning” forests 20 minuted from
metro DC?

Great Falls, and the historic home of Frederick Douglass, and Monticello, and the views you see kayaking along the Potomac, and Chesapeake views in Maryland, and drive a few hours to hike Old Rag, Luray, Skyline Drive...

I’ve been to every single one of those, and none of them are as spectacular or any more accessible than what you can get to from most places on the West Coast. If you think Great Falls is the equal of Big Sur, well ...

No one said they were equal to this or that. But if you don't think Great Falls is fun and lovely, I feel sorry for you. I can simply walk along the Mall and the monuments at sunset and find the experience to be "stunning." If you can't, I feel sorry for you. If you must compare each and every thing you do with every wonderful thing in the world, no wonder you're never satisfied or fulfilled.

I've eaten at a Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I don't sit down to a lovely meal at a nice DC restaurant and stew because those to things aren't the same experience. What a sad way to live life.

where did I say I didn’t enjoy those things? But yeah in August when it’s 100 degrees and humid, a walk on the mall is out of the question.

Great! More room for me at 6 a.m., or right at dusk. Then again, I'm not fussy. I just enjoy all there is to enjoy in life.

This is pretty typical of west coast “outdoorsy” people — if the outside air temperature and humidity is not basically like a climate controlled a/c room, it is insufferable.

I thought it rained all the time in Oregon/Washington. I'll take sunny but muggy.

There's absolutely no comparison between DC and West Coast when it comes to weather. In many places on the west coast, you can be outdoors year-round, whereas we have months in DC when you could literally die from a heat stroke. It's kind of sad to think that being limited to going out at 6am and dusk are anyone's idea of a city with great access to outdoor activities and nature. I'll say it again - people who live here literally don't know what they are missing.

Huh? I work in downtown DC and walk across campus just fine. Do I go for long runs in the middle of the day? No. But that's kind of a moot point since I have to...ha know, work.

Anyway, everywhere has upsides and downsides. I could just as easily write off Washingon and Oregon as rainy drug havens, but I don't do the black-and-white thinking thing.

I like living here. If you don't, move to Oregon, and enjoy! Like, who cares?

Yes, technically you can walk outside at midday in DC in the summer but it, how do you say, sucks b*lls? I know it's hard to imagine, but there are cities where you can actually enjoy being outside year round. Even NYC is better than DC on that count.

[Anonymous]

Um, people leave the dc heat and humidity behind by heading to nearby lakes, beaches, mountains, etc.

People also hop on planes or set out on road trips each summer.

Overall, I like having 4 real seasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um, people leave the dc heat and humidity behind by heading to nearby lakes, beaches, mountains, etc.

People also hop on planes or set out on road trips each summer.

Overall, I like having 4 real seasons.

And in some cities, you don't have to have a beach house or fly somewhere to be able to enjoy year-round outdoor activities. That's the point. DC may have a lot to recommend it, but access to great outdoor opportunities year-round is not really it. I do appreciate that we have a long temperate season from Feb - June. But the summer is just unbearable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Um, people leave the dc heat and humidity behind by heading to nearby lakes, beaches, mountains, etc.

People also hop on planes or set out on road trips each summer.

Overall, I like having 4 real seasons.

And in some cities, you don't have to have a beach house or fly somewhere to be able to enjoy year-round outdoor activities. That's the point. DC may have a lot to recommend it, but access to great outdoor opportunities year-round is not really it. I do appreciate that we have a long temperate season from Feb - June. But the summer is just unbearable.

And also to just explain more - for people in a truly outdoorsy culture/place, it's not about going on a week-long road trip in the summer, or driving to an equally crowded and humid lake spot in August. It's being in a place where you can hike, bike, or swim after work every day if you want.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What's not to understand? On the east coast people do what you're supposed to do on the beach- play in the water, lay in the hot sun (great for bringing a book), swim, collect shells.

I've never understood west coast beaches where you can only stare out at the water- it's very bizarre and BORING.

Maybe try going to the actual beach and stepping in the water and your basic human instincts will kick in and you'll do what comes naturally! Enjoy.

No that’s actually what I’m saying exactly. I have no interest in spending a day staring at the ocean or even getting in but only in the surf. When we went in my childhood it was to windsurf or kitesurf or boogie board.

Then....don't go to the beach to do that stuff. What is your question exactly??

OP here. If it’s as boring as it seems or if I’m missing something.

Are you as dense as you seem? I think not. For some reason this this kind of question stirs up sh1t and that was your goal.

Yep. Troll.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:^^Do you even know what kudzu is? The fact that you cant appreciate a beautiful walk through the woods is SAD. Never call yourself an outdoor enthusiast again because you're NOT. Also, how many people live right next to Big Sur? most east coasters are a 20 minute drive from a wooded path, but you have to drive hours along the PCH to get to Big Sur.

I like the woods OK. But you’re deluding yourself if you think that’s the same as hiking out west. Where there are also woods btw, but they are majestic redwoods or ancient live oaks, not junk-tree glades by the highway.

There are majestic redwoods in designated state parks that are usually highly protected and you have to drive for hours to be able to reach. I spent a lot of time out west so i know exactly how it is. I'll definitely take an easy drive to a STUNNING tree lined, green glen any day, over driving for hours to see ONE view

ok throw down - where are all these “stunning” forests 20 minuted from
metro DC?

And that is so very amazing.

I prefer DC, where you don’t walk by bags of garbage every 3 feet, but go live wherever you want! Bloom where you’re planted. I enjoy DC.

Great Falls, and the historic home of Frederick Douglass, and Monticello, and the views you see kayaking along the Potomac, and Chesapeake views in Maryland, and drive a few hours to hike Old Rag, Luray, Skyline Drive...

I’ve been to every single one of those, and none of them are as spectacular or any more accessible than what you can get to from most places on the West Coast. If you think Great Falls is the equal of Big Sur, well ...

No one said they were equal to this or that. But if you don't think Great Falls is fun and lovely, I feel sorry for you. I can simply walk along the Mall and the monuments at sunset and find the experience to be "stunning." If you can't, I feel sorry for you. If you must compare each and every thing you do with every wonderful thing in the world, no wonder you're never satisfied or fulfilled.

I've eaten at a Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I don't sit down to a lovely meal at a nice DC restaurant and stew because those to things aren't the same experience. What a sad way to live life.

where did I say I didn’t enjoy those things? But yeah in August when it’s 100 degrees and humid, a walk on the mall is out of the question.

Great! More room for me at 6 a.m., or right at dusk. Then again, I'm not fussy. I just enjoy all there is to enjoy in life.

This is pretty typical of west coast “outdoorsy” people — if the outside air temperature and humidity is not basically like a climate controlled a/c room, it is insufferable.

I thought it rained all the time in Oregon/Washington. I'll take sunny but muggy.

There's absolutely no comparison between DC and West Coast when it comes to weather. In many places on the west coast, you can be outdoors year-round, whereas we have months in DC when you could literally die from a heat stroke. It's kind of sad to think that being limited to going out at 6am and dusk are anyone's idea of a city with great access to outdoor activities and nature. I'll say it again - people who live here literally don't know what they are missing.

Huh? I work in downtown DC and walk across campus just fine. Do I go for long runs in the middle of the day? No. But that's kind of a moot point since I have to...ha know, work.

Anyway, everywhere has upsides and downsides. I could just as easily write off Washingon and Oregon as rainy drug havens, but I don't do the black-and-white thinking thing.

I like living here. If you don't, move to Oregon, and enjoy! Like, who cares?

Yes, technically you can walk outside at midday in DC in the summer but it, how do you say, sucks b*lls? I know it's hard to imagine, but there are cities where you can actually enjoy being outside year round. Even NYC is better than DC on that count.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m a bad west coaster (CA), but I did the whole lay on a beach and go in the water to cool off thing on the west coast too.

Same. I grew up near Malibu and hanging out at the beach is definitely a thing, you just have to brace yourself before going into the freezing water LOL.

[Anonymous]

It's weird to me that not a single person has pointed out the obvious unifying feature: the actual ocean! The sounds of the ocean are relaxing. The smell of sea air is invigorating. It has a rhythm and a majesty to it that has attracted humans since the dawn of time. We are drawn to it for a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m a bad west coaster (CA), but I did the whole lay on a beach and go in the water to cool off thing on the west coast too.

Same. I grew up near Malibu and hanging out at the beach is definitely a thing, you just have to brace yourself before going into the freezing water LOL.

Another west coaster here who grew up sitting on the beach and psyching myself up to go into the freezing water! At my parents' place near the beach I read, kayak, walk, and jump in the water when it gets too hot. When I go to FL it's... the exact same, except you get too hot more often and the water is warmer.

I didn't realize it was different?

[Anonymous]

Beach vacations are OK for a 3 day weekend not a full. It's just so boring. Sitting in the sun, drinking too much, nothing to do but throwing a ball or frisbee. Biting flies, sunburn, shopping at tacky stores. It's solo overrated. But some people like it so much they will pay $300-$400 a night to stay at a beach hotel and do nothing except age their skin in the sun and booze up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beach vacations are OK for a 3 day weekend not a full. It's just so boring. Sitting in the sun, drinking too much, nothing to do but throwing a ball or frisbee. Biting flies, sunburn, shopping at tacky stores. It's solo overrated. But some people like it so much they will pay $300-$400 a night to stay at a beach hotel and do nothing except age their skin in the sun and booze up.

Beach hotel?! Never. House or not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's weird to me that not a single person has pointed out the obvious unifying feature: the actual ocean! The sounds of the ocean are relaxing. The smell of sea air is invigorating. It has a rhythm and a majesty to it that has attracted humans since the dawn of time. We are drawn to it for a reason.

The ocean looks great but I don't want to sit in the sun look at it for a week. BORING!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I’m a bad west coaster (CA), but I did the whole lay on a beach and go in the water to cool off thing on the west coast too.

Same. I grew up near Malibu and hanging out at the beach is definitely a thing, you just have to brace yourself before going into the freezing water LOL.

Another west coaster here who grew up sitting on the beach and psyching myself up to go into the freezing water! At my parents' place near the beach I read, kayak, walk, and jump in the water when it gets too hot. When I go to FL it's... the exact same, except you get too hot more often and the water is warmer.

I didn't realize it was different?

Malibu PP here, the main difference that struck me when we visited Delaware when I was a teenager is that there is so much more to do at the beach in Delaware (outside of the water) -- boardwalk, lots of places to eat, mini golf, etc. Malibu is just the beach and not much else. I couldn't imagine making a vacation week out of going there (we lived 20 minutes away so it was just a day trip a few times throughout the summer). But then I married a guy who HATES the beach so we don't often go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's weird to me that not a single person has pointed out the obvious unifying feature: the actual ocean! The sounds of the ocean are relaxing. The smell of sea air is invigorating. It has a rhythm and a majesty to it that has attracted humans since the dawn of time. We are drawn to it for a reason.

The ocean looks great but I don't want to sit in the sun look at it for a week. BORING!

Why are you sitting and looking? Do you not know how to swim, boogie board, kayak, run, walk, look for shells, build sandcastles, fly a kite, read a book, read a magazine, talk, explore a tide pool, or eat an ice cream cone?