Member Blogs

Beginning of the last sunset

During the last week of August we usually take our family vacation. But this year we toyed with the idea of saving our money and investing in a summer home by a beach. Our first search led us to our new summer home. It was a luv at first walk-in. Like many luv story, it is a beauty only in the eye of its beholder. The landscape is neglected, composed mostly of overgrown shrubs, grass and poison ivy. In the center of all this overgrown greenery, there is a box of a house which is old and faded brown cedar. This faded brown color adorns the inside of the house as well, in paneling, vinyl tile flooring, cabinets and even the fireplace. But my husband and I luv it. We took our boys and they luv it too. Just to make sure we were not making the decision hastily, we went to see other homes for comparison. However, we can’t stop thinking about the old brown house. So by July we brought our first second home. It was both scary and exciting.

So why did we luv it, despite all its faults? We luv it for the good bone structure of the house, the friendly community feel and, of course, the location. It’s location is superb. There is a winery and golf course (for my husband) near it, along with water park and the aquarium only ten minutes drive for the kids. More important, however, is the fact that it is only about 1000 feet from the sea. In addition I love the drive to our community which is through farms of the old country. When I drive through there, I am transported into the green farmlands, reminiscent of the glory days of America during the sixties, like those seen by Robert Kincaid in the book, “The Bridges of Madison County” by Robert James Waller. Being a city kid, I have only seen those lovely sceneries in movies and stories. The community by our summer home seems unchanged with the times. The homes are mostly bungalows and most people grew up there as kids and everyone is friendly. I can see my three boys right at home in this place, away from busy school schedules or from hectic office and unwind the old fashion way. There are no needs for computers, TV or video games. Chris, my twelve year old, already met kids of his own age and hang out with his buddies. They climb on the rocky beaches, dream about their future and on Sunday mornings, volunteer for beach clean-up. They have fun by tell ghosts stories at night by the ocean. This is a place where I can see a young boy discovering his surroundings and discovering himself along the way. As for my two and half year old, Matt, he discovered sand angles, sand glasses, rock and shell painting and made new friends too. They are older but adore Matt so much and luv to play with him. They take great care when taking him into water or a short boat ride.