No, I haven’t changed my name.
No, I haven’t stolen someone else’s ‘Outdoor Observations’ writing piece.
What I have done, is absolutely steal the title from the 60s TV show ‘Gidget’ with Sally Fields (Francis Lawrence was Gidget’s real name).
I don’t know if ‘Outdoor Observations’ is still something kids learn in school (as I haven’t been there for quite some time myself), but I found myself at the Beach the other day and couldn’t resist – as the writer I am – to pen down the things that I saw while I was there. My overarching opinion (As you can see from my opening line) is that ‘Adventure is out there’ (Again stolen, this time from the Disney movie ‘Up’).
So, without further ado…
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“Adventure Is Out There”
That quote from ‘Up’ is more possible than people (myself included) give it credit for.
I’m sitting on the sand at the pier, watching. It’s Saturday, so people are here, enjoying the Spring sunshine.
A guy rolled past me on what looked like a skateboard cross tire (Which was partially electronic*).
A dog with the tallest legs I have ever seen walked with it’s owner and best fried, the shortest dog i’ve ever seen.
Two girls have been splashing in the shallow water for the last 10 minutes, fully clothed and wearing jean jackets, just enjoying life. A man (who I assume was their Dad) was standing on the pier, and called out to them, camera at the ready. When they saw him, they jumped into ‘photo mode’ and spread out their arms, smiling and jumping up and down.
A dog at looks like Murray (From Mad About You**) is playing catch, with a little boy who happened to pick up his tennis ball. The dog leaps into the air, attempting to catch it in his mouth.
A mother sits with her 1 year old child and puppy, watching the waves like me.
And, even as I write, another little boy has been climbing up and down the rocks behind me.
The puppy and little boy from before are rolling on the sand, playing. The puppy digs in the sand for treasure, and barks at the waves.
A bride walks underneath the pier, pink flowers on her dress. Real or posed photoshoot, it doesn’t matter.
A family of three opens a pack of fish and chips to enjoy as they listen to the crashing waves and chat about their week.
Adventure is out here for all of them.
Even I, as the spectator, have engaged in adventure, just by being here.
I have my villain too, even now – I don’t trust the seagulls overhead not to let loose their lunch on me, or swarm in an attempt to find food. The sun is also an enemy, as I forgot the sunscreen, but hopefully it won’t look too bad in the end.
A piggy back along the pier, father and daughter. Creating a sand castle and leaving it for others to find. Brushing the sand from your grandsons shoes and pants.
Adventure, or the idea of Adventure, is what you see when you put on your perception lens every day.
Does it have to be climbing the highest mountain, or zip lining through a forest?
Or can it be exploring the sand for shells, or digging for buried coins?”
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What’s your Adventure?
Christy G
*I have since discovered these amazing machines are called Onboard Electric Skateboards. Check those out if you’re interested!
**Mad About You – for everyone born after the year 2001 – was a great show with Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt who played newlyweds Paul and Jamie. Their beautiful dog Murry was a Collie Mix (Orange) – Check him out, because he is adorable!
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