Belmar Beach

There's nothing like the sound and smell of the ocean to calm one down. Is it because this was once our home? It was a lovely day to go to the beach. Belmar is just north of Spring Lake Beach in New Jersey and a pleasant one as well. I was able to find an affordable, shabby but clean and perfect inn just a few houses up the block from the beach. It was still considered early in the season, so no beach badges were required. The lifeguards and kids manning the restaurants were just getting out of college for the summer ad it wasn't too crowded. I was just a few days early to get the flounder sandwich I craved from the Spring Lake beach pavilion, but Jean Louise's chocolate shoppe is open all year long, so I remained in high spirits with my consolation prize, a box of mixed truffles and a small bag of dark chocolate sea salt caramels. I walked up and down the water's edge both days, just quietly splashing in the surf. 

This old hotel always evokes images of a grander time when the balconies nearly spilled over with folks dressed to the nines and laughing over champagne.  The origin of the phrase "dressed to the nines", first appearing in the eighteenth century is uncertain, but possibly came from Scotland where "to the nines' was a common expression for perfection. Which only poses another question.

Isn't this fish beautiful? Sorry, the sun was high and bright in a cloudless sky and I couldn't get a good angle without the shadow. The gold markings were absolutely iridescent. A fisherman I talked with poked at it, noting no obstructions in the gills and saying that this species can grow to fifteen feet or so. Though I was quite certain at the time that I'd remember what type of fish it was, I forgot. Perhaps you know. I include it as just another creation over which to marvel.