A Nostalgic Trip to the Beach in the ’80s
“Want to hit the beach?”
“Absolutely!”
“I’ll be there in a sec.”
In my parents’ trusty Toyota Corolla, I would pick up my friend. We’d toss in a couple of Diet Pepsis, a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic oil, some teen magazines, and a boom box, ready for a fun day. Planning was quick and simple—only a ten-minute prep!
The Beach Experience Now
Fast forward to today, and planning a beach outing requires a lengthy thread of text messages:
“Should we plan a beach day?”
“When?”
“How about next Wednesday?”
“Can’t do that. Thursday?”
“I’m busy. Let’s aim for Friday.”
“Only Friday afternoon works.”
“Okay, but parking will be a nightmare.”
“What mornings are free?”
“Monday works.”
“Perfect! 9:00 it is!”
On the morning of our beach day, I rise early to prepare. I fill a cooler with ice packs, juices, and fresh fruit—watermelon and grapes—to balance out the inevitable snacks. Snacks are crucial for keeping tweens and growing boys happy. I pack a beach bag filled with salty, sweet, and sweet-salty treats.
I meticulously wrap sandwiches in plastic, even packing extras for those that might become “too sandy.” I assign my teen daughter the task of filling water bottles, to which she groans, claiming she can’t find any. I point out the water bottles right in front of her, and she sheepishly shrugs.
Next, I prepare a gallon jug of ice water, as we now understand the importance of hydration over simply sipping lukewarm Diet Pepsi under the sun.
Sunscreen is a major focus of my search. I rummage through closets and bags to find various types of sunscreen: face, lip, spray, and lotion. The days of Hawaiian Tropic oil are long gone; we now prioritize skin protection over attracting the sun.
I remind the kids to locate their rash guards, prompting complaints about wearing them and claims of missing items. I grab my cover-up and beach pants (yes, they exist, and I admit I adore them).
While I organize our gear, the kids dig through the bags, impatiently asking, “When are we leaving?” After much searching, I finally locate hats for everyone. Despite knowing they’ll likely toss them aside upon arrival, I still pack them.
I retrieve the beach umbrella, dusting off the cobwebs. Given that I’m now “middle-aged,” I can’t tolerate direct sun exposure for too long.
I assign my son the task of gathering towels, but after 20 minutes, he presents me with a crumpled bag of towels. The most significant addition to our beach gear is the chairs—lying on a towel in the sand is no longer an option for me, as I can’t bear the heat.
Finally, we gather beach toys: boogie boards, footballs, and nets, as kids today often claim they get bored at the beach, which is quite the shocker. And, of course, we can’t forget the goggles—kids today insist on them for swimming, unlike our carefree days of splashing around without a care.
Before stepping out, I grab Band-Aids (someone always gets a scrape at the beach) and bug spray (because pesky insects are inevitable). From the initial text planning to our actual departure? A solid ten days and three hours.
In a wistful moment, I toss a magazine atop the pile, hoping beach days can rekindle the carefree essence of the ’80s.
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Summary
This article reflects on the contrast between beach outings in the ’80s and today, highlighting how planning, preparation, and expectations have changed over the years. The simplicity of spontaneous beach trips has evolved into a structured effort involving various logistics and necessities, showcasing the differences in parenting and leisure activities over time.