I have a confession.
I’ve been sneaking out of the house and going to the beach during the pandemic. Apparently, I’m not alone, as I have encountered many others with the same idea.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been working from home since March 11 or the weather is starting to turn in the right direction. Either way, like most of you, I just need to get out once and a while.
I’ve been visiting Jones Beach (Fields 2 and 6) and finding a secluded spot in the parking lots. Once settled, I take out my tail-gating chair and relax in the sun with a nice cigar. Sometimes I’ll bring a book to read, other times a newspaper and do the crossword puzzle. Of course, I can do the same thing in my back yard. For some reason, I just needed to do this someplace else.
My wife has joined me on occasion, allowing us to have lunch in the car. With protective masks, we’ve walked on the boardwalk for exercise. Young, old or families with children, people are starting to come out in the fresh air. For the most part, they are doing it safely.
My wife and I recently visited TOBAY beach. It’s the first time I had been on the beachside in many years. I’ve been to the restaurants many times, but not to the beach itself. Man, have things changed.
Setting our chairs up on the open deck area, we spent the late afternoon gazing into the ocean. There were plenty of signs suggesting you stay at least six feet from each other and people were adhering to the guidelines. Most were wearing masks, some had on gloves. Everyone was avoiding physical closeness.
I bought a soda and a couple of watermelon fruit-ice bars from the concession stand. Dare I say that for the first time in a long time, things seem to be returning to some form of normalcy. Except, there were markers on the ground to indicate where each person on the line should stand, reminding you to maintain the recommended distancing.
Who knew the “Good ole days” would be just a few months ago?
Paul DiSclafani, a Massapequa resident, is a 2018 Press Club of Long Island award-winning columnist and an Anton Media Group contributor since 2016.
