Do you have a beach "at home"?

[cooliecanpro]

Are you a beach bum at home, or do you need a vacation to get to a beach?Although more seasonal, I have a perfect beach just a few minutes from home, on the Southern shore of Lake Michigan. I don't leave here in the summer, taking advantage of the warm fresh water for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or just sun tanning on the beach. For vacation, I always seek out a place that has nice seas and a good beach. Spring is a good time to break out of the final winter chills, which helps extend the summer warm season. Getting that dark native look by May is a big plus around here.
Just curious if you have a beach, and need more (like me), or if you use time to find a nice warm sunny beach. Thanks.

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I'm not lucky enough like you do to live only minutes from a beach. I have to drive 35 mins. to the beach town of my choice on the Jersey shore. It's worth the drive as it was today as it was a gorgeous day here.

[badney]

We live about an hour from the Oregon Coast -which is very beautiful, but FREEZING COLD even in the middle of summer! My in-laws have a condo right on the beach and there is a heated pool with views of the surf and beach, and that is usually where I can be found. I think that is why I try to avoid the pool and spend most of my time in the ocean when we are in the Caribbean!

[rob o]

Grew up five minutes from Revere Beach, MA (Kelly's Fried Clams anyone?). Now live in northern RI about 3/4 an hour from the beaches.

Once considered a beach front summer home but decided, instead, to invest in the backyard (pool/hot tub/pool house with kitchen.....) so now enjoy stepping out back and enjoying our own home without traffic. The only thing missing is the salty air and the clam shack.....but we do have littlenecks, steamers and lobsters out back regularly!

Agree with badney (previous post), beach is too cold here too.....save the ocean swimming for Aruba!

[arubamark]

My town has 3 beaches! I visit them regularly but I have my own right in my backyard!

[Shnyda]

I live within 30 minutes (when there is no traffic) of the NJ shore and rarely visit. I can't stand the traffic and the Atlantic ocean just cant compare to the waters of Aruba which we are lucky enough to visit several times a year.

[sunnysmiles]

We live 2 miles from Lake Michigan and take advantage of it all summer long. We also have a family cottage on a smaller lake off of Lake Michigan that we use our Hobie Cat on when we can't get out on the big lake.

There's nothing like a beach vacation in the middle of a Michigan winter! Aruba is perfect for that!

[cooliecanpro]

Thanks. Sounds like beach people have the need to find more beach time. I'm not a big pool person, and it's not the same as getting sand in your toes.

[Chadd]

It's at least a three hour drive to the beach from here. That doesn't stop me from having a beach attitude though.

[mpc111]

@ Rob O....funny you mention Kelly's. My wife and I were talking about going there for dinner some night. She wants the lobster roll though.... I also grew up in that area, 5 minutes further down rt.16.