Dreaming of Cocoa Beach

Wish You (and We) Were Here

Looking down along the shoreline at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, Florida, as seen during our 2019 Florida Summer Vacation.

As I imagine many people would say right now, I am dreaming of being at the beach. Or just about anywhere. Not just Cocoa Beach. Because there is something about being told you can’t go somewhere that makes you want to go there even more. I am sure there is some psychology in there somewhere, but psychology is over my engineering head.

You have probably already realized this if you have spent much time around the Burnsland site here, but I have lots of beach memories. And all of those beach memories are good ones. Cocoa Beach is the beach that we have visited the most, but I do like most all beaches.

I don’t know yet what our summer plans might look like for this year. We have plans made, but as with everything else, we are waiting around to see if those plans actually happen. In my opinion, it is still good to plan, but you have to be flexible if you can’t follow through with those plans.

But when I need to think of something relaxing, I think of the beach. That salty air, the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun. That is what relaxes me. Here’s hoping you have something relaxing to think about, too.

Homebound

Like most people, we are here at home during the COVID-19 crisis. We have ventured out for a couple of necessary shopping trips, but that is all.

While that might be restricting in some ways, we have seen lots of blessings from it. We eat three meals a day together as a family. We get to sleep later. Not driving to town every day saves on gas, not to mention time. We have more time to enjoy being at home. There are plenty of things to watch on the television, and we have plenty of time to watch them. Although we can’t be with friends, we can talk to them, video chat with them, text them, and even send cards in the mail. We get to go for walks every day, unless it is raining, of course. Our church provides worship service and Bible class options online. Jaylin’s youth group friends have regular chats together. Jaylin’s school is continuing online, and it is going well. And the list can go on and on.

Before all of this hit, we had felt for a long time like we were just constantly running. But now, the pace is much slower. We have more time to relax, to be together, and to just enjoy life. That has been a much-needed break, and Laura and I have both commented on how in a little way we will hate to see it end.

We have so many blessings. We have our health, and we have our family. Even during these different times, God is providing for us. And for that, we are thankful.

Bible Verse

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 1:3

About the Photo

This photo is another one that uses a processing style similar to what I had used in the recent Glass Beach photo. I think it works well here just as it did there. The textures in the sand and the clouds in the sky really stand out well here, which I like. Plus, I love to follow the footprints in the sand, and this processing helps to bring them out some, too.

If you can’t be at the beach, remembering it through a photo like this is a good substitute.

Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Aurora HDR. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Date: June 11, 2019
Location: Lori Wilson Park, Cocoa Beach, Florida