Chic's Beach

A few weeks ago, one of our readers wrote on our Facebook page that Chic's Beach is her favorite local beach and J., A., and I visited the following weekend to check it out. Lately, we've been going for a walk on the beach every evening that the weather's been nice, and Chic's has become one of our favorite places to sit and watch the sun go down.

Chic's is very much a neighborhood beach, bordered by houses in shades of pink and yellow and green, with people sitting out on the verandahs and waving as we go by. There's no hotels, no boardwalk. The vibe is quieter, and sportier, than any other beach I've visited in the area. Instead of rows of sunbathers, there are people out walking their dogs, playing soccer, fishing, and kayaking, all in the shadow of the mighty Chesapeake Bay Bridge that stretches out to the horizon. Once or twice we saw a few brave souls heading into the waves with their boogie boards -- a true feat of valor, because in April, even the bay is cold enough to make us squeal when it touches our toes.

Every time we go to the beach with Anne, it's more apparent than ever that we've got a little water baby on our hands. Last summer she was wary of the waves and didn't like the sand. These days, when we go to the beach, we have to keep a close watch to make sure she doesn't plunge in over her head or go streaking ahead of us down the beach. She's fascinated by almost everything she sees on the shore -- shells, tiny fiddler crabs, all of the flotsam and jetsam the waves wash up. Her absolute favorite thing to do is bury her feet in the sand and then put her little hands to her mouth in consternation: "Oh no! Where my feet go?"

On one of our recent visits, I realized that at this point last year, James and I were just beginning to discuss whether or not we should move back to Hampton Roads from DC. We had a lot of reasons why to go -- and a lot of reasons why to stay. On the one hand, our families, our friends, our condo, our life...on the other, less traffic, more peace, and almost thirteen years of built-up homesickness on my part.  We spent a long time weighing and balancing all of these things. The first few weeks and months after we moved, it felt like we were testing our footing a little with each step. Does this feel right? Is this the right place for us? 

But in leaps and bounds, we found our footing. Now, almost a year in, we're sure we made the right decision. Especially when we stand right on the line between sand and sea and look out at the ocean  -- with a little baby cackling with glee beside us -- yes, this is right. There isn't anyplace else we'd rather be. 

Here's a funny little article about how Chic's Beach got it's name -- I never knew. Did you?