Fun in the Sun at the Beach

Yes, I am part of the "looking down" crowd at the beach. It is not because I am anti-social and would rather not make eye contact. It's not like that at all. My focus is on the sand or in the shallow surf for a glimmer of color. I am on the hunt, searching for sea glass.

Looking for sea glass has been a hobby, bordering on an obsession for many years and it is one I share with my husband and my two sons. Living near the beach gives my family plenty of opportunity to take part in the family hobby and a few of us can be found on the beach, hunting for sea glass year-round.

So what is sea glass? Sea glass is basically trash that has dumped in the ocean. Decades ago, tons and tons of garbage were dumped into the ocean. It was a common occurrence that ended by the late 1960s to early 1970s. These discarded bottles and decorative glass pieces have been tumbling about on the ocean floor for years. During this time, the shards of glass are going through a change. The salt water is altering the chemical properties of the glass, as it leeches the lime from the shard. The end result is a piece of glass that is wonderfully smooth, with a brilliant frosted patina.

From the time I was a little girl, I walked the beach with my dad searching for sea glass. It always seemed that we were the only people on the beach that were looking for these little gems from the sea. We would take our treasures home, wash them in warm water and place them in a jar which was placed near a window. The sun would shine through the window and when the rays found the glass jar, we were treated to a beautiful rainbow of colors.

These days, when someone figures out that I am looking for sea glass, I am often asked questions on the how-to's of searching for sea glass. Quite simply, at any given moment, the next wave may place a piece of sea glass on the beach. You may also find a piece or two sitting in the shallow water near the edge of the surf. But if you want to increase your chances of finding sea glass, the best time to go hunting, is during low tide or after a moderate storm which came off the ocean. Finding large deposits of shells that have been left behind by the tide is also a great opportunity for finding a hidden gem or two.

My preparations for going sea glassing are no different than the average beachgoer. I'm armed with beach chairs, a cooler with snacks and drinks, and beach towels. My hobby is great exercise because I walk a great deal while I'm on the beach, and it's also eco friendly because I am picking up pieces of glass that I find in the sand and surf. Many of our vacations include going to the beach and this has given us several opportunities to explore beaches in several states in the US

At first glance, I appear like every other person on the beach. But to a discerning eye, the dark tan on the back of my neck and shoulders might give me away. Diving into shallow water after a flash or blue or green is the dead-giveaway. Yes, I am part of the "looking down" crowd and I'm on the hunt for ocean gems...sea glass.