As time passes, the various branches of our family find in increasingly more difficult to escape from our day-to-day lives. Even I, the youngest of the cousins, am quickly approaching adulthood. Plans for graduation and the impending move to college have been distraction enough over the last few months. Albeit naively, I had expected my beach to wait for my return. In the past, it had always reappeared, a near replica of the previous trip. Now, however, it is difficult to compare the reality that sits before me with the land I recall from my childhood. The massive accumulation of driftwood, resembling dinosaur skeletons and the bows of large ships, have been pulled back to their homes beneath the sea. Rising water levels prohibit access to Proposal Rock, locking away any chance of ever finding the elusive treasure chest. There is no longer any room on this beach for adventure or
As time passes, the various branches of our family find in increasingly more difficult to escape from our day-to-day lives. Even I, the youngest of the cousins, am quickly approaching adulthood. Plans for graduation and the impending move to college have been distraction enough over the last few months. Albeit naively, I had expected my beach to wait for my return. In the past, it had always reappeared, a near replica of the previous trip. Now, however, it is difficult to compare the reality that sits before me with the land I recall from my childhood. The massive accumulation of driftwood, resembling dinosaur skeletons and the bows of large ships, have been pulled back to their homes beneath the sea. Rising water levels prohibit access to Proposal Rock, locking away any chance of ever finding the elusive treasure chest. There is no longer any room on this beach for adventure or