Table Topic Tuesday. 9/24.

Hi, y’all. Another Tuesday, another Table Topic.

Here’s the question:

I’ve lived near both. I’ve lived in South Carolina’s upstate, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge, where you can breathe in the fresh breath of four distinct seasons. I’ve lived in South Carolina’s low country, where rivers and estuaries weave through salt marshes to the Atlantic and the air is thick enough to slice. Now, the gulf coast is home. The sand is a white welcome mat, humidity has its own zip code, there are four degrees of summer. And I love it.

See, the mountains are dignified old souls, a great escape. But they’re a little aloof, reclusive, lonely, even? And freakin cold. They don’t really speak to the E in me. The beach is wide-open, never-ending summer. One giant, sunny possibility with no end in sight. And there’s the water, a pretty rad perk for a Pisces.

I pick the beach–unless you count the three mountains of the Magic Kingdom.

These beautiful bloggers weighed in, too.

Javi says:

Is this even a choice? The beach. Are you kidding? Who doesn’t want to live on the beach? Bears want to live at the beach. The only reason they don’t is because they think they are not in bathing suit ready. Bears have terrible self-esteem. It’s a fact.

In fact, my biggest problem with the mountain is the lack of beach. Besides that, they are quite pleasant. But the beach has SO MUCH BEACH! It’s like it is hoarding all the beach. Selfish beach. With all its beach. That’s why the mountains have to look down on the beach all the time. Because it is the only way the mountains can pretend to feel good about themselves, by trying to act like they are above the beach. And then by actually being above the beach. It’s all very complicated… but the balance of nature is all based on emotion.

Everything would be better if it had a beach. Hospitals. Dentist offices. The DMV. All totally manageable if there were a beach there. The only place that wouldn’t benefit from the beach is Walmart. For all that is good and holy please don’t think about what you would see at Walmart beach. You can’t unsee it. Quick! Try to wash the thought of Walmart beach from your mind. Don’t let your brain wander down that rabbit hole. Once you cross that line I can’t lead you back. No! NOOOOOO!!!!

Ashlie says:

This is the easiest question in the world for me…the beach hands down! Or toes down in the sand! I am a salt life kind of girl. I seriously think you can shake the sand from your shoes but not from your soul. The harmonious sound of crashing waves, the distant horizon meeting an endless sea of emerald and turquoise, the salty sweet smell of fresh ocean air, and the soft white sand squishing between my toes as my feet feel each lap of the waves…yes I’m a faithful beach bum. There is something about the beach that washes away worry and brings in a feeling of serenity. It truly is my paradise.

Lindsay says:

I’m pretty lucky. I’ve lived by some of the greatest beaches in the U.S. On a good day, it only takes me about 25 minutes until I’m toe-to-toe with Clearwater’s tide. And a six-month stint in Fort Lauderdale allowed me a two-mile bike ride before I hit ocean. But I’m a wanderer. My moving patterns mirror and surpass any modern day gypsy. I’ve always been told that change is a good thing, and life is the mountains — for even just a while — has always been on my bucket list. I’ll report back with my final answer once I get out there.

Beach – no question. While the mountains are pretty to look at, I can’t help but think cold weather – which I don’t do. I always equate the beach with vacation and relaxing- even if it’s a day trip. There is something soothing about the waves: the live version of my nephews’ sound/sleep machine. While the crisp air in the mountains is refreshing it will suffice as a once in a while visit.