We have our beach back! The tourists and teens are gone, very gone. The beach is empty. To windy for all but the hardiest wind surfers - is that you Senator Kerry - and the local dog walkers.

Byron loves the beach, he enjoys digging in the sand, barking at the seagulls, and rolling in all those smelly things the ocean specializes in throwing on to the beach. Our beach...

Bradley walks off a barbecue in Winthrop by strolling along the beach on Deer Island. Yes, sewage-treatment Deer Island:

... You wouldn't imagine the home of Boston's main wastewater treatment facility as a beautiful place to be. ... but was it ever. No nasty odor, just an overwhelming mix of wildflowers, salt-water smells, and a small bonfire on the beach. Even the regular whoosh of approaching planes couldn't dampen the mood... if anything, they probably help keep the crowds down. ...

Liz and folks from her playgroup go to Wingaersheek beach in Gloucester:

... The beach at Wingaersheek is more of a tidal basin than open ocean, so there is little wake and few waves and you have to walk out for a LooooOOOOnNNg way to get to water over your head. In other words, great for little kids. Jack loved seeing the small waves break on the beach and he walked straight out into the ocean, completely excited and unafraid. When the water got over his legs, he walked with a goosestep, so that he could see if his toes were still there. He loved it. Every minute of it. ...