Fewer People
Having fewer people on the beach in the off-season allows space to more fully experience what nature has to offer — space to soak in the sights and sounds, to submerge in feelings of awe.
Dancing With The Waves
I walked along listening to the soothing sounds of the waves. I noticed these little birds following the waves out and feasting on whatever small organisms were left behind. As soon as the next wave rolled in, they would march back in as if engaged in a fancy feasting dance with the ocean. I watched them over and over, wowed by the way they worked.
Vibrant Colors
All of the hustle and bustle of the usual summer activity is stripped away. I focused on the crisp colors in the sky, dune flowers, and the glow of the setting sun. I especially appreciated the rainbow stripe in the clouds.
Lights in the Night
Even in the off-season, the waterside lights in the night inspire feelings of awe. It feels like existing in a bubble, only as far as the light reaches, still knowing there is more than we can imagine in the dark beyond.
Final Thoughts
Even in the busy months, summer beaches are relatively lonely, in a good way, at dawn and dusk. Those are my favorite times to explore.
The idea of an off-season visit can be extended to exploring before or after-hours and off-days when not as many people flood any awe-inspiring settings. We can also avoid the crowds with behind-the-scenes and private tours. Enjoying a space with limited distractions (in a safe setting) almost always results in feeling greater depths of awe.
Thanks for reading! I hope everyone finds some awe-inspiring off-season adventures.
There are many benefits of reading and writing about experiences of feeling awe. To learn how to become a writer and share your experience of feeling awe, start here at our Medium publication, For Awe.