Tonight absolutely opened my eyes (and nose) for the first time this Summer. Okay, I know it's not summer yet, but it really felt like it tonight.
I was on the way home from my best friend's house. She has been going through some tough times, and obviously ice cream cake and movies are the best way to solve all problems. As I drove home, I had my windows down, as it is very nice (albeit humid) out. I began to notice the wonderful summery smells that were around me.
My first encounter was with a barbecue. There was definitely chicken involved, and the sweet scent of barbecue sauce and charcoal excited my nostrils. Further along, I caught the smell of a skunk. I don't know if this is totally weird, but I LOVE the smell of skunks. Not the hot, putrid smell of a fresh spray, but the lighter, musky scent that lingers in the night air long after the animal has run off. As I was approaching the highway, I caught the scent of another barbecue, this one more fragrant with smoke and earthier scents, like fresh char.
This made me think... I want to smell the ocean! Normally I can smell it from our balcony, but I did not want to leave this to chance. As Mikey is out with some friends tonight, I decided to take a little trip. I stayed on the highway an extra exit and went down to the Plymouth waterfront. This is quite out of character for me, as I am rarely on my own, and normally very anxious about being so, especially at night. My urge to be at the ocean was strengthening though, and I did not waver from my course.
Yes, my life is so mundane that this is quite an adventure for a solo-Sara.
Continuing on, as I got off the highway, I made my way down to the ocean. I kept my nose alert, and as I pulled into a parking spot, I was ready. I got out of my car, phone and keys in hand, and inhaled deeply to smell... nothing.
NOTHING.
Yes, I could smell the fresh air, but really... the ocean failed me. I was saddened, and walked around a little, hoping to catch a whiff, but still, nothing. I was starting to feel uncomfortable, as it was dark and late, and I thought of heading home. This was until I saw them: the stairs. These are no normal beach stairs. These are death-defying, cement, wobbly, handrail-less stairs of varying height, width, age, and stability. They were my way down to the ocean, and even though it scared the crap out of me, I was going to make it. If I wasted the gas to get down here, I was going to make it worth it!
My heart was racing. I pulled out my phone for light and began slowly walking down the stairs. Finally, I made it to the bottom. I walked out a bit, across the crunchy pebbles, and glanced around. Truthfully, I was expecting to either get stabbed or come across some teenagers mid-coitus. Luckily, neither occurred. What did happen, was that I breathed in, and got the most satisfying smell of the night: the ocean. And not the passing, salty, ocean smell... It was the earthy, green smell of algae and seaweed and fish... absolutely satisfying.
It literally took me more time to type this than I spent down there...and I type pretty quickly. I was down and up in a flash. I'm still an anxious scaredy-cat, but at least I did a little something. And it was totally worth it.
