The shore was everything

Summers at a Jersey Shore high-rise with great-grandma and the relatives. Boogie boards until sunset, sandcastles, PB&J that tasted better in salt air.

“Looking out from the balcony, I believed the ocean went on forever.”

Passing it on, badly

She and her husband packed the SUV with toddlers and gear for eight years of beach trips. The kids liked it. The hauling and the heat wore her down.

MS changed the math

Heat weakened her body. Her husband hikes, and higher elevation is drier and cooler, which keeps her symptoms quiet. So the family picked a new place.

“A higher elevation provides a drier, cooler atmosphere, which helps keep my symptoms at bay.”

The Catskills clicked instantly

Three hours from home, same as the beach. They arrived in summer 2020 for a distanced pandemic getaway and felt like they were at a second home.

“We thought it was the perfect COVID-era getaway, but the instant we returned home, we couldn't wait to go back.”

A tradition with a menu

Biking the Ashokan Reservoir, swimming Peekamoose Blue Hole, noodles at Yum Yum, Woodstock shops, and October pumpkins at Bethel Woods. Every season, several times a year.

Now they have theirs

She rests while the boys hike. Someday they'll remember Airbnb pools under an orange sunset and roasted marshmallows in the crisp October air.

“I hope their magical place feels as wondrous and perfect as the beach always will to me.”