MAY DAYS: How To Pack A Ready-To-Go Beach Bag

Monday, June 30, 2014

How To Pack A Ready-To-Go Beach Bag

What's in my beach bag?

We live just 20-30 minutes from the ocean.

That's why I keep a beach bag packed and

ready with all the essentials I need stashed

on my closet floor. It eliminates the excuse...

it's too much trouble to get everything ready.

This big Vera Bradley bag has tons of

pockets both inside and out.

Inside are: 2 big fluffy beach towels,

a clear zip bag with essentials,

sunscreen, a thermal water bottle, and a

rubber visor that I can wear in the water.

Here's what's in my clear bag.

Comb, emery board, wet wipes, an empty

tennis can for collecting shells, rocks or sand.

A mini first aid kit, small Vaseline for

removing mascara smudges or possible beach tar.

Special beach sun/reading glasses, tissues,

Advil/Tylenol. In addition to plenty of

sunscreen, the most important thing

I put in my beach bag is a container of

baby powder. Before you climb into

the car for the ride home, sprinkle some

on your hands and rub them over you feet

and legs. The powder causes the sand to

slide right off the skin. It also makes the

ride home more pleasant: the scent of

baby powder instead of salt, sweat,

and sunscreen.

Mini shampoo and conditioner. There are

showers right on the beach to rinse off

sand and salt. I often shampoo my hair right

there and let it air dry. That way if I'm

heading out to run errands on the way home

or we decide on dinner al fresco post beach

my hair won't end up in a tangled mess.

I even have a small container with soap.

A note pad and pen for whenever an idea

strikes. A little list of silly beach jokes. Fun

if with friends who have small children.

(list at the end)

This clear pouch was a repurposed dental

care package. It has slots to hold things in

place, and I can see at a glance whatever

I'm looking for inside.

Lots of quarters for the parking meters

right on the beach. Also in my bag is

Swiss army knife that can do anything.

They fit perfectly in the repurposed pill

container from the vet. Doesn't hurt that

it's blue too. I just covered the vet's logo

and info with a sticker.

A security string attached on my sunglasses

for that unexpected wave.

Last minute add-ins: my tablet and or latest

beach read, beverage, Iphone, keys, and

snacks. I'm already wearing my swimsuit

with a cover-up, flip flops, big hat,

sunglasses and a layer of sunscreen.

Love my Iphone. All my information is with

me all the time. Isn't it nice that we don't

need to carry a camera anymore?

My phone fits inside my Dooney & Bourke

eyeglass case. I tuck it into an outside pocket.

The inside pockets hold: my tablet, wallet,

keys, and Larry's wallet and phone.

The sunscreen goes into an end pocket to

easily grab for re-applications. I put

sunscreen on at home to give it the

necessary 20-30 minutes it needs to absorb

into my skin. Otherwise sweating during

sports or swimming will wash it off.

Everything inside. Just grab some snacks

and fill my drink glass with lots of ice and

water or lemonade to keep cool and

stay hydrated.

This makes it so easy to grab a few beach

hours whenever we are inspired to just

take off! The beach chairs and umbrella

are stowed just inside the garage doors....

wait, I think I want to grab a pool noodle too.

So worth it!

Here are those beach jokes for the kiddos.

They are so bad they're good.

Silly Beach Jokes For Kids

Q. What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shivers?
A. A nervous wreck.

Q. What do sharks love to eat?
A. Peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches.

Q. Where do sharks come from.
A. Sharkago.

Q. What day of the week do fish hate most?
A. Fry day

Q. Why don't bananas like to sunbathe?
A. Because they have a tendency to peel.

Q. What do you call a man who spent all day at the beach?
A. A tangent.

Q. What game do baby fish play?
A. Salmon says.

Q. Why wasn't the girl afraid of the shark?
A. It was a man-eating shark.

Enjoy Your day!