Beach Crawlers

It is early morning. The sun is rising and has yet made its way to the place in the sky where it will warm up the sand and sparkle off the turquoise waters. The sun worshipers haven't made it out of their beds as they were likely out till the wee hours bumping the night away at one of the many beach bars. What is the point of a fit and tanned body if you don't take the chance to show it off once in a while. The families will come out a little later and will bring their buckets, shovels and beach toys. It won't take long for the beach to be transformed into a busy highway.
This time of day attracts a certain kind of beach crawler. A few days of observing them and you can categorize them into a few groups. I think most of us fall into one or more of these groups at some point in our lives.
Fitness Freaks: these guys and gals are determined to keep fit and firm and have tanned and toned bodies glistening with sweat from their early morning routine. They have all the right gear; heart rate monitors, sneakers and ipod buds in their ears. They may have been out the night before and enjoyed a few drinks but have vowed to run that extra mile to make up for it. Sprinkled amongst them are the "I've got to lose 10 pounds and get a fantastic tan during my holidays so my colleagues will ooh and aah when I get back to work" group. These are easy to spot because they'll be the ones with a bright pink hue to their skin, slightly flabby around the belly and breathing hard.
The Collectors: this group is usually women, walking along the beach hoping to find that spectacular shell or shells to bring home. Strolling with their coffee cups and stooping every few meters to inspect a stone or piece of shell that might make it into the collection.
The Escapers: this group is also mainly women. They are curled up on a beach lounger with their computer, iPad, Kobo reader or a pocket book. I can only guess as to their motivation. Perhaps they are escaping their cramped hotel room and snoring husband or rambunctious children in the search of a little alone time. Or maybe they are texting a lover back home out of the watchful eyes of snoring husband. Or it could just be that they enjoy the solitude of the beach in the morning.
And then you have people like us. Couples who still like to hold hands and enjoy a long walk chatting about anything and everything. No books, cell phones or other distractions and interruptions. You feel a certain contentment in the simple joy of sharing the beginning of another new day together.