BEACHES
 
This is probably the most popular vacation sought in the South. Vacationers can find nice, affordable accommodations in beautiful settings in the South. Always remember the following when vacationing on the coast.

1. Even on a cloudy day, the sunlight's reflection from white beach sand can still cause a sunburn. Always use suntan lotion. It is always helpful to carry an affordable and reliable beach shelter like the ABO Gear beach shelter when at the beach. This shelter has sand pockets stitched into the bottom of it. Simply set up the shelter and fill the pockets with sand to help hold it down. The reviews on this shelter, though few, are very good.

2. Always wear shaded eye protection (sunglasses) when not in the water.

3. That pretty sand gets very, very hot to the touch! Take footwear, slippers or flip-flops, in case they're needed to protect the soles of the feet.

 
4. It should always be remembered that no matter how much fun and how much beauty there is at the beach, it is still the outdoors and there are certain minor discomforts and nuisances to be considered:

a. Mosquitos - always keep an effective mosquito repellent handy.

b. Take a portable radio with you, such as the Elton FR 250 which requires no external electrical power source. The weather near the coast can change rather quickly, though such changes are not usually long lasting or severe. It is almost an expected thing that at certain times in the afternoon, during summer months, there will be a brief rain moving in from the sea. This radio requires no batteries. It is equipped with a crank handle that, when cranked for about 1 minute, gives you about an hour of listening. This radio has gotten excellent reviews from those who own one.

c. While in the water, be on the lookout for fins! And get out of the water if they are spotted. On the beaches of the South, these fins are almost always those of either porpoise or dolphins, either one a much more people-friendly creature than the shark. Better safe than sorry.

d. You may be surprised to find that you are in the sunshine and rain is falling on you! These are usually referred to as "sunshowers" and caused by wind blowing rain from a distant cloud to your location.

e. NEVER attempt to catch or feed any wild animal that may wander into your area.

5. DO NOT take glass containers onto a public beach. Many beaches have regulations regarding this. Broken glass lying just beneath the soft sand can result in serious injuries to feet.
6. Before using a metal detector on a beach, check with the local authorities to determine if it's legal to do so. Much of the South's shoreline is part of the National Seashore Chain which forbids the use of metal detectors on its properties.
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