MY TRIP TO THE BEACH (IN PICTURES)

After more than a week of rain, we finally had a sunny weekend in New York!

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day. And what better place to spend a sunny day than at the beach?

My journey began at Penn Station - the Gateway to Long Island's beautiful, only slightly polluted beaches!

I headed to the south shore of Long Island, to a quaint little oceanfront community called Long Beach.

When I arrived at Long Beach's famed boardwalk, I noticed something: there was nobody there!

"Great!" I thought to myself. "I'll have the beach all to myself!"

I was headed for the ramp that led from the boardwalk to the beach, when I heard a lone, high-pitched voice coming out of a wooden guard box.

"It's $7 to go on to the beach!" the teenaged guard said. "Can't you see the sign?"

No wonder there was nobody on the beach. It's too expensive!

I don't believe that anyone should pay to enjoy a natural resource. So I decided to bypass the beach guard and make my own route to the water!

Unfortunately, it was further to the sand than I had calculated.

Not an award-winning landing!

Sand is harder than it looks!

But finally, after my long journey, the beautiful water of the Atlantic Ocean was within reach!

I pulled offf my trusty backpack and established a base camp.

I took off my shoes...

and my shirt...

and my shorts...

and moments later I was in the swimsuit that the Good Lord gave me.

I felt so free, just being there and communing with nature. It was a spiritual moment.

But then I noticed something.

The guards had called in the Emergency Mobile Unit!

And I was now The Beach's Most Wanted!

I quickly made my way back to base camp...

and put my clothes back on.

Then I headed back to the boardwalk from whence I had came. It seemed a lot higher from the other side.

But there is no challange that I cannot overcome!

I called upon all the strength I had within me...

"Arrrgh!" I growled, as I used my super-human strength to pull myself to freedom.

Almost there...

I looked back at the beach guards and laughed. "You'll never take Will McKinley alive!"

I made my way back to the train station, proud that I had beaten the system and enjoyed the beach for free.

As I waited for the train back to New York City, I noticed a flier on the bulletin board.

"I've always wanted to take guitar lessons!" I exclaimed, as I tore the phone number off the flier.

Now I get to do two of my favorite things at the same time! All in all, I think it was a pretty good day!

Have a great summer, everybody!