Earlier this week, Mart and I headed southwest to coastal Alabama. Two old friends from his high school days had rented a beach house in an area a little less developed than other coastal towns.

Since we live in Georgia, just one state over, I always think that driving to the coast of Alabama should be around three hours, tops. But sadly, it’s not—not by a long shot. Rather, it’s six hours, tops, unless you need to stop for, say, gas, food, or restrooms (and, yes, we do), and then it’s more like seven hours, tops. Seven long hours, may I say, because you know that your destination will be sunny, warm, and beachy, not at all like what you left behind.

But, by the time we got to our friends’ rental at the beach, it was rainy, overcast, dark, and chilly.

Not ideal weather for a couple of days at the beach.

However, it was ideal weather for relaxing, talking, laughing, and, for me, getting to know these friends better.

The weather didn’t improve at any point, but the next afternoon, we pulled on hoodies, jackets, sweatshirts, and caps, and walked down the road a short distance to the beach. It was almost deserted—just us and two other couples with dogs.

A rainy day at the beach is still filled with beauty. Here’s what we saw.

The sky was just as interesting as the water.

Big waves broke on the beach and chased us back like children.

A brief sighting of the sun before the clouds again took over the sky.

Despite the rain, the dismal days didn’t dampen our spirits. Rather, the weather allowed us time together that we may not have had if the sun had been bright and the beach had beckoned.

In this case, a couple of rainy days at the beach were just right.

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