Need Help With Going to the Beach

DS is 19 months old and today was the first time we ever went to the beach (I didnt feel confident in my ability to take him last year and DH hates the beach ) We had a great day and DS LOVED it. The only issue was the actual GETTING on the beach. It is a far walk (we went to RM) and DS kept getting distracted and it took forever to get down closer to the water. I knew it wasnt going to be an all day excersion so I only had a beach bag with me. I still couldnt carry him the whole way, especially with him squirming to get down. I cant imagine what to do during the summer when there are going to be hoards of people there. I wound up parking in field 2 and noticed that there were a lot of SUVs on the beach (to our west). I am pretty sure i went 4-wheeling with an old boyfiend (in a former life ) but I cannot remember what the "rules" are. Do I need a permit to go on the beach? I have a FWD Sante Fe. Is that sufficient to get me down there? Are you always allowed to go on the beach? I vaguely remember something about letting air out of tires but I think I'd be scared to do that alone Any insight would be great. Should I just forget the parking on the beach thing and get a wagon? A stroller? These are going to be expensive no?

TIA!

Message edited 5/9/2011 7:51:01 PM.

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach

Yes you need a permit.

I personally would not bring a Santa fe out there.

You also need certain items in your truck. I can trembler them all but I know you need a showel, a wood plank and a portable potty

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I went to the beach RM all summer last yr with a 1yr old. And will do it again this yr with a 2 yr old and being preggo. This is what made it possible...

I got a wagon with an umbrella (kills 2birds with 1 stone )... it came with a cooler that attaches to the outside for drinks and lunch. I got a waterproof blanket that folds up and you can wear over your shoulder. I also have a beach chair that can be worn as a backpack so my hands are free. A big bag that I toss, sunscreen, towels, diapers, wipes, snacks, change of clothes for Abby. And that goes in the wagon with her.

At RM go to field 5 the beach is short you can use the boardwalk then go less then 10 feet on the sand with the wagon and plop.

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach

All you need is his stroller! I took DS practically every day last year. Drag it behind you wheel barrel style! DS loved riding like that too.

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach

You do need a permit. You would have had to purchase it by the end of April and it's a fishing permit. There is a fair amount involved in getting a beach permit - you need to have a shovel, towrope, boards, etc in case you break down on the beach. You can take a Santa Fe on the beach, I've done it many times - RM, Sore Thumb and Montauk...but you should have experience cuz it's very easy to get stuck...I've never had it happen in the Santa Fe, but I have gotten stuck out there in a blazer-thankfully another truck pulled us out.

Try Field 5 with the baby (the one closest to the lighthouse) and try a wagon....we usually go to 5 and I throw C in the wagon with our beach stuff and I carry my chair in the other hand.

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach

A snow sled will glide right across the sand! Pile him in with all your stuff and go! I try not to go to beaches with a long walk though since it's a pain for the bathroom situation.

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach

This is a greta post. Last year we bought the beach caddy thing. But I still found it exhausting lugging that, DD, chairs etc. I never went alone tho.
Does the radio flyer wagon work, or is it no needed?

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Thanks for everyone's help! Wagon it is! And I just scored a little tykes one for $20 on craigslist. It looks brand new!

Re: Need Help With Going to the Beach