I'm absolutely thrilled that summer is nearly here. There's nothing like sitting on a beach with a good book or my freshly-loaded e-reader. I grew up a mile from the Chesapeake Bay and still hold a special fondness for that beach in my heart, but nothing compares with an ocean beach. Crashing waves, the smell of salt in the air, fine-grained sand between my toes - heaven! I especially love the beaches of the Outer Bank of North Carolina. I've visited lighthouses throughout the Carolina coast and have collected replicas of these. They bring back such memories.

Who else loves the beach on a hot summer day? Which beaches are your favorites?