The last weekend in July is the best weekend of the entire year. Each summer, I look longingly to those dates on the calendar, which have been marked long in advance, and I count the days. Then finally that weekend comes around, and leaves again all too quickly. It is always an awesome time and this year was no exception.
Wildwood is boardwalk, silt-y sand, tacky t-shirts, run-down motels, creaky rides that are scary because of the actual danger you're in, carnival games with aggressive hawkers, and a great opportunity for people watching that isn't quite like anywhere else in the world. Only in Jersey. My greatest boardwalk food finds of the weekend: cheese fry pizza and fried twinkies.
Add to this 169 ultimate teams with the most creative names and homemade team shirts, all chomping at the bit to lay out on the beach once more. It's a giant Frisbee reunion, with people you've played with or against for years, met at past ultimate parties, or are friends of friends that you're just meeting for the first time.
There were so many people I was glad I got to see. My sophomore roommate I hadn't seen since graduation. My old college, Drew Ultimate team I hadn't seen in almost a year. Some people I hadn't seen since last Wildwood and others I hadn't seen since the last tournament we were both at. My fiancé I hadn't seen in four days and my club team I hadn't seen since last Wednesday's practice. I missed them all and was sooo happy to have the opportunity to enjoy their company once more. And throw the disc with them. And go on rides with them. And hit a diner with them. And meet them at the beer tent.
We got out to the beach Saturday morning and the fields were a disaster. Friday night's rain didn't quite leave puddles behind, it left lakes. Our field had no high ground. Not a bit of sand was showing and there was at least 3 inches of water. Warm weather and sandy ground that's under water. I don't know if I've played in better conditions. Everything I brought with me is still wet and gross and I didn't take pictures for fear of ruining my camera, but the field conditions made the weekend even more entertaining.
Amazing. A-mazing. Your Mom played so well. All those tournaments when we said we knew we could play better than we were, this is the playing we were talking about. I had so much fun playing with you guys. Wow.
It was over far too quickly but I had a blast. And Chris, being there with you made this year's tournament that much better. My favorite part of the weekend was just sitting up late with you, drinking gin and tonics and telling stories.
Only 363 more days until the next Wildwood weekend…
I should have replied to this earlier, but didn't have the words. I still don't, but have less shame. At Wildwood, Jess and I marked the two-week anniversary of our engagement. We weren't on the same team, but always found each other before the games, between the games, and after the games. I hope everyone who wished us well that weekend is around to celebrate our 50th [annual] anniversary. I'm sure I don't have to tell the people who visit this site, but she is amazing. I am WAY lucky.
Posted by: Chris | August 09, 2005 at 11:47 PM