One of the cars I frequently see in our neighborhood has a sticker on the back that says “Salt Life.” I’ve seen it in other places too, but never really knew what it was all about. Remember that I live a sheltered life, with no advertising and stuff, so bear with me. The other day going to work I followed an SUV that was sporting a “Salt Life” spare tire cover. Finally getting the better of my curiosity, I turned to The Google to see what this was all about.
So as it turns out, Salt Life is a company that sells stuff that says Salt Life on it. According to their website, they are “an authentic, aspirational and lifestyle brand that embraces those who love the ocean and everything associated with living the “Salt Life”.” So in other words, according to the cynic in me (me, cynical? 🙂 ), they sell stuff to people who are too busy living some other “authentic aspirational lifestyle” to actually go to the beach and enjoy “everything associated with” being at the ocean. It’s a fantastic business model – get people to pay for the privilege of advertising your brand. One of the oldest models in the world.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m good with it. I ain’t judging. But the whole idea strikes me as kind of shallow. I mean, if we really aspire to living at the beach, then we need to get our a$$ to the beach. Don’t just buy stuff that makes other people think you went to the beach. Besides, the real beach people can tell.
Wonderful images of the water-created ridges in the sand, Tom. You don’t often see many of these on ocean beaches (at least I haven’t). I love to photograph these kinds of patterns in the desert. Very often they’re “petrified” versions – old beaches from long extinct oceans.
I don’t think I’d put a sticker on my car that was an advertisement for somebody else. Actually, we have no stickers, even though we could legitimately have dozens. When we travel to some states I don’t even like having the NY plates on the car. I was once verbally attacked by a woman at a gas station in Mesquite, NV for being anti-gun because I was from NY. Anonymity is the best way to travel………
Thanks, Paul. I’ve seen ridges like these quite often around Hilton Head, but I think the fact that these were on an offshore sand bar made them a bit larger and way more plentiful than usual. In just another hour or so the whole place would have been underwater. I think that was extra cool!
I suppose the more you travel the more you are likely to encounter wackos. I’ve never been to Mesquite, NV but I can only imagine….
I definitely prefer anonymity all the time, especially when we travel. Now if I can only be invisible too. 😉
Well, Paul … I really think that you should have Webster sticker on your car … you know, it’s where life is worth living! 🙂
Cool patterns that you’ve captured Tom. And I can’t argue with your words; I’m totally behind the sentiment.
Thanks, Cedric. I think a lot of the commenters are sharing our sentiment!
I don’t need the sticker on my car and I don’t even need to go. I’ll just set here and look at you photos and think beach! 🙂
I’m not a sticker guy either, Earl. Although some day I may get a car with a big old tailgate just so I can cover it with stickers from places I’ve actually been to. 😀
Earl’s got a point there. But, the smell of the ocean and send between my toes is the best way to experience salt life. I smile because we do work at selling anything. 🙂
And I love all of these images. We’ll done!
I think you’d fit right in with all the crusty old salts at the beach, Monte. 😉 And I agree with you that I’d rather have my feet in the sand than a sticker on my car.
I had to check out the Salt Life website, just to see what they offer. I think I will remain on a low salt diet.
I really like the photos though.
They are definitely filling a need for someone, just not us, Ken. Thanks for the comments, I’m enjoying processing and sharing the photos.
C’mon, Tom. Get with the program. Salt Life! 😉 I love these patterns too, especially the texture of them while I’m walking over them barefooted … after photographing them.
Footprints on those sand waves would make an interesting photograph, too. Thanks, Paul!