Heading to the beach is a journey in itself. My favorite part is right before I see the breakers, when I take the dune path that leads to the shore.

It reminds me of the breathless moments before I’d see the Wildcat roller-coaster at Lexington’s Joyland amusement park when I was a little girl. The road curved and tunneled through an underpass, creating an eager anticipation and a gasp of pleasure when the rickety old structure came into view.

So too has been my experience these last few days as I trudge through fine sand on my way to the more hard-packed, easy-strolling stuff near the water. I know I’m about to see the Gulf in all its glory, crowned by clouds, strewn with sea foam and bringing close the faraway.

The next moments will also be fine: walking right up to the water, taking off my shoes, wading in the surf. But it’s hard to beat the moments beforehand, the approach. They are the finest of all.