Grandmother's September trips to Virginia Beach unite three generations

Lucie André, an author who grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, credits her grandmother for organizing annual family gatherings in Virginia Beach. The reunions took place in a rented house on 52nd Street. André's grandmother chose September for these trips to take advantage of lower prices during the off-season. Family members traveled from various parts of the country to attend these events.

The shift to autumn travel occurred after the family missed several summer vacations. André notes that her parents originally viewed Virginia Beach as a primary destination for summer holidays. Her father, who had strong Richmond accents, frequently skipped school to visit the beach during his youth. The family avoided more expensive or distant locations like Myrtle Beach or Cape Cod. They preferred the accessible and authentic atmosphere of Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach has maintained a modest character despite changes over time. The city features a boardwalk that dates back to the 1880s. The commercial strip includes shops selling items like saltwater taffy and postcards. André recalls buying a T-shirt from Pete Smith's Surf Shop using allowance money. The city cycles between periods of neglect and renewal without losing its core identity.

During the September gatherings, three generations of the family participated in beach activities. Adults walked the grandmother down to the sand while others carried her chair. The rest of the group sat in low chairs with kites attached to aluminum arms. The lower angle of the sun in September reduced the need for sunscreen. The water appeared brighter due to the light conditions. Few people swam, but everyone placed their toes in the sand.

André describes the social dynamic of these trips as distinct from her childhood memories. The gatherings allowed for late afternoon beach beers once everyone was of legal age. The atmosphere felt like home, with family members using familiar terms of address. André looks at photographs from these dinners that show the same lime green tablecloth year after year. The images capture the aging of the family as in-laws joined the group.

The author reflects on the transition from summer to autumn for her parents. She describes this life stage as a beautiful period. The family's connection to Virginia Beach served as a constant anchor during their adult years. The location provided a space for the family to reconnect away from their daily schedules. The trips offered a break from the routine of their lives in New York, Atlanta, and Baltimore.

André currently lives in Atlanta and writes about art and family history. Her debut novel, Never Ready, explores the power of art during the AIDS crisis in New York. The experience of these family reunions informs her perspective on aging and community. The physical sensations of the beach, such as saltwater wiping out and taffy consumption, remain vivid in her memory. The ocean serves as a reminder of human scale.

The family's tradition highlights the value of consistent, low-cost gatherings. The use of a single rental property on 52nd Street provided stability. The choice of September allowed for a different experience than the crowded summer season. The gathering became a ritual that defined the family's social calendar. The location's unpretentious nature matched the family's own values of simplicity and familiarity.