GULF SHORES, Ala. — Sunset is an idyllic time at the beach. The heat of the day is gone. The sea breeze is refreshing. Most of the sun worshippers have packed it in for the day.

All-in-all it’s a great time for a stroll. We went to the beach at Cotton Bayou Beach Access in Orange Beach.

We were enjoying the ride to the beach in our convertible with the top down and the wonderful late afternoon atmosphere was just great. We pulled up near the boardwalk as always. We left the top down on the convertible as always. We walked down the boardwalk marveling at the great beach weather as always. We deposited our flip flops at the end of the boardwalk and made our way to the water’s edge.

The sun setting between the condos made a nice picture and a heron was the subject of another couple of pictures. It was a great time to be at the beach. We made our way back to Cotton Bayou, the boardwalk and our flip flops.

But wait, where were my flip flops? Thinking that perhaps they had been deposited in another place, a search ensued, but indeed they were missing.

All the assurances that were made to others about not worrying about leaving their shoes unattended at the end of the boardwalk suddenly became hollow.

Leaving shoes near the foot of the cross at Cotton Bayou somehow became a sacrilege.

Actually, the trusting nature we had cultivated over the last several years lost it validity tonight.

Perhaps the Crocs were too much temptation for some wayward soul.

Perhaps those size 13 flip flops would serve someone else better. It is a poignant reminder that it is summer at the beach. No more leaving the top down on the convertible.

No more flip flops at the end of the boardwalk.

Protect your valuables. It’s hard times for the economy, personal investments and even your flip flops

Warren Adams

Orange Beach