Letter: Locals come to the rescue

Published 8:23 am Monday, May 30, 2022

On our Memorial Day vacation to Long Beach, our family was the recipient of two acts of kindness. It’s probably a familiar sight around here — out-of-towners stuck in the sand. We wanted to write this letter in case the rescuers involved might see it, and know how grateful we were. The following description was written by my nine-year old:

“That was probably the highlight of our vacation!” commented 9-year-old Seattelite Felix Blythe-Braun on his adventure in the sand.

Here from the Long Beach Journal, we get Felix’s exclusive story:

Owen Braun, the father in the family, drove five feet into the sand and got sand stuck in the family car “Perry’s” wheel wells and undercarriage, rendering them stuck. A passing family offered to help Owen and the mother, Heidi Blythe, dig up all of the sand stuck in Perry’s front right wheel.

Also, a man in a black Ford Explorer pickup truck stopped and got out. With experience with this kind of situation, he pitched in with a shovel. “It was like a community effort,” Felix said.

Owen got back in Perry and started the engine, and spinning the wheels freed more sand. Finally, the helper, who had a blue rope, tied it to the back of Perry and his Explorer. Tentative at first, Perry inched back on to the road. “‘Don’t let that sand push you around,’ I said,” said Felix in an interview. “‘You don’t need a triple-A truck to help you.’” Despite being wet and sandy, Felix enjoyed a lemon sno-cone on the way home.

Comments from the family:

“It was nice meeting friendly locals — strangers who helped us!” —Holly George, aka ‘Nonni’

“Best worst midlife crisis mistake I ever made! I’m strangely proud!” —Owen Braun

“Digging in the sand was feverish [but fun]!” —Andrew Lutz, aka ‘Papa’

“It was a wonderful example of community helping a visitor!” —Heidi Blythe

“Skitter.” —Oscar Blythe-Braun

Thanks to the Ocean Park rescuers for their easy generosity and good cheer!

HEIDI BLYTHE

Seattle