Appreciating all that makes America special

Dr. Beach

Dr. Beach, www.greatamericanthings.net

Uploaded by blog.jimcanole.com.

I don’t know how Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. Dr. Beach, determines his list of 10 best beaches in America each year. Oh, I see the list of “50 Criteria” he publishes on his website, which range from the reasonable (“Beach width at low tide”) to the questionable (“wildlife”, in which more is bad), to the purely subjective (low waves are better than high waves).

Dr. Beach, www.greatamericanthings.net

Uploaded by dailymail.co.uk.

Even so, the man has made his fame (and probably fortune) by preparing his notable list. Each year a different beach seems to top the list, which seems more like a Chamber of Commerce stunt than a true crunching of numbers. For 2014 the winner is Duke Kahanamoku Beach on Oahu. Here are his most recent champs:

2013: Main Beach, East Hampton, NY  (Really, Dr. Beach? Really?)

2012: Coronado Beach, San Diego

2011: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, FL  (A Great American Thing)

2010: Coopers Beach, Southampton, NY  (Really, Dr. Beach? Really?)

I’m thinking that I should emulate Stephen Leatherman’s example and change my name. From now on, call me “Mr. Great.”

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