Gaycation at Madison Park Beach

July 22, 11:58 AMSeattle Gay ExaminerEleazar Juarez

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Staycation, Gaycation, whatever you want to call it, Madison Park Beach should definitely be on your list of places to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without having to pay for a plane ticket, tank of gas or hotel room. Seattlelies have been enjoying Madison Park since the 19th century, when it was the most popular beach in town. Today folks can hop on the #11 bus and get dropped off in the lovely neighborhood of Madison Park. It is far quieter then most places in the city and offers several restaurants, shops and an awesome general store where you can stock up on last minute beach supplies. 
 
The secret to making it to the prodominantly gay section of the beach is to go past the playground, past the families, past the lifeguard station to the patch of grass with boys in tiny bathing suits laying out with our oversized sunglasses and flipping through magazines.

I would suggest using up a few of those vacation hours you have accumulated at work and having yourself a little humpday escape. I decided to make it there on a Monday to avoid crowds. After packing my beach bag with all the necessarry supplies; blanket, ipod, a magazine, a book, some trail mix, water and some SPF for good measure I hopped on the #11 from Capitol Hill and was at Madison Park within minutes. I made my way through the playground, the parents and children, the lifeguard station and arrived with my people. I carefully chose a spot between a few groups of guys who were also onto this whole weekday-beach-day idea.

There were a few straight couples and families within us but I think they appreciate  the fact there is a lot less noise since most of us are staying away from the water and preoccupied timing our flips and making sure the tan is even. For those who do want to swim, the beach is guarded and offers a swimming raft and diving boards along with a shower to rinse off the layers of sunblock, sweat and lake water before heading back into the city.Summer in Seattle is beautiful, but short. So get to it! The beach is only open until September 1st which only leaves us about a month. Remember to pack some sunblock, leave your homophobia, booze, puppies and if you dare, your cell phone at home.