We're water people. We live on a lake. We have a cottage on a lake. And, whenever we travel, we seem to gravitate toward water.

It can be the familiar freshwater beaches on Lake Michigan (we love Sauatuck and Manistee the most), or the gorgeous beach at Golden Gate Park in Seattle. We loved the beach at Point Robinson Lighthouse, on Vashon Island, near Seattle. And, we always love beaches in Ireland - Derrynane Beach in County Kerry, Ireland; our own beach at our rental home on the Ring of Kerry, Pier Cottage; and in Scotland, beaches by Inverness, on Loch Ness, near Fort William, and near Mallaig.

There's something about the water, waves, tides, seals, birds, barnacles, rocks formed long ago - that captures our imaginations. The seaweed is different at each beach - as are the shells. The curious seagulls seem to be the same around the world. Some beaches have fine sand, while others boast rocks of all sizes.

Golden Gardens Park, Seattle:

Beach near Point Robinson Lighthouse, Vashon Island, Seattle:

Oval Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan:

Lake Michigan Beach in Manistee, Michigan:

crowds waiting for fireworks over Lake Michigan, 4th of July

Fort William, Scotland:

Loch Ness, Scotland:

and a stone Nessie!

Lighthouse Near Inverness, Scotland:

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland:

Derrynane Beach, Ring of Kerry, Ireland:

Abbey Island, Derrynane Beach, County Kerry, Ireland

At Pier Cottage, County Kerry, Ireland:

seals out front!

Near Mallaig, Scotland:

Where is your favorite beach?

All photos courtesy and copyright Jessie Voigts