#InFocus: Local man spends 350+ days on beach in honor of late wife

OCEAN CITY, NJ (WTXF) - In Ocean City, New Jersey--even after the summer crowd has lifted--when most people have pretty much give up going to the beach.

FOX 29's Photojournalist Bill Rohrer shares his story.

You will see peaking over the sand dunes - 80-year-old Earl Paul under his yellow umbrella.

"I look like a beach bum, I talk like a beach bum, I am the beach bum," Paul says.

He says it is a game against Mother Nature. Trying to sit on the beach every day of the week--even if the weather doesn't cooperate.

"I never had trouble with snow. Snow storms are like Christmas cards."

This year Earl has made it to the beach 358 times.

"If I do over 350 days then I win the game. If I go under 350 then I loose. I never go under 350," Paul says.

He has been doing this so long…

"I am famous for doing nothing."

Try 18 years long.

"I love coming down here meeting people, I go in the water.

"Two weeks ago if you were sitting here with me you would have seen a 40 foot whale played in the ocean in front of me. Where are you going to see that."

He has a few chairs set up for some guests if they want to stop by and chat.

You see -- this all started 20 years ago when Earl and his wife Cass moved from Philadelphia into a condo a few blocks away.

"We were together all the time."

Ever since High school--before she passed away a few years after they retired.

"You take someone out of your life like that all of a sudden--they are not there. It is like a bad dream."

Earl fell apart. Till one day he went to the beach--and left his broken heart behind.

"Did I get cured overnight No. It took four years before I thought I was going to lead a regular life.

"Without the beach I would have never made it," he says

After 18 years--Earl appreciates the life he has now.

"I have one complaint, if you want me to complain, the days go too fast. I no sooner get down here and I am wrapping up to go home."