Dear Friends and Patrons of American Trench,

I've was away this past week with my family in Chincoteague, Virginia, a small island off the Delmarva peninsula known for its famous wild ponies that live on nearby Assateague Island National Seashore. It was a nice sunny week, a good time to take a breath before our busy fall season starts. It was great to enjoy some of the beach friendly products we featured this past summer. Here are some of my thoughts.

with regards,

Jacob, co-founder

1. The Canvas Beach Tote. This functioned great for me as a summer city tote but on the beach is where it really shined. The nylon-wrapped bottom keeps everything dry, the pockets keep all of your valuables out of the sand and easily at hand, but the sturdiness is the real strength. This is a bag that will stay upright with only a few things in and that is key on the beach - staying upright and out of the sand. Honestly, it's the best beach bag I have ever had. My personal favorite color is the orange / olive which was inspired by the iconic MA-1 bomber jacket.

3. Ikat Beach Blanket. It really should be called the Ikat "beach multi-tool." I have used it in four different ways and now find it indispensable. I should also add that its super lightweight makes it easy to pack in your tote. Here is how I use it:

1. Sunshade for lounging

2. Chair pad

3. Towel (soaks up water well!)

4. Sun Sarong (southeast Asia style wrap, usually worn around the waist and tucked)

Also pictured: Our Linen Tee Shirt is the absolute best for the hot, humid conditions of the mid-Atlantic. We have four units left. We’ll have more next spring, but not at this price.

4. Crinkle Linen Bucket Hat - keeps the sun off the ears but isn't heavy and hot. So good that my son stole it from me and never gave it back. Unfortunately out of stock but we will be bringing these - and other linen products - back for next spring-summer. 

5. Sashiko Blanket - total beast as a beach blanket. It's huge and can accommodate 3-4 people easily. It's also fairly heavy so it doesn't need anything on it to stay in place and won't blow around. It would also be a great picnic blanket for the fall.

Seasons change and summer starts to leave. In its wake, lots of warm memories, but also a twinge for those early April promises not kept. The trips you didn't take, the people you didn't see. There's never enough ice cream. But there's always next year.

Now, on to the fall. We love the fall. It's our time to shine. Coats and sweaters, beanies and gloves. And, obviously, socks.

As the sun sets on summer, our eyes find the horizon.

We'll see you there.

Jacob