beach days

Beach days. Days when you can't wait to get out of bed, which rarely happens. All that is needed is a swim suit thrown on with a comfy sun dress over top and flip flops. Various items that may be of interest while relaxing in the sun are packed in an oversized cute colorful bag; a book, a magazine, some sun screen, a water bottle or two maybe a snack and last but not least a large fluffy towel. Hair thrown in a pony tail, sunglasses on top of your head and you're out the door. No need for a shower, your about to get bathed in sea salt and sand. 

Before you even arrive you can smell it. The the moisture and salt that hangs in the air. The moment you step onto the sand you immediately remove your flip flops so you can feel the sands powdery texture beneath your toes. It's always a bit too hot for comfort but you brave the heat so as not to miss a single moment with the sand. There it it, spread before you, hot white sand and glistening ocean further than the eye can see with waves beating against the shore just begging to be played in. You scope out your spot quickly, and unload your gear, spreading your giant fluffy towel out,  just-so, in order to catch the sun at the exact angle for that perfect tan. What little clothing was worn is quickly removed to maximize sun exposure time. And now to the ocean that has been calling for what seems like forever but has only been a short few minute since you arrived. 

Full speed into the crashing waves which quickly slow you to a labored walk. The water is the perfect temperature. You go deeper, till about mid thigh at which point the waves are hitting you just below the neck, so as the next wave approaches you dive straight into it just before it breaks saving your self from a mouth full of salty water. Surfacing you wipe the salty water from you eyes, take a quick breath, turn and face the next wave barreling down on you. You dive and give it your all, kicking through the pull. At the point where the waves are no longer breaking you tread water for a moment and then flip on your back and float on the top of the rolling waves staring up at the flawless blue sky taking it all in.

After a moments rest you resume the breast stroke back towards the shore this time allowing each wave  to help carry in the right direction. When you reach just the right spot, where the waves are just beginning to cap you stand poised and ready for the perfect wave. It hits you and you instantly turn, push off and tense all the muscles in your body, keeping your chin up to keep the water out of you face. You pick up speed careening towards the shore line, as you get close the wave breaks underneath you ending the adrenaline rush as you float to rest on the shallow sandy bottom. 

The rest of the day is full of sun tans, good books, fresh fruit and hours more fun body surfing the waves. At the end of the day your skin is brown and dry from the salt and sun. You pack up your sand covered things making sure not to brush off all the sand. Tucked away in the zip pocket of your oversized colorful bag you store away the small shells and stones you collected that day and promise yourself you'll be back soon. The sand, the shell, the memories- all pieces of the beach you can take home with you to remind you of your favorite place on earth.