The shivering, cold weather is gone. There’s no more slushy, muddy snow on the ground that gets in my Ugg boots, or the icy patches in the road that are always scary while driving over them. The huge snowstorms would cause the schools to cancel for the day.
The best part about going through the breezy fall, freezing winter, and rainy spring is that now we have the warm summer! And especially, no school. No more homework to think about, waking up as the sun rises, sitting through the 83-minute classes at Oakmont. Watching the clock closely until I’m able to leave at 1:55 p.m. every day.
Now, it’s the perfect time of year, summer! Waking up whenever you want, seeing friends as late as possible on a random Tuesday night, eating ooey gooey smores over a fire, leaving a burnt marshmallow taste in my mouth for hours, wrapped up in a blanket while looking up at the full moon.
Ugh, it’s really the coziest and happiest feeling in the world. I could go on and on for hours.
But apart from the smores, bike rides, no homework, and so much more, there’s the best spot to be- the beach! Taking the two-hour drive out there, with music blasting, windows all the way down, a bikini on, snacks in hand, and a beach bag with my towel, sunscreen, and beach games ready to be sandy from the warm sand.
When the arrival at the beach happens, the smell of the salty ocean sends waves through everyone’s noses. The sound of the ocean gently crashing down on the shore. With the boardwalk in sight, surfboard in my arms, and sunglasses on my head. I begin to think: now this is the type of vacation needed after the past year of yucky weather.
I will admit, the ocean is the best part of the beach, I mean, who goes to the beach to just tan? That feeling of the cold, salty water on my skin with the sun blazing down on my shoulders is seriously the most relieving feeling ever. Seeing the ocean life too! Dolphins, fish, crabs, you name it. Well, except for sharks… maybe it’s not the best to see those.
After the beach, getting to the hotel and taking a nice warm shower. The water stings just a little from a sunburn. Hair is extra curly. Washing away all the salt and sand from the nicest beach day. Now, going out to the local seafood restaurant for dinner. Getting fried dough for dessert while walking on the boardwalk until sunset.
Now this is the best part, the sunset. The warm, orange hue shines in my eyes. The previously hot weather has switched to colder. Walking on the previously hot sand, which is now also chilly but relieving. The colors are beautifully painted across the sky as the sun goes past the horizon. Almost like it’s disappearing under the sea. To wake up tomorrow and shine brightly all over again. By the time the sun goes down, it becomes dark.
Walking on the beach with friends, talking about the most random things in the world, is weirdly calming. The laughter fills the salty air, the noises from the boardwalk arcade slowly coming to an end.
After a long day of driving, swimming, laughing, you name it, it’s time to lie down. As my head hits the pillow in the ocean-themed hotel, I close my eyes. I hope to dream about what may happen the next day, and I know it will be another good day because it’s finally summer.
