The lively summer beach activity at Laguna unfolds. Waves from the sapphire ocean hit the pearl sand’s shore, appearing jewel like, fun and innocent as they crest and smash into one another. Swoosh, swash, another wave crashes onto the sand. I feel a soft wind brush past my auburn skin. The salty air sticks to my face and coats a layer of salt. As I lick my lips I can taste its briny flavor. In the distance, I hear the laughter of children playing. Squawking sea gulls above me catch my eye as they simultaneously swoop up and down like adolescents playing a game of follow the leader. The noon day sun has me hot, sweaty, and ready for a cooling dip in the ocean.
As I walk to the water’s edge the wet, grainy sand meshes through my toes. I immerse myself slowly, an inch at a time, down into the refreshing ocean. Goose bumps appear on my skin as the waves engulf me up to my chin. I bob up and down like a loose buoy and then find myself floating effortlessly on my back starring into the gorgeous cobalt blue sky. A rambunctious small airplane maneuvers above me, playing tag with the puffy cream clouds. The hum of its engine is muffled by the water covering my ears. The distant sounds of the shore seem like miles away now. I feel calm and relaxed as I drift and float with ease.
HONK! A loud blow from a passing schooner startles me! Huge, majestic, red, white and blue sails flop to the drift of the summer wind as it pierces through the water. Her passengers, with party drinks in their hands, wave lively and shout greetings to everyone on the beach. I bounce and bob off center for a moment before finding my balance and wading back to shore.
Burr! The summer air feels cooler now as I quickly walk the beach in search of
my towel. It’s hidden there somewhere amidst a mosaic of colorful beach blankets, toys, kids and elaborate sand castles. I spot a shiny, lone sea shell in need of a home. As I reach down to pick it up, a tiny crab crawls to the surface gasping for air. Before I could even examine it the crab scurried off!
Laguna’s scenery, laid out like an exotic nature painting in an art gallery, entices all my senses. I smell fresh french fries, mixed with the scent of sticky cotton candy from the nearby concession stand. My stomach growls at the thought of lunch. My hunger pains come to a halt when some yells, “Shark!” All eyes turn toward the beach. Like a scene from Jaws, a splashing frenzy erupts as bodies clamor for the safety of shore. Frantic mothers search the shoreline for their children. Over a loudspeaker the voice of the local lifeguard announces, “It’s only a dolphin.” Relieved swimmers jump back in the water and the beautiful summer day regains its ideal beauty.
I lay on my beach towel with the warm sun beaming down on me. With my eyes closed gently I hear the sounds of the seagulls, the waves crashing, children laughing, and like a photo album of pictures, the pages turn in my mind of all the vivid images of my day at Laguna Beach.