Miami Beach Days!
- navakallc
- Sep 1, 2024
- 3 min read
As the summer is starting to come to an end, I am trying and soaking in any last bit of sunshine. That includes swimming in lakes, playing in the park, having picnics with friends, and walking on the beach. Though the thing is, any sandy beaches near Redmond are almost 3 hours away! So, I have no choice but to simply relive some of my best memories of the beach in Miami at the beginning of the summer!
It felt amazing to view the wide expanse of the ocean in front of me. It was the first time I was looking over at the Atlantic Ocean, and the water at Miami beach was crystal clear, the turquoise waves crashing down, creating a soothing sound. The water always calms me down, I think as I sit on the grainy sand, scorching under the intense heat of the sun. The crashing of the waves is all I can hear, even though the beach is packed with people, chattering and screaming as sandcastles are being built, beach mats are being placed, and people are running towards the water.
There’s something magical about the water, the sun glinting off it like a spotlight, creating a sort of halo. The bright sun in the blue sky is like a big smile, stretched even wider than the one on my face, which is saying something. It’s amazing the way the sky and the sea meet at a point in the far distance, like old friends holding hands, promising to never let the other go.
Building sandcastles was one of my favorite pastimes at the beach when I was younger, and I used to spend hours creating a big enough hole in the sand and fetching water from the ocean in my bucket to pour in it. It used to take me almost a 100 tries before I could make my own little pond. I’ve upgraded as I’ve gotten older, and now run to the beach in my swimsuit and refuse to come out until the sun has set. I like wading in the water, playing water frisbee or diving underneath in search of crabs with my dad. I don’t quite know how to explain it, but when I kick my legs forward and rest my head on the water, almost as if I’m sleeping on my bed, a calm washes over me. Whether it’s the wide expanse of the sky above me, or the coolness of the water on a hot summer day, it always makes me happy.
Aside from swimming, there are a bunch of water sports that make me love the beach. One of my favorites is the banana boat ride! It’s a thrilling ride, where you hold on for dear life as a jet ski pulls you forward on a banana shaped boat and your goal is to not lose your balance in the slick water and fall in. It’s definitely a feat as the driver’s intention is to make you fall but I’m proud to say I succeeded in staying on, even though it meant my hands were severely calloused.
Paragliding is another one of my favorites. Flying high above the ocean, you can see almost everything! The buildings, the beach, the city life, and water for miles on end. This time, we were even able to spot some sting rays gliding through the water beneath us. I love the way the boat suddenly gains speed and dips you in the water, soaking you to your bones, but is exhilarating all the same.
Kayaking is a different level of serene, the way you rock in the water as you row forwards, the waves crashing around you and making your stomach flip. It’s different than kayaking in the lake, because the water is more choppy and you feel like you might fall during the turns. It’s one of my favorite experiences out in the water.
The ocean means a lot to me, and it brings me joy and peace every time I go visit the beach. While I wish I lived closer to a beach, those memories are something I will cherish for a lifetime, and as you have it, write about it too.