One of my favorite childhood memories was going to the beach with my family. It was an annual tradition that we looked forward to every summer. I can vividly recall the sensation of the hot sand under my feet, the salty ocean breeze blowing through my hair, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It was a sensory experience that I will never forget.
As we arrived at the beach, my siblings and I would run towards the water as fast as we could, eager to dive in and cool off. I remember the feeling of the cold water as it enveloped my body, the way it tugged at my legs as I tried to stand still, and the taste of salt on my lips as I swallowed some by accident. We would swim and play in the water for hours, building sandcastles and jumping over waves.
When we got hungry, my parents would set up a picnic on the sand. I remember the smell of fresh fruit, sandwiches, and chips that we would devour in seconds. We would often have watermelon, which was always my favorite, and I can still remember the sound of my dad tapping on the fruit to pick out the perfect one.
After lunch, we would explore the beach, collecting shells and rocks that we found on the shore. I loved feeling the different textures of the shells in my hands, the rough ones that had barnacles on them and the smooth ones that were polished by the sand and water. We would also bury each other in the sand, leaving only our heads sticking out, and pretend to be mermaids or pirates.
As the sun began to set, we would gather our things and head back to our car. I remember the way the sand would stick to my skin and clothes, and how the salty water would make my hair stiff and tangled. We would shake out our towels and fold them neatly, making sure we didn't forget anything on the beach.
As we drove away, I would look back at the beach, watching it disappear in the distance. Even though the day was over, I knew that we would come back again next year and make new memories that would last a lifetime.