Playing In The Sand

Today we have a little bit of a beach playground for our prompt today. This is our last full day in California before returning home, so we’re planning to spend the remaining time close to the beach. I never actually went to the beach as a kid, so a sandbox on the playground was the only opportunity to play in the sand. A tiny little box, usually, and no sound of the roaring ocean in the distance, just the chirp of birds. It was still a blast, though, to take little buckets and make mountains or castle walls. My sculptures were nothing amazing to look at, but in my head they were grand and incredible. I would invent elaborate stories in my head while creating things in the sand. That part was perhaps the most fun of all. The castle was often in danger of some sort of attack and only I could save the princess, or much more often, unicorn that was trapped inside. These are the daydreams that, with enough imagination, are the most amazing because they actually feel like they’ve already come true.

Philippe and I have been having a blast, enjoying moments that feel just simple, childlike and fun. This morning, however, we had a little mishap when while backing out of the driveway of our rented apartment, Philippe turned a bit too early. The driveway was sloped with a drop-off on one side and the front wheel dropped off, stranding the car like a seal on a rock. There was no way to roll forward or roll back so we had to call AAA and get some help. The first tow truck arrived and starting to place bits of wood under the tire, but had to go from house to house to find more. Soon, they called for backup and a second tow truck arrived, along with more curious neighbors until it resembled a crime scene. This all happened in the span of less than an hour, but seemed much longer. Thankfully, they managed to build a bridge under the orphaned tire and the car was freed from its prison unharmed. It was all so comical and incredible that it was hard to feel any stress at all.

Even though we weren’t stressed, Philippe suggested I drive to brunch, and we figured it was enough of an adventure to warrant mimosas. We weren’t even made too late to get a little table outside, so everything worked out perfectly. Since we’re not the type to purchase souvenirs on trips, we ended with the best kind of all. A story to talk about later, or in this case, more likely, many years to come. I really love trips like this one. The kind that weren’t planned very far in advance and came with no expectations at all. To me, that’s the best kind of trip because it completely removes the possibility of disappoint. No sight we will wish later we’d managed to view or restaurant we’ll regret not having the opportunity to dine in. There’s nothing that we’ll miss out on, because we’re just taking each moment as it comes. Life can still be a wonderful and amazing adventure, even when you’re just playing in the sand.

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Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group™, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing daily watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world! If you’d like to be a guest artist on Doodlewash.com, contact me!

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