I walk down to the beach,
muddy flip-flops squeak underfoot,
the wind tossing my messy hair around me.
The lake is calm,
and the color of the water runs into the cloudless sky,
creating an uninterrupted pale blue palette.
I sit down on the water worn dock,
slip off my shoes,
and dip my toes in the lukewarm water.
I love this place,
the thrilling anticipation leading up to the annual trip,
the ache in my arms as I glide along the surface of the water in a kayak,
and the polar plunges at 6:30 AM.
I love the knotted hair,
the dirty fingernails,
the Science Challenge
which leaves you covered in eggs, whipped cream,
or some kind of foul smelling substance.
I even love the teeth chattering after swimming,
and the standing in the freezing rain doing team building activities.
I love the flaws, the challenges, and the mistakes.
Because when you’re at camp,
everything is an adventure.