A July Beach Day with Sandcastles and Fireworks

A perfect mid-July day back in 2002. We spent the afternoon at a beach along the lakeshore with a group of friends, set up right on the sand near the dunes. The sun was bright and the water had that clear, turquoise color you get on the best summer days.

The main activity was a collaborative effort to build sandcastles right at the edge of the waves. Everyone, kids and adults, got down in the sand, digging and packing. We ended up with a pretty good fortress before the water took it back. It was just a simple, perfect afternoon.

After the sun went down, we were still by the water. The kids got to light sparklers, their silhouettes sharp against the last light on the lake. You could see boats docked nearby, including one with an American flag, which felt like a quintessential summer scene.

The day ended with a small fireworks show over the dark water, capping off a long and memorable day.