returning to the fetal state

the lake was aggressive. from the moment our sneakers hit the sand, it was already decided that we'd be naked and floating in the water, battered by the surf and bobbing in the swells.

we lost our shoes first. laces tied together and slung over our shoulders. we stood ankle-deep in the sinking sand to feel out the water, little frothy waves crashing over our toes. the undertow pulled us in. "let's move further in. i trust perry to be offended by people in their underwear." our clothes were hung on trees, safe above the surf.

choppy water sucked at us as we hopped through shallow water; breaking waves knocked us off our feet while the rough rocks at the surf line skinned our knees. we let ourselves be lifted off our feet and pushed further and further out into the lake, occasionally swallowing mouthfuls of sun-warmed water when whitecaps sneaked up on us. the waves pushed us diagonally with respect to the shoreline, and we paddled to ride the crests back to land.

in and out we hit the lake until we decided that modesty was silly and our underwear was getting filled with sand as it is. the remainder of our clothing joined the pile of fabric tied to the tree. we struck out for the sweet spot again, right where the soft sandy floor was still close enough to balance on, but treading water and bobbing through the swells became vastly more comfortable and enjoyable.

there was a moment where it was as if we had reached our natural states as living creatures. we floated in the water, which was just warm enough to be perfect, as the cloud-covered sun occasionally peaked through and brushed the heaving surface with long, slanted rays. a low breeze kept our faces cool.

we returned to the shore and let the sun dry our clothes before walking barefoot back to the car.