The Boardwalk

Kristina Lopez

English 1A

18 February 2013

Essay 1

The Boardwalk

            Everyone in their lifetime needs to visit the beach at least once. It’s such a great experience with family, friends, or significant other. I have been to a lot of beaches in my time and the most fun and most exciting beach was the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I went with my mom and boyfriend in the summer of 2012. This was my first trip to Santa Cruz, I was so excited. I have always heard about it, how exciting and eventful it is. There’s just something about being at a beach with your toes in the sand and hearing the waves, which makes you relax and enjoy your life. Then you snap back to reality on the journey home.

            While I was at the boardwalk I walked on the pier and walked on the beach. I loved the feeling of the sand under my toes and the cold ocean water hitting my legs. I was scared walking on the pier because feeling the hollow wood underneath my feet as I walked out into the ocean made me feels like I was going to fall in and get eaten by sharks. While on the boardwalk I had to maneuver around the trash that was thrown on the ground and avoid walking into something spilt. While on the rides I had to hold onto the railings so I wouldn’t fly out, as I thought to myself how many people touch these things a day, and how often do they clean them. The thought made me queasy, not the actual ride. My feet and legs were so sore from walking everywhere all weekend but it was definitely worth it.

            During my trip to Santa Cruz I ate a lot of really good and delicious food but it made me sick because I ate way too much. I had corn dogs with mustard and ketchup, yummy warm pepperoni and cheese pizza while looking out at the beach, very moist and lemony salmon, and of course lots and lots of candy. Every night I felt I was going to throw up because I would eat way too much. There was so much more food I wanted to eat while I was there but I didn’t have enough time. I remember drinking mint chocolate chip ice cream shakes, which were delicious, and sat on the beach with my boyfriend staring of into the beautiful sunset.

            Every morning I got up and opened the window to smell the fresh salty air. I love the smell of the ocean mist on the asphalt in the morning. The delicious smell of all the food from the restaurants along the boardwalk and pier teased my nose the whole weekend. Even though I was full of food I wanted more. The part of the boardwalk where there are rides didn’t smell very good. I can’t explain the smell but it smelt like dirty rides.

            After I got up and got ready every morning, I enjoyed a nice walk on the beach with my boyfriend. I got to hear the waves crashing onto the beach, which is a very peaceful and relaxing sound. The ocean crashing onto the beach was peaceful but the annoying sound of seagulls squawking, waiting for food to be dropped on the ground was dreadful. As the day would go on I got to hear children and their families, laughing and screaming with humor as they ran around and played on the beach. Then as I would walk on the boardwalk I would hear people screaming as the rides whipped them around. The playful sound of all the games along the boardwalk make you feel like a kid again and want to waste your money on all the stupid rigged games. When the day would end and I would be lying in bed in silence, I could still hear the peaceful sound of the waves crashing down on the beach. This lovely sound would put me softly to sleep.

            While playing the fun rigged arcade games I could see myself almost winning every time then at the last second I would lose because the games are always rigged for you to lose. As I watched my money disappear I told myself to stop playing those stupid games. When I lost all my money on the games I walked down the boardwalk I saw children running around dragging their parents behind them to next ride or game. I would laugh and think to myself that they are probably spending more money than I am. After I was done and broke at the boardwalk I sat on the beach and enjoyed watching the families play in the water and build sand castles. Seeing all the happy people would put a smile on my face. At night I sat on the beach with my boyfriend and watched the beautiful sunset. Seeing the sun drop beneath the ocean made me happy that I was there to enjoy a great view.

            The beach is a fun, exciting, and relaxing place to be. From walking, on the beach, to eating on the pier, riding rides and playing games on the boardwalk, to playing in the sand on the beach, there is always something to do at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. My favorite part was watching the beautiful sunset at night with my boyfriend by my side. It definitely made a great memory and I will never forget it.