The low clouds have blown away and in their wake comes a picture-perfect mountain beach day: blue skies, low humidity, a gentle breeze.

The beach was still a bit chilly this morning, so I only waded, but the kids jumped in full tilt, as they always do. The adults observed from the sidelines, or entered the water when necessary to supervise. But otherwise, it was a children’s world.

After their swim the kiddos dug and raked and patted — and built what must have been sand castles to them.