Aaah, I thought. This is the beach I remember.
The Pacific is very different from the Gulf, which is where beach vacations occur now with me living in the south.
The Pacific is colder, which brings me back to childhood days where every day spent oceanside felt like the onset of fall. The familiar wind with its cool chill always present and strong, salty musk; the dark, grainy sand—by these things alone I would have known we were on the central California coastline.
Trace and I arrived in Santa Cruz after taking my usual route set in the mountains, littered with beautiful trees.
As we walked to the Boardwalk, I was excited and sad. Elated to be returning to an old haunt and sad to be saying what was likely to be my last good-bye.
While there, my mind drifted to fond memories. Family outings as children, a high school trip, and other adventures with some long-since forgotten friends. But not to be a trip imprisoned to only glorifying the past, this was also a first trip for Trace and me together, an introduction and a farewell all rolled into one. I was grateful to be able to share a place where so many memories were made with my new husband. Childhood, meet Adulthood.
Our first stop was the ocean. He held my hand as we gazed out toward to skyline. Under the sun, the waves glittered, enticing us to remain and enjoy their beauty. Blue. Everything was a crisp beautiful shade of blue. Children were playing and we could hear the sounds of sea lions in the distance.
After a while of walking, we descended back to the Boardwalk. In true konmari fashion, I took a moment, thanking the place for the joy it had brought me.
We enjoyed a corndog and a chocolate dipped swirl cone and walked the length of the open part of the park. Appreciation for this place was in my heart and I knew I'd miss it, not only because there's nothing like it near Memphis, but the bond of familiarity I had built from visiting all those years. Also because this means that making memories there will be a true rarity, which is not what I would have expected in my younger years.
Once back in Stockton, we stopped at my ultimate favorite place for pizza—David's Pizza! The cheese, the dough, the freshness—it's really incredible! I made peace, daydreaming about past lunch and dinner dates here, and felt grateful that Trace was present to experience the joy of my favorite pizza pie with me.
