A Crowded July Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The day ended with the drive home, watching the last bit of orange light burn out behind the mountains. A dramatic finish to a long, simple day.

We had decided to head to the coast for the day on July 5th, 2008. It was the Saturday after the holiday, and we knew what we were getting into. The main goal was just to get out of the house and spend some time together.

The beaches were completely packed, as expected. We started over where the creek empties into the ocean, near the old railroad trestle. Families were everywhere, splashing in the shallow water and finding whatever patch of sand they could claim. The sun was out and it felt like the middle of summer.

Down the beach, the boardwalk was in full swing. The sounds of the roller coaster and the sight of the Ferris wheels against the blue sky is such a classic California scene. It was a chaotic mix of sunbathers, swimmers, and people heading for the rides. We waded into the water with everyone else.

Amidst the crowds, it all came down to these small moments. Just sitting at the edge of the water, playing in the wet sand. It was a good day.