perfect golden summer

Tonight was a perfect summer night. The air was cool and the setting sun gilded the edges of everything. Clearly, it was a night to head to the water.

Arriving home from work there was a brief discussion about where to go for supper when, in rather close succession we were both struck with a need to go back to Del Rios, our favorite neighborhood spot in White Rock. It was early, and the drive isn't that long. We figured we could be at a table a little after six. I gassed up the Sentra and we hit the open road.

Del Rios is always, always a good idea. I have never had a bad meal there, never been disappointed. It's a family run restaurant on the corner of 16th & 128th, in Ocean Park. If you decide to go, get the baby back ribs with baked tortellini in marinara. Or the souvlaki. Either way you're in for a treat.

After satisfying ourselves with a truly finger-licking good meal, we headed for the ocean. No excuse is good enough to stay indoors on a night like tonight. We found a parking spot and hit the boardwalk. I stared out at the ocean, took my customary deep breath and smiled. Hello to you old friend. It's good to see you too.

It was stunning down by the water By then it was closer to 8 and the sun was in full decline. Everything sparkled. The water and the rocks, the boats at sea and the boats tugging at their lines, the edges of everything, even the people looked like they had been dipped in gold. We walked, much farther than I meant to. Who could deny a view like that?
The sun called the artists out. Down by the pier there was a guy stacking rocks into sculpture. I have no idea how that works. At the base of the pier two classical guitarists sat serenading strangers. It was an evening to pause, to notice and to drink in. There is something truly beautiful about public art. I have always felt that the ocean is its own symphony, dance and painting. Having art created in view of this natural art was delicious.

Tired, full and happy we made our way back to the car. It feels like summer has truly arrived, a perfect, golden summer.