March 17, 2022 Our Ocean Breathes Salty Walk on Huntington Beach

I have repeatedly said the one thing I truly miss living in the middle of our country is the ocean. Sure Lake Michigan is an impressive lake and I love that I live so close to it. But in my mind, the ocean is a magical place. So after a day spent traveling to California, trying to eat lunch at an Irish Pub on St. Patrick's Day (not possible, too crowded), we settled for a fantastic meal at my parent's favorite place, The Corner. Even though I had two mojitos with my late lunch, I needed to relax with a walk along the Pacific Ocean. I left my sandals in the car because I love the feeling of walking barefoot on the beach. The setting sun, the smell of the ocean, walking in the cool water, and the sound of the waves breaking make me believe there is a heaven on Earth. As we walked from Huntington State Beach to the Huntington Beach Pier, I had one of my all-time favorite songs playing in my head. 

 "The Ocean Breathes Salty" by Modest Mouse

Christy walks toward the light.

"Your body may be gone, I'm gonna carry you in.

                                                        In my head, in my heart, in my soul.
                                               And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both live again.
                                         Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Don't think so.

My brother Jeff also flew in today. It was good to see him after two and a half years. He wasn't as thrilled as me to walk in the cool water.

"Well that is that and this is this.

                                                     You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get.
                                                               You get away from me. You get away from me.
                                                                   Collected my belongings and I left the jail.
                                                             Well thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell.
                                                                     I had to think awhile. I had to think awhile."

As we walked toward the pier and the sun dropped below the clouds, it was easy to get some great shots over the water.

"The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?

                                                                  In your head, in your mouth, in your soul.
                                                            And maybe we'll get lucky and we'll both grow old.
                                                      Well I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I hope so."

The colors intensified when reflected on the shallow retreating water. 

"Well that is that and this is this.

                                                    You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get.
                                    You get away from me. (You get away from me) You get away from me.
                                                          Collected my belongings and I left the jail.
                                                       Well thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell.
                                             I had to think awhile. (I had to think awhile) I had to think awhile"

"Well that is that and this is this.

                                             Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed,
                                                     when the ocean met the sky. (You missed, you missed)
                                    You missed when time and life shook hands and said goodbye. (You missed)
                                                     When the earth folded in on itself. (You missed)"

"And said "Good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell (You missed, you missed)

                                       are really there, but I wouldn't hold my breath." (You missed, you missed)
                                             You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death? (You missed, you missed)
                                                             You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?"

"The ocean breathes salty, won't you carry it in?

                                                              In your head, in your mouth, in your soul.
                                             The more we move ahead the more we're stuck in rewind.
                                              Well I don't mind. I don't mind. How the hell could I mind?"

"Well that is that and this is this.

                                               You tell me what you want and I'll tell you what you get.
                               You get away from me. (You get away from me) You get away from me."

"Well that is that and this is this.

                                          Will you tell me what you saw and I'll tell you what you missed,
                                                 when the ocean met the sky. (You missed, you missed)
                                                       You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste the afterlife?"

Jeff & Christy are lit up by the setting sun.

The perfect way to start our vacation with family, alcohol, fantastic food, and a wonderful walk on the beach.