Oceanside - Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006

Every year, mornings like this particular one remind me why fall is my favorite time of year in San Diego. A warm Santa Ana was blowing down from the hills across the sand and out over the water, sculpting a late-season, three to five-foot southwest swell into perfect, machine-like barrels. The marine layer had checked out and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Out on the Oceanside jetty, just as the sun broke the horizon, I stood captivated as the golden light ignited the plumes of spray. It was difficult to turn away, but I was eager to get in the water, and as I hastily made my way back down the wet rocks I kept glancing over my shoulder for another look. An approaching set stopped me in my tracks and left me gawking with my mouth wide-open. When I turned back towards the lot, there were three others standing right behind me with the exact same look on their faces. We all smiled. It was going to be a good day.