I’m not writing this installment for anything other than to capture a memory. I didn’t take any pictures, and didn’t get in any pictures either. So I am kicking myself.
To celebrate the city’s 60th birthday, Capitola had a huge party in the village. There were live bands, an MC, and of course, a fireworks show.
Beforehand I was sitting at home not really doing anything. We had plans to go down as a family but Sam was done and done, Sherida couldn’t leave, and Haley looked like she was about to call it a night. So I thought to myself, no biggie, there’s always next year.
As I was sitting at the computer, Haley decides she wants to go watch the fireworks so we quickly got her a jacket and put her crocs on over her one piece Pj’s. We hop in the car, just me and her, and roll down the street to Depot Hill. Parking was real bad in the village so I thought we’d just watch the fireworks from the cliff.
We parked, and with no real plan of action, Haley grabbed my hand and we walked towards the cliffs. Haley looked so cute, with her hair tied up and her little pick jacket that she got at “Tacos” –(Costco). Under her jacket she wore her pink pajamas with little red hearts. When we reached the path running along the top of the 100ft high sheer rock, the view was beautiful. Patterned high clouds littered the sky with other clouds that appeared to be smeared by the wind. The full moon was rising over the east horizon towards the smoke stacks at Moss Landing, and the sun was setting through the trees above Capitola’s north beach. Picturesque as can be. Every now and again the a cloud would obstruct the moon and Haley would say, “Oh no, the moon can’t see me anymore.” I agreed that it was a travesty.
We walked by a few separate groups of people. Some were drinking Modelo Especial, some weren’t drinking at all. Some were sitting on the other side of the protective fence on the edge of the cliff. One group was right on the edge and Haley remarked that it was pretty dangerous to do that. I concurred. That same group was smoking a joint and the smell was much different than a cigarette, but Haley just said, “Oh no, cigarettes?” Her disappointed tone cracked me up – like it was ruining her night or something.
When we reached the Depot Hill stairs there were several photographers parked and ready. Their tripods extended topped with various types of cameras and corresponding lenses. “It’s a great night to take pictures,” Haley boomed.
Indeed.
We made our way down the stairs as two young, teenage girls gossiped behind us.
“Oh my god, I hope Joey isn’t down here, he’s such a dick.”
“Yeah but you like him a little.”
“So, I just don’t want to see him down here, he’ll like, ruin my night.”
“Whatever, I was talking to Jenny today at school and she said that Monica isn’t going to come because she has to hang out with David.”
“OMG, (she said the letters O-M-G) I can’t believe she’s hanging out with him…doesn’t she know Tyler’s gonna be here?”
“Daddy, what’s OMG?”
“I have no idea.”
We walked through the day parking lot that’s been ran by the same Mexican dude for at least 3 decades. He’s been there ever since I can remember. He’s like the parking Nazi. No matter how easy, how simple, or how clear your path is to park in a spot in his lot, his obsessive compulsiveness boils outward as he gives you intricate directions not unlike the guy who guides a jumbo jet to the terminal. I was watching him one time, and I realized that he’s been running this lot everyday for at least 30 years. If it were me? Guaranteed I’d be insane. And there he was, leaning against a car that he'd guided to safety with his arms crossed and looking very important. I thought about saying hello but didn't - I don't know why.
Haley and I passed the theater, ran into some old acquaintances and headed to the beach where we ran into more old friends. Haley wanted to go jump off the jetty so we navigated through the crowded beach. The sun was set, the moon was rising and there were no waves whatsoever. It was an unusually fogless night, and the air was much more humid than usual. Combined with the serene water, the reflections and the views were scenic, and relaxing. Scores of sailboats had parked a quarter mile off-shore to experience the show.
We staked claim to a little rock at the end of the jetty which I soon would find out to be the best seat in the house. As the fireworks began, Haley sat in my lap and we watched them together. At first they were the usual, large plumes and small explosions with big sounds. There were heart-shaped and smiley faced fireworks, and streamers that lit up the sky. After the second ‘finale’, everyone thought it was over and began to get up only to realize that it wasn’t close to over and the real ones were coming through. We had the best seat in the house, as I previously stated, for several reasons. Since we were literally on the water, the reflection of colors on the smooth ocean surface was spectacular, and we were a ways from the cliffs, so the echoes were cracking.
Haley oooed and awed. She clapped constantly and plugged her ears at times. But towards the grand finale, the fireworks seemed to double in size to the point where I was mesmerized. I was stunned. The largest I’ve ever seen. Amazing! We were completely caught up in the moment. There was a gentleman sitting nearby whom I recognized but didn’t know where from, and he was just whooping at the top of his lungs. The crowd of thousands along the esplanade and on the beach were roaring. You really couldn’t help but get caught up. The best firework show I’ve ever seen.
After the finale, Haley and I sat and talked about which ones were our favorites, and watched the crowds empty into the streets. We eventually met up with my brother and his friend Joel above 2nd jetty. It was a beautiful night. I took off then put on Haley's shoes a few more times, chatted for a bit then headed back up to the car. I carried Haley up the stairs to Depot Hill. It was a workout to say the least. People were remarking as they passed me, “Now there’s a good dad.” “When’s it dad’s turn to get carried.” I gave a laughing grunt thinking, “idiots”.
We made it to the top, surprisingly, without any cardiac episodes. We passed the dosia smokers, and walked along the cliffs to our car. Haley was passed out the moment I buckled her in. I threw on some music and on the way home it hit me. What a great night we had together. Just me and her. It’s a night I will never forget, or should I say never stop remembering. And I hope that Haley never forgets it either. These are the times when I can’t imagine anything better and am thankful for the moments.
