Bowl sessions together forever
We vow.
The first day of fall began like any other. Wake in the dark, move in the dark, bring life back to our bodies. Then, sort out coffee.
We weren’t home so we traded making pour overs and reading while the sun comes up for walks to the lighthouse at dawn, with a stop by Verve, our favorite East Side roaster, on the way.
We sat in our spot, talked, watched the bay come to life as the marine layer burned away while we sipped notes of citrus and chocolate from our cups.
This was our clock.
Empty cups and more glow in the sky meant the kids should be stirring back at the house.
Proof of a good yesterday.
There were signs of life when we arrived: bathroom doors open with the lights left on, random explosions of Tik-Tok audio coming from the loft, and new dishes on the kitchen counter, but everyone was still in their beds.
After a quick check-in with mom about the day, they were moving and we were rolling down the street to the skatepark for a few late morning laps.
Our last doubles run as bachelors together.
An empty skatepark is a dream most days.
The two of us, maybe a few friends, or even couple strangers there to rip–anytime the skatepark hasn’t morphed into a daycare-that’s the best.
Lucky us, an empty Mike Fox park awaited our arrival.
This day could’ve been chaos. The 50th anniversary jam for Santa Cruz Skateboards was going down in a few hours, but the park was empty, mellow, and the air was a cool breeze with warm light.
Ramp sessions were scarce leading up to the trip so we avoided the temptation to ride everything, opting instead to groove in the same lines again and again, going faster, higher, leaning more each turn—to get barreled, pitted, etc.
Tires over body is ideal. Acceptable.
Sweaty and happy, we called it before the crowd showed up, scooped up the kids, and headed to a cave in the ocean to tie the knot.
Of course there was the matter of the waves, the wall, and the wet stone.
All the best places ask something of you.
You have to see it. It’s my favorite beach. And it’s near the berry farm, so we can get fresh berries after. There’s a secret out on the rocks. It’s not hard to get to. Of course there’s a wall to climb. You have to time it between waves. And the stone is smooth and wet. Think of it like a gatekeeper. Like Bastian at the Oracle. You have to be ready to move quick, strong enough to pull yourself up. There isn’t much time between sets of waves at the wall. Once, years ago, I was behind a friend who hesitated. The swell hit us, knocked us to the ground, and dragged us across the stone. Our bodies wedged into a crevasse. That’s the only reason we weren’t pulled under. When you see the gap, just go.
If you want a hand making sure you can beat the waves, climb the wall, and find hidden things in beautiful places too, we’re here for you.