I’ve lived in Southern California for 27 years and I can say, without reserve, that I don’t see the ocean as much as I should or would like to. I don’t live very close to the beach. I, in fact, live at least 30-40 minutes away making frequent visits to the coast a rarity. In some cases, I’d say it’s a shame that I don’t take advantage of what is so readily available to a California resident. On the other hand, when I do pay a visit to our sandy shore, it makes the experience all the more pleasing.

Yesterday morning, Andrew and I took a trip to Samy’s Camera so I could buy my new 20mm lens.  Shortly after the purchase, I drove a few miles to have lunch with my cousin Ben who had the wonderful idea to eat in Manhattan Beach. I’ve never been to this particular beach, if you can believe that. Short though our afternoon under the sun was, I didn’t waste any time and took full advantage of the awesome lens I’d just bought and snapped away. The sky was as blue as I’ve ever seen it here, the breeze was cool but not freezing, and the waves, well, there’s no sound as calming as water hitting the shore. After all the cloudy and rainy skies we’d gotten used to these last few weeks, this Sunday felt nothing less than consolation.