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Coat wearing dogs and a lonely sailboat - New Year's Day at the Beach (continued)



Now as I was writing…this lone sailboat was sitting on the beach as curious people poked touched and even climbed aboard. I don’t think it was there for more than two days since we had light showers the day before and the furnishings inside the cabin looked dry and undisturbed. Just like bargain shoppers attracted to a sight of busy hands clamoring into sales bins full of merchandise, people came to the boat in waves: the sea was calm when a few souls arrived which began to swell as the tide of onlookers increased, in and out, in and out like the flowing shoreline. There were about four people at the boat when I arrived. Three minutes later after I took these photos about 10 more appeared from all directions.

Very happy and content with my photos but still wondered, "hmmmm", as I continued my jog along the path at Judah up to the famous Cliffhouse restaurant, my destination where I shot my videos. I hope the owner comes back to find it in good condition. I move on to the next scene. I didn’t expect to see the number of cars fill the parking lot and bundled people and dogs shivering along the boardwalk. I give kudos to everyone who braved their indoor electrical comforts for San Francisco’s coastal winds. Decorated in scarves, hats, and gloves, tourists continued to take pictures with their best frozen smile knowing the Pacific Ocean backdrop is well worth the shivers. As I weaved in and out among the crowds of families, friends and lovers I heard an orchestra of Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and English. On the beach itself, small to large groups (20 people) huddled around three bonfires, a smaller party was safely firing bottle rockets and other fireworks, and a proud father was holding up a music sheet for his school age daughter to read as she played Christmas music on her accordion as her mother and little brother patiently watched. I smiled and acknowledged her brave performance. A few minutes later the family applauded her accomplishment. New Year’s Day at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach was a good day.

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