Of flip flops, metal detectors and old times renewed

Late Sunday evening I popped a frozen pizza into the oven, then settled on the couch to watch Pixar’s Soul, and edit photos from the day’s adventure, while the pie cooked.

Arlo was gifted a metal detector for Christmas and was eager to put it to use. I, myself, was yearning for another coastal foray. Despite calls for gusty winds, Sunday felt like a good time to hit the road!

In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the most ideal time to search for buried treasures—as winter storms, heavy surf and high tides swept the beaches bare. However, the boy chose to utilize this day to familiarize himself with the metal detector’s settings.

Sunday afternoon’s weather was crisp, the air tinged with a steady breeze that kept us bundled up. Honestly though, it was actually rather pleasant, and the beach offered its own stark, winter’s charm.

As golden hour approached, the light took on warm hues with deep shadows dancing in the curves of the great sand dunes. To the east, a robust moon began to rise above the forested Coast Range. It’s silvery glow a striking contrast to the amber tones of the setting sun. We both took this as an opportunity to sit on a large driftwood log and soak it all in.

Twilight found us making our way back through the dunes to my car, laughing all the way. It felt like old times again. The drive back to Fort Bragg was quiet, save for the sounds of Linkin Park echoing through the Ford’s old speakers. He was asleep by the time we reached Highway 20.

Back at home, the comforting aroma of a pepperoni pizza filled the kitchen as I finished sorting and editing my images. Meanwhile Soul reached my favorite part: the Epiphany. It’s themes of passion and purpose resonating deeply.

Though the day marked a slightly delayed start to my photography for 2025, it was a beginning well worth the wait.