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Bowls of chowder to ring in the fall...


A few weeks ago Paola and I emailed about a beach outing to mark the end of summer...  but due to busy schedules, our beach outing fell on the other side of labor day and became an "unofficial" ringing in of Autumn. 

And appropriately enough, Paola, a New Englander and a planner extraordinaire of mom and tot outings, suggested meeting at Sam's Chowder House - an authentic New England seafood restaurant, on the beaches of Half Moon Bay.

So after nap time, with towels, and shovels, and buckets, and jackets, and sunscreen, and Toddler, and water in tow, Mr. Urban and I headed towards Half Moon Bay to meet our friends.

Half Moon Bay, is a coastal town just a short half hour drive from our home.   Until today, my favourite part of visiting Half Moon Bay has been the drive through a thin meandering road that cuts through hills lined with Cypress and Eucalyptus trees, with Pacific Ocean waiting on the other end...  Throughout the way, there are fruit stands, small wineries, and Christmas tree and pumpkin farms that offer pony rides during their "off" season...

The drive to Half Moon Bay always reminds me  of my childhood in Iran, when trips to Shomal, the northern beaches of Caspian sea, were the height of fun and excitement... It seemed to me that everyone was always travelling to Shomal back then.  The road from Tehran to Shomal, was also a narrow winding road through a lovely mountain.  Stopping at the roadside restaurants and shops along the way was a must.  Unlike now where we all seem bound to a timetable, no one ever seemed to mind stretching the four hour road trip much longer, lingering over afternoon snacks and teas at the cafes along the way....

Chaloos Highway - Picture courtesy of Tehran24.com
This afternoon Half Moon Bay was enjoying some of its best weather.  The sun was shining and a lovely ocean breeze was blowing. The air smelled wonderful. And the waves were gentle enough to let toddlers stand with their bare feet in the water, throwing rocks into the ocean...   The live jazz music from the patio of Sam's was spilling onto the beach, making us all wiggly. 


Before long we left our tiny sandcastles, to go inside for clam chowders, Hoagaarden beers, red wine, and array of seafood dishes...  After dinner, the kids ran around giggling on the patio, looking out onto the ocean, as the clouds rolled in and the air became wonderfully chilly.   Paola and I chatted and watched happily over our little ones, while our men sat talking inside.

We left happier than we had arrived and under a beautiful new moon... and maybe feeling a little nostalgic for other happy days by the sea, gone by... 
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