Last Thursday, Paul suggested that we revisit Capitola. Even though the City of Capitola is only two miles away from our home, we had not been there since the devastating storm of 2023 that broke its Wharf midsection, and destroyed the structures of both Capitola Boat and Bait, and the Wharf House Restaurant. The monster storms also damaged many businesses along the Esplanade.
Being a stranger in our own neighborhood, we found ourselves lost the moment we parked our car at one of the three-hour metered spots in front of Margaritaville. There were no other parking spaces, but a tall sign a short distance away, indicating the area we were in, forthe ParkMoble app. To get a better cell phone signal, Paul went to the sign and entered from scratch his credit card number, and other essential data to update our seldom-used app.
Our first destination was, of course, the restored Capitola Wharf. The moment we approached the wharf, a tranquility transcended on us, along with a revelation of its refreshing modernity. The grimy portable toilets were replaced by three ultra modern bathrooms at the entrance. Going forward, we found the wharf seemed much wider than before with the bouncy and strong new boards.
The Bait Shop was open for business in a semi-tent and under-construction building, while the end restaurant was gone forever. Everywhere you could feel the pride of locals who had kept their new wharf spanking clean and well-funded. They made substantial contributions by immortalizing their families or loved ones' names in bronze plates drilled into the lookouts, benches, railings and front metal banners. The pristine telescopes installed on both sides were new, and in perfect working condition. What a magical transformation of the Wharf!
We ventured along the Esplanade. All the businesses seemed to be there, displaying a collective resilience after damage from several storms in recent years. Further down Monterey Avenue, we reacquainted ourselves with Britannia Arms, the old British red phone booth, Geisha Sushi, and Thai Basil Restaurnt.
