Mid-August.  Floating in Carmel River.  This is about half a mile from our house at Carmel River State Beach.  One side the beach is the Pacific, and the other side is this river.  We often stop here in the middle of our run and choose “ocean side” or “river side” to play.  The ocean side is more dramatic and has the cool sticks to build with, but the river is safe enough to play in (the ocean side has rip currents).  Max usually chooses ocean side and Hazel chooses the river side, so we take turns. Hazel now thinks rivers are called “riverside”.  As in, “Hazel go riverside swim?” I wouldn’t call either side much of a compromise.  It’s 360 degree beauty around here.