MidSummer 2026
Sunset over the Ocean

A few days after the Summer Solstice, which was June 21, marking the longest day of the year, I went to Cardiff State Beach to watch the sun as it set over the ocean. This is also just past the midpoint between my arrival home from my 13th winter in Chiang Mai (February 12) and my departure for my 14th winter in Chiang Mai (November 12). Here I am at the beach just before sunset, and a view of the sun starting to set through the clouds.

In the Summertime

It is summer. Last year the 1966 song “Summer in the City” by the Lovin’ Spoonful was stuck in my mind. (The link to that blog entry is: https://james-intrepid-pilgrim.blog/2025/07/17/summer-in-the-city/). The music and the beat are fun and seem fairly upbeat, and I learned that the lyrics are somewhat dark. This year I’ve been thinking of a much lighter summer piece: the 1970s song “In the Summertime” by the British group Mungo Jerry. This song reached number 1 on the pop charts around the world. Much less dark than “Summer in the City,” the first verse is on the left below. I particularly like the third verse, on the right, which finishes with “We’re always happy, Life’s for livin’, yeah, that’s our philosophy.”

Click on this link to YouTube to hear In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry:

Sunset at Cardiff State Beach

After a short time from the first two photos, the sunset came. And while partially obscured by the clouds, it still has a dramatic look.

The days will gradually get shorter now until the Winter Solstice (approximately December 21). I’ll be in Chiang Mai then, and will miss the sunset over the ocean.

Next: The South Bay Salt Works in San Diego near Chula Vista