Half to Have It

Half to Have It is an antiques store on the corner of Kelly and Main in downtown Half Moon Bay. Outside, clear winds inspire assorted wind chimes. Inside, inspiration comes from Just Stuff piled in and then piled up. As you inspect the thousands of things, cut-outs of Elvis, Marilyn, and Humphrey inspect you. Ecstatic Maxfield Parrish women gaze longingly at the heavens (they are ready to go) while Buddhas big and small wear transparent smiles (they seem happy enough where they are). Mirrors are all over the place so you can ask them, Mirrors Mirrors among the Stuff, Tell Me True, Am I happy Enough?

John Carter Memorial Park

The John Carter Memorial Park in Half Moon Bay is down stairs in a ravine, where the statue of a big man holds a sizeable pumpkin. (The area is famous for its plumb pumpkins.) Behind him, over on the dark side of the park, almost out of sight, two teenagers express themselves against a tree. Close by their two bikes lie casually entangled.

Flying Fish Grill

The Flying Fish Grill is in Half Moon Bay, near the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 92. The fish tacos and the mahi mahi tacos are good, as is the grilled shrimp. But the truly fascinating thing about the place is a trip to the two-gendered restroom. You go out the front door, around the northeast corner of the building, by a row of parked cars and exotic flowers, around the northwest corner, around the southwest corner by piled up debris, in the back door, past the cooks, who have to step out of the way, and around an interior corner to the door. Pray that it is unoccupied.

Schickenberg Nursery

Among a cluster of nurseries along Highway 1 north of Half Moon Bay are the topiaries of Schickenberg's. A carriage and team of horses ride by as birds fly off into the moisture-thick sky. Across Highway 1 to the west is Winged Stump, carved by the wind, unable to rise again.

Sculpture Yard

In Half Moon Bay, across the creek that intersects Main Street, is a yard of sculpture. A gravel road makes a circle. Inside the circle is art made of wood. On the circumference of the circle, lined up against a row of dark foliage, is more art made of wood. Off to the side is what looks like a workshop. There are no words anywhere, no name of the business, no name of the artist, no titles, and no signs "For Sale." Next door, however, or maybe the same door, is "Body and Soul."