One of the most magical experiences I've had in my life was a morning out surfing alone in Huntington Beach years ago. It was a weekday in... I don't remember the time of year. October? May? When do they usually end up in Southern California?[0] The details are in a journal or lost text file somewhere.

It was a beautiful Southern California morning. Clear skies, a breath of offshores, clean inconsistent chest-high waves. I was sitting outside waiting for the next wave. And all of the sudden a few Monarch butterflies flew past me. And they were followed by a few more. And more after that.

A steady stream of orange and black butterflies fluttering past me. Coming in OFF the ocean towards shore. Was it 5 minutes? 15 minutes? An hour? The procession ended. I remember spotting the butterflies here and there the rest of the day, even many miles inland.

C-beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. Moments that will be lost to those who follow us.

[0] https://www.tripsavvy.com/monarch-butterflies-in-california-...