The first 18 years of my life were spent growing up near a small farm community in Iowa. Summer meant tornadoes, mosquitoes as big as sparrows, and humidity so oppressively high you could cut chunks of water out of the air with a pocket knife. When summer comes to Rocky Point, the occasional mosquito is much smaller, there are no tornadoes, and it’s hard to tell the difference between standing in the ocean and standing on the beach. But it’s a wonderful place to be, just the same.

SYLVIA: Is it always this hot?

CAP’N GREG: Where you from, Sylvia?

SYLVIA: Lake Havasu City.

CAP’N GREG: And you’re worried about the heat?

SYLVIA: It’s probably the humidity.

CAP’N GREG: And that’s why you’re wearing a bikini and are up to your neck in a swimming pool? In the shade of a swim-up bar?

SYLVIA: Seems like the right thing to do.

CAP’N GREG: Yes, it is.

SYLVIA: But a person can’t stay in the water all day. What else do you do here?

CAP’N GREG: Go fishing. Shop at the curios and discount stores. Look for garage sales. Visit segundas.

SYLVIA: Segundas? What’s that?

CAP’N GREG: Segundas means used, like the second time around. Some of the locals shop garage sales in the States, and then resell here. We’ve found some real treasures.

SYLVIA: Huh. When I think of Rocky Point, only the beach and the bars come to mind.

CAP’N GREG: Nothing wrong with that, but there’s a lot of volunteering going on, like animal rescue, children’s and old folks’ homes, taking sandwiches to the barrios, that kind of thing. Maybe not as fun as drinks and dancing, but it feels good when you help others. Check the Rocky Point Times for volunteer opportunities.

SYLVIA: I just might do that. In the meantime, I see your margarita glass is empty.

CAP’N GREG: Must have evaporated.

SYLVIA: Would you mind if I bought you another one?

CAP’N GREG: I could warm up to that, Sylvia.