Aptos, California: High Five Bronze Hand

The bronze hand was put there after. There has always been a tradition when you are at the beach to walk all the way down to the end of the motorhome camping spots and touch the wall, to prove you walked the whole way down (if you don't touch the wall, it doesn't count). It used to be just a wood beach fence. When they put up the new stone wall, they were afraid that it might start getting worn down over time. So they put this hand here to high five instead, while still keeping tradition.

A big bronze hand, with a plaque that reads: "To life, to love, to health and happiness and to all the loving stories on this wall. 'High Five.'" The stone wall used to be covered with memorial plaques; written words on the rocks; and flowers, pictures, and other mementos left in memory of loved ones who had died. Later, everything was removed except for the bronze hand.