It happens each year, a few days in February when the sun rises in clear skies, temperatures spike and suddenly, it's springtime. Angelenos strip down to shorts and tees and gear up for a beach visit. All of them, all at once.

At least that's how it felt yesterday, when PCH was jammed and every food stand and restaurant and grocery store and even gas station in Malibu was mobbed.

And lest you think we here in the Cove were exempt, we had congestion problems of our own.