A Life, Lived: An Impromptu Tour of the Coast

March 19, 2007

An Impromptu Tour of the Coast

Yesterday I attended three sessions at the conference. I had some time off before my final session for the day so I decided to head out and get some lunch. Before I did I thought I would locate the room, when I found it there was a sign saying that my last session of the day was cancelled. As disappointing as that was (and it was, it really was) I decided to get in the car and do some touring.

In less than thirty minutes I was on the Pacific Coast Highway. The weather was cloudy, windy, but not unpleasant. I had originally planned on doing this on Tuesday but the weatherperson is calling for rain so I decided not to chance it. I was really looking forward to an opportunity to wander along a beach.

I've been on the coastal highway in Northern California and loved it. I found the southern stretch to be a bit developed for my tastes. Developed with massive tracts of gorgeous and no doubt extremely expensive homes! Nonetheless I had a wonderful afternoon.

First up was a stop in Long Beach where I picked up some ingredients for an impromptu picnic I would have later in the day. Back on the highway I pulled over in both Huntington Beach and Newport Beach to wander around. It was wonderful to walk along the deserted beaches, smiling at the antics of the surfers.

I decided I was getting hungry so I stopped for longer at Crystal Cove State Park. Here I paid $ 10 to park and did some hiking. It was lovely weather for a trek along the cliffs. There were more people here enjoying the fresh air and lovely scenery but it certainly wasn't crowded. I sat on a bench overlooking the Ocean and enjoyed my lunch of salad, sour dough buns, fruit, and water. I've eaten so much junk food lately that I need to be good!

It is amazing how relaxed I get when I am near the ocean. I am born under the zodiac sign of Cancer and like many who are born under the water signs I do feel a pull to water. I could have sat there all day but I had other things I wanted to do that afternoon.

Back on the # 1 I continued my way south. I passed through Laguana Beach. I hope to come back to check out the art shops on Tuesday. The crowds on a Sunday afternoon were large - I can't imagine what it must be like on a sunny summer's day!

I got off of the highway just past Dana Point and headed north on the 5. I had a moment of temporary insanity at San Juan Capistrano and decided to pull off and see the famous mission. Many people know the story of this mission and how the Swallows return north on their migration on March 19th every year. Yesterday was march 18 and in celebration of the Swallow's return there were all sorts of festivities plnned.

Apparently the swallows are always joined by hordes of tourists who completely overwhelm the area. I suspect that there were 125 tourists for every Swallow! I quickly decided to NOT join the crowds and got in the line of traffic to get back on the highway . . . an hour later (ARGH) I was back on my way north to Anaheim. I will see if the crowds are more manageable on Tuesday.

Back in the hotel I relaxed, read, watched TV, and had a bizarre dinner of leftovers from my picnic augmented by some treats I picked up at Whole Foods. It wasn't anything I would serve to company and the gourmet meal planning gods must have been trembling with fear somewhere but it worked for me.

Posted at 12:06 PM in California, Travel | Permalink