Huntington Beach

Today I rode down the Newport Back Bay and then up the PCH to Huntington Beach pier and board walk. Around mile 26 I became incredibly hungery and stopped at the Jack in the Box (yuck) just before Seal Beach. "Lunch" in hand I started to ride back toward home. I came across 2 blokes on bikes laden with gear. I asked where they were coming from and the usual sorts of questions attached to things like that. I am amazed to find out-they independently started around Seattle and have been making their ways south to the border of Mexico. I guided their tour down through Newport and Balboa--crossing at the ferry then back up to PCH where they resumed their route.

I think I may find my way (by rail?) with my bike up to San Fransisco and start peddling south. Why not? Soon, too!

Friends

We just had visitors from Utah for the weekend and had an amazing time with them. Thursday we met them at Disneyland and ate awful expensive food there, but the company was great. I love the Dastrups. They move as a complete unit--except that one vital member was missing (she stayed home and kicked some serious but at her game). They are tight knit and yet completely individuals. There is a vivaciousness to them that is fun, fresh, free and easy to love.
Friday the came to our home and spent the night with us. 4 kids 2 adults plus us and our 2 cats. Poor cats- not quite used to a 4 year old being around and so darned curious. We took it easy that night, just relaxing-kids watched movies, adults for some strange reason were all on computers--how weird is that? We were chatting among ourselves too-sharing our finds. Technology, the elephant in the room. We are hooked.
Saturday we woke early and went to las Brisas http://www.lasbrisaslagunabeach.com/ for brunch. We ate ourselves silly on omlets, the worlds best waffles with strawberries and cream, eggs benedict, and sausage/bacon. (I love that restaurant just for the view of the ocean. I've eaten there a few times. Most recently with my Gram, my cousin, and my uncle.-lovely right next to the window.)
After breakfast we headed down to the beach at Crystal Cove. As we were walking to just the right spot, we spotted dolphins jumping. We were surprised and delighted when those dolphins started racing and jumping right off shore--amazing!
We settled in and took up about a city block worth of beach, which was fitting for the day, Valentines day. The only people on the beach that day were lovers stolling and singles determinedly going to enjoy the beach by themselves (darn it!). It was a cold day for the beach by California standards, the reply that I received at church as I was explaining my sunburn was--"Weren't you freezing! That was a cold day." And yet JohnE swam and the kids were in the water. Amy and I sat and chatted watching kids and men play in the water or sleep in the sun. ( two favorite memories-Ben and Jeron swinging a giant piece of seaweed while Elli jumped, and all the guys and Elli building a sandcastle/seafort with an occasional giant wave asserting itsself against their efforts and when the men turned their backs of the seafort Fischer played Godzilla to the walls of the castle!) Later we saw whales-not just spouts, but the backs and even a tail--way cool. We saw loads of pelicans and other birds and a sealion. We spent so long in the sun I ended up with a nasty burn over my face--except where my sunglasses were--only they were JE's sunnies, so they overlaped my cheeks quite a bit and now I look as though I put my blush on like an '80s aerobics instuctor. Yikes!!! This however is a small price to pay for such a pleasant day.
We went to Wholesome Choice market for dinner--a bit overwhelming for how tired we all were.
All in all I would say it was a perfect day.

Tuesday I went on a tremendous and tremulous hike to Irvine lake --8 mile s round trip--half an hour in the rain, uphill both directions. It was great, really enjoyable and beautiful.
Poppies are already beginning to show up, paintbrush and lupine too. Loads of coyote skat.
After the rain it was so clear we could see clear to LA.


Wednesday I rode (in the car) to work with JE and then took the mountain to sea trail to the back bay. I rode around the back bay and went back to wholesome choice for breakfast--hot and sour soup. By the time I got home I had gone 30 miles--nice. I took this picture of the mountains all covered in snow with my back to the ocean--360 view! Great day

Thing To Do In So Cal

South Orange County
Irvine Great Park
Irvine Spectrum
Ocean Institute
Whale Cruise
Crystal Cove
Balboa Island and Peninsula
Laguna Beach
Old Town Orange
Newport Back Bay
Bowers Museum
Bike trails
Parrots in Santa Ana
Verizon Wireless theater (formerly the Meadows)
Huntington Pier
Disneyland and Disney town

North County and Long Beach
Queen Mary http://www.queenmary.com/
Aquarium of the Pacific
Knott's berry farm

LA & Hollywood area
Hollywood bowl
Universal Studios
LA Zoo, Griffith park
Venice Beach
Watts Towers
Olvera Street, Union Station, Phillipes, Chinese immigrant museum
China town
6 flags/Magic mountain
Fashion District
Miracle mile
Mann's Chinese theater, Hollywood walk of fame
Taping of the price is right or Ellen
Getty Museum
Hollywood sign
LA County Museum of Art
A & D Museum http://aplusd.org/v3/
Skid Row

Pasedena area
Arturo's puffy tacos
Antiques and Flea market http://www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarket/tabid/52/Default.aspx
Huntington Library http://www.huntington.org/

January 14, 2009

Irvine Concervancy sponsers group hike. They are ranger led and go to places that are otherwise restricted. Free hikes, and apparently bikes and kayaks too!
Today friend Nicole and I went to Quail Hill with a group and did a "strenuous" hike. Not for the timid, I actually had to stop a minute and have a little something during one of the more strenuously uphill parts. Loads of uphill and down.
The views were amazing. We saw the smog covered Pacific and Palace Verde. Hawks and turkey vultures. Deer tracks and bike shoe tracks. Coyote scat filled with bunny fur.

http://www.irvineranchwildlands.org