Enjoying a breakfast burrito at the beach. Let the l-o-n-g weekend begin!
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beach. Show all posts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Hiding My First Cache
Come along with me ... as we hide our first cache. A tribute to our local lifeguards!
GC1Y0MR Love Your Lifeguard
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
My Bluff Top Perch
Friday after work I returned to my new happy place to look out over the ocean and usher the weekend in.
The view from my perch: Menacing Sky
By the time I arrived the sun was already dropping down behind the clouds and the sky was looking menacing.
Comfy logs to sit on and enjoy the view
Despite the warnings about the unstable cliffs - I have had several people ask me the best way down to the beach. As for me - I am happy just to sit and enjoy the view!
By the time I arrived the sun was already dropping down behind the clouds and the sky was looking menacing.
Despite the warnings about the unstable cliffs - I have had several people ask me the best way down to the beach. As for me - I am happy just to sit and enjoy the view!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Grunion Momma
After five failed attempts to "see" the elusive grunion -- I decided it was time to enlist the help of the professionals. I signed Jac Jac and I up for an evening seminar to learn some recognizance techniques and EVERYTHING you wanted (and some you didn't) want to know about our fishy friends.
Jac Jac in the Scripps Auditorium Learning All About The Secret Life of Grunion
What I didn't realize was I was going to have an opportunity to become a grunion parent. During the last grunion run - the Scripps researches had scooped up some beach sand with grunion eggs. With tonight's run the eggs were ready to hatch and I was going to make that happen! I rec'd a cup of sand and some sea water. I swirled the water in the cup to imitate the tide coming in. After a few minutes my grunion eggs started to hatch. Pop, pop, pop ... little grunion popping out of their eggs and swimming around in my cup. Surprisingly cool!
Tippie, the proud grunion momma
About 11 pm we headed out to the beach to wait for the grunion to arrive. There was easily 100 people roaming the beach hoping the cagey fish would make an appearance. From our seminar we learned that two 'scout' fish come up on shore to check things out. If all looks good they give the all clear and school of fish come ashore. Tonight, I saw my first grunion EVER and was beside myself in excitement. A scout came up on the beach, flopped around and then left again. I think he wisely decided with the hundred folks standing around waiting --- that perhaps this wasn't the best place for a fish breeding party!
What I didn't realize was I was going to have an opportunity to become a grunion parent. During the last grunion run - the Scripps researches had scooped up some beach sand with grunion eggs. With tonight's run the eggs were ready to hatch and I was going to make that happen! I rec'd a cup of sand and some sea water. I swirled the water in the cup to imitate the tide coming in. After a few minutes my grunion eggs started to hatch. Pop, pop, pop ... little grunion popping out of their eggs and swimming around in my cup. Surprisingly cool!
About 11 pm we headed out to the beach to wait for the grunion to arrive. There was easily 100 people roaming the beach hoping the cagey fish would make an appearance. From our seminar we learned that two 'scout' fish come up on shore to check things out. If all looks good they give the all clear and school of fish come ashore. Tonight, I saw my first grunion EVER and was beside myself in excitement. A scout came up on the beach, flopped around and then left again. I think he wisely decided with the hundred folks standing around waiting --- that perhaps this wasn't the best place for a fish breeding party!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Dude's at the Beach
These guys were watching the surf from their perch on the Grandview steps in Leucadia. The two of them sitting there represents the quintessential Encinitas day. They were super friendly so I stopped and chatted with them for a while - they are regulars pole sitters ... watching the surf for hours on end and contemplating whether it is worth suiting up. I was wearing my Merrel's (when am I not!) and one of them commented on them. Turns out he works at the Merrel Shop in Carlsbad. I told he we would probably meet again!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Swimming With The Sharks
Today is my friend Jac's birthday. In honour of the day we decided to head over to LaJolla Shores and swim with the Leopard Sharks.
We were barely in the water before Jac saw her first shark. It was fun watching her shock and excitement when she realized that they were not small little fishies but full on 4-6 foot scary looking sharks.
Despite LOVING the ocean I suffer from terrible motion sickness. On a waaavvvvy day like today I can only last about 5 minutes with a face mask on. I had a good time floating up above and gabbing with the other folks looking for sharks.
When we were drying off on the beach - two dudes came up to us and asked us if we had seen sharks. They were TOTALLY freaked by just how big and scary looking they were!! We were feeling pretty cool for taking it all in stride.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
A Quick Dip!
Tonight a gang from the office headed over to Torrey Pines Beach to boogie board after work. One of our Chicago colleagues is in town. There is no better way to extend a California welcome than a quick lesson in riding the waves. We had a blast crashing around in the surf together. It enjoyed watching our pasty friend tentatively dip his toes in the water and shiver. The 'locals' plunged in with glee, thrilled to bits with the beautiful warm water (low 70's!!!).
Tonight is school night for me - so I could only play for a half an hour or so. But that half hour wiped away all the stress and craziness of the work week! I scrambled to class wearing my flip flops, hair dripping wet and a huge smile on my face!
On a sadder note when we arrived at the park this evening there was a line up of media trucks and news crews milling about. TV crews are ominous. They rarely show up to do a feature about a beautiful day at the beach. We learned that just a few hours before we arrived, a man vacationing with his family was killed by a bluff collapse (local news story here).
I have always been in awe of the distinctive beauty of the sand bluffs along the San Diego coastline.
Beach Near Bluff Collapse Is Deserted
Tonight is school night for me - so I could only play for a half an hour or so. But that half hour wiped away all the stress and craziness of the work week! I scrambled to class wearing my flip flops, hair dripping wet and a huge smile on my face!
On a sadder note when we arrived at the park this evening there was a line up of media trucks and news crews milling about. TV crews are ominous. They rarely show up to do a feature about a beautiful day at the beach. We learned that just a few hours before we arrived, a man vacationing with his family was killed by a bluff collapse (local news story here).
I have always been in awe of the distinctive beauty of the sand bluffs along the San Diego coastline.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Celebrating At The Beach
Today we were let out of work at 3 pm!! A friend and I headed straight to the beach for a little post Canada Day, pre 4th of July Celebration.
Canada Day Cup-Cake At The Beach
The ocean temperature has really dropped - but once you start playing around in the waves you forget the water is cool and just have fun. The surf was big and and choppy. I managed to be put through the rinse cycle twice.
Canada Day Meets The 4th of July
The ocean temperature has really dropped - but once you start playing around in the waves you forget the water is cool and just have fun. The surf was big and and choppy. I managed to be put through the rinse cycle twice.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Surf Buddies
Unpacking Wanda* and heading out for an afternoon of chasing waves.
What a great day to be playing in the ocean. The water was warm and the sun was muted by the marine layer (typical June gloom). We stayed on the inside, riding waves that had already broken. It was just Jac and I and a few folks walking on the beach. Absolutely no one competing with us for waves. Perfect!
All smiles after an afternoon of playing in the ocean. Suprise, suprise we actually caught and rode a few waves!
*Wanda is my car.
What a great day to be playing in the ocean. The water was warm and the sun was muted by the marine layer (typical June gloom). We stayed on the inside, riding waves that had already broken. It was just Jac and I and a few folks walking on the beach. Absolutely no one competing with us for waves. Perfect!
All smiles after an afternoon of playing in the ocean. Suprise, suprise we actually caught and rode a few waves!
*Wanda is my car.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Santa Monica Beach
As I walked from the parking lot towards the pier, I noticed two older men in uniform carrying a flag draped casket. This was not an image I was expecting to encounter on my way to ride the ferris wheel. I followed along behind them to see what was happening.
I soon found myself at the Arlington West memorial.
I stood and watched as a procession of 18 caskets, one for each American soldier killed this week, was carried out. There was during the ceremony, the hustle on the pier calmed and may stopped and looked down in silent reflection.
Arlington West Mission Statement
In accordance with the Veterans For Peace Statement of Purpose, the Arlington West Mission Statement is to
- honor the fallen and wounded
- to provide a place to grieve
- to acknowledge the human cost of war
- to encourage dialogue among people with varied points of view to educate the public about the needs of those returning from war
Click here to learn more about the Arlington West project and Veterans for Peace.
As I sat in the sand watching the procession - a stray beach ball from kids playing near by rolled past me.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Day After
This morning I made my usual trek up the coast. I took my time and stopped in at the various beaches from Torrey Pines to Cardiff. It was eerie to see the beaches deserted - especially in the midst of a heat wave.
Cardiff State Beach Looking North
empty as far as the eye can see
Lifeguards patrolling Fletcher's Cove in Solana Beach
Scorching hot day and no one at the beach
Warning posted at the top of the stairs in Cardiff
A few die-hard surfers had paddled out - but otherwise the ocean was quiet. Today, there were no boogie boarders, swimmers or the usual sounds of kids playing in the water.
A few lone surfers in Cardiff
I stopped in Solana Beach at the beach at the main lifeguard area at Fletcher Cove. The parking lot full of satellite dishes and media trucks.
The local networks were squeezed over by the playground trying to eek out an interview with the fire chief while kids squealed on the swings and ran around them with soccer balls. CNN and Fox News had staked out the bluff top and grassy open area.
CNN reporting live
The park was an interesting mix of media circus, kids on the swings and a steady stream of locals who came to pay their respects and shed a tear as they looked out over the water in shock.
empty as far as the eye can see
Scorching hot day and no one at the beach
A few die-hard surfers had paddled out - but otherwise the ocean was quiet. Today, there were no boogie boarders, swimmers or the usual sounds of kids playing in the water.
I stopped in Solana Beach at the beach at the main lifeguard area at Fletcher Cove. The parking lot full of satellite dishes and media trucks.
The local networks were squeezed over by the playground trying to eek out an interview with the fire chief while kids squealed on the swings and ran around them with soccer balls. CNN and Fox News had staked out the bluff top and grassy open area.
The park was an interesting mix of media circus, kids on the swings and a steady stream of locals who came to pay their respects and shed a tear as they looked out over the water in shock.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tonight's e-mail
I subscribe to an e-mail group for local cycling enthusiasts. The following was in my inbox tonight.
To: tcsd@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:34:38 -0700
Subject: [TCSD] Brian here
Hello all,
It is with a heavy heart that I am sending out this email about Dave Martin. This morning during the group swim at Fletcher Cove, Dave Martin was the victim of a shark encounter. Fortunately he was with a group of friends living life to the fullest and while his fellow swimmers did everything they could to help, his wounds were to severe. He is survived by four adult children whom our thoughts, blessings and prayers are with!! Those who were with Dave, please know that your actions were nothing short of heroic!!! In what had to be a test many people would fail, you showed courage and the best of the human spirit for your friend. I hope your lives are filled with many blessings!!!!
Tonight the tri club will be hosting a get together at BnL, thank you Scott, from about 6:00 until..... This is an open invitation to come have a slice of pizza, take a walk to! the cove if you would like and be amongst your friends to show support for Dave's family, our community and each other.
Goodbye Dave!!! Tell Jim we all said hello and are doing well!!!!
Shark Attack
By now the story is making headlines. At a local North County beach there was a fatal shark attack this morning.
I was at work on a call with a client when one of my colleagues came by and started hovering looking worried and saying, "Don't go surfing - o.k.". I put my call on hold for a moment and looked her quizzically. She told me that just down the road in Solana Beach there had been a fatal shark attack. Helicopters were flying along the coast clearing the ocean of swimmers and surfers and trying to locate the shark.
The beaches along the North County Coast (from Torrey Pines to Carlsbad) are closed until Monday. We are heading into a heat wave - so looks like I will be spending some time at the pool this weekend.
Local News Coverage
CNN coverage
I was at work on a call with a client when one of my colleagues came by and started hovering looking worried and saying, "Don't go surfing - o.k.". I put my call on hold for a moment and looked her quizzically. She told me that just down the road in Solana Beach there had been a fatal shark attack. Helicopters were flying along the coast clearing the ocean of swimmers and surfers and trying to locate the shark.
The beaches along the North County Coast (from Torrey Pines to Carlsbad) are closed until Monday. We are heading into a heat wave - so looks like I will be spending some time at the pool this weekend.
Local News Coverage
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Summer Is Here?
It was another hot one today. It was 90 degrees in my apartment by mid-morning ... so I decided to grab a couple of books and park myself at the beach for the afternoon. Turns out I wasn't the only one with this idea. The beach was packed!!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday Bike Ride
Today was a gorgeous day! Full on summer weather. I took a bike ride up the coast. Along the way I stopped in Cardiff. I enjoyed a wedding on the beach and then about 200 feet away I sat and watched a local surf competition.
One of the things I enjoy most about spring time - is that everything is in bloom. The side of the road is teaming with colourful flowers.
I stopped at Torrey Pines State Park on the way back to sit on the beach and read for a bit. Currently, I am reading, Turn My Mourning Into Dancing by Henri Nouwen. The theme of the book is that the way through suffering is not in denial, but rather in living fully in the midst of the trials that come our way. A recommended read. Provides some good perspective on finding joy in the journey.
One of the things I enjoy most about spring time - is that everything is in bloom. The side of the road is teaming with colourful flowers.
I stopped at Torrey Pines State Park on the way back to sit on the beach and read for a bit. Currently, I am reading, Turn My Mourning Into Dancing by Henri Nouwen. The theme of the book is that the way through suffering is not in denial, but rather in living fully in the midst of the trials that come our way. A recommended read. Provides some good perspective on finding joy in the journey.
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