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| Iconic sight on the boardwalk |
The sun rose over the eastern canyons of Laugna
Beach with a brightness that promised well needed warmth.
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| Thank goodness for the rising sun |
Warmth requested at a beach community in Southern
California even during winter seemed a little farfetched but when J and L left
their suite at the Laguna Canyon Resort for a day’s outing recently the
thermometer in the car registered a dismal 32 degrees – yes, freezing!
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| May not look like it but it was cold!! |
Uncalled for – undemocratic – unearthly – unwarm –
and downright chilly.
The Resort was only a minute from the Coast Highway
but in that short drive we gained the sight of the blue ocean and ten degrees.
The day was looking promising for wandering the sights of the eclectic world of
Laguna Beach with its myriad of enticing shops and delicious restaurants.
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| Chilly but a sweater did the trick. |
What better place to have a breakfast while watching
the glint of sun skid across the Pacific toward the outlying island of Catalina
only twenty-six miles to the west? We found the Cliff and a marvelous breakfast
while watching paddle boarders making their way southward over the clear blue
waters.
Yes, the day was going to be fabulous with the clear skies, full
stomach and nothing on the agenda – literally nothing.
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| Laguna Beach - a beautiful place to visit |
Laguna Beach was founded in 1887 even though people
had been living in the region far before that; the Native American tribe Tongva
lived there centuries before the white settlers ventured down the canyons created
millions by the San Diego Creek carving its way through the San Joaquin Hills.
Then in 1944, the actual town of Laguna Beach was created and the rest is
history.
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| New Orleans? No, Laguna Beach. |
It is a city rich in history and things to do –
obviously the clear waters beckon surfers, paddle boarders, kayakers, divers,
and just those who want to push bare toes into the white sand looking out over
the calming effect of the Pacific Ocean. Just a few miles south of Newport
Beach lies this almost villagesque locale which boasts over three million
tourists per year making tourism its number one industry.
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| A view and a cold local brew - Paradise |
In the afternoon visitors often grab cocktails or a bite from rooftop restaurants with only the horizon for their view.
Sunsets are
something to behold as the light slowly dissipates into the blue waters just
over the curvature of the earth and sometimes – just sometimes that green flash
can be seen when the sun says goodnight. J has been fortunate enough to see two
of these extremely rare phenomena in Mexico but not on this trip to Laguna
Beach though the sunsets were spectacular in themselves.
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| Unfortunately not our photograph |
Three days, actually two and a half when including
drive time, with no plans was a perfect way to settle down after the holidays.
Of course, there will be a couple more follow-up blogs about this trip and what
was leaned about what is going on in Laguna Beach but for now it was just nice
to write about doing nothing but enjoying the time together. Sure, we relaxed but the camera and notes were part of the mini-vacation as always.
