I grew up on the sandy beaches of the east coast and admit that the dunes, the sea oats, the balmy water and clean, soft sand are beautiful.
But I prefer the Pacific now.
I took Sophie to see The Homeopath in Santa Monica this afternoon and then drove west a couple of miles, parked at our favorite beach in Ocean Park and walked down to the ocean. The sky was a brilliant blue and the surf was loud, the waves high and the water cold.
I like it that way.
A man walked into the ocean in a tiny bikini bottom that was printed with the American flag. Only in LA, a woman I knew that I had run into remarked. Yeah, I was just in South Carolina at the beach and you wouldn't have seen that, I added.
Or maybe you would but it would have been the Confederate flag.
Afterward, we sat at a little cafe on the beach and watched the people roll and skate and run and walk by. We ate a vegetable quesadilla until it got too cold.
Yes, you heard me right. Too cold for bare shoulders and legs -- about 65 degrees or so as the sun set and the water sparkled.
I can barely imagine that. That coolness.
ReplyDeleteLike a dream.
I grew up on the Atlantic and it has taken me many, many years to learn to love the Gulf. Now I love both. But I have to tell you that when I am at the Atlantic, there is something which whispers, "home."
I can't wait to maybe see the Pacific this weekend. I go to LA on Sunday for the very first time. Granted, for work M-W....but maybe I can sneak away? I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteMs. Moon -- You know, I have trouble knowing where my "home" is. It eludes me.
ReplyDeleteSJ -- You MUST sneak away and dip your toes in the Pacific.
This comment may be inane, but... the Pacific is just so BIG. I mean that in a good way. Perspective and what not.
ReplyDeleteThat is my ocean too. Mine doesn't have palm trees and sandy beaches though. It is still gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWas on the beach, about 40 miles north of you, at about the same time.But my usual beach lover was not a fan today.My mommy radar thinks something might be up.
ReplyDeleteHoping we can catch up soon. Bet you are missing the boys.
there is nothing better than an escape to the beach.
ReplyDeleteEven if there are men in American flag speedos.
We call them "banana slings". Love the photos and the images you create with words.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to go to the Elizabeth school of loving California/LA ... I'm still so drawn to the South, the Gulf, even the humidity.
ReplyDeleteI think the pacific is different just by the sheer vastness of it
ReplyDeleteYour mermaid looks quite at home - that was a good idea to go to the beach
I think such a day is exactly the sort of "restructuring" that Sophie, Inc. requires. Now if you could only hand your pile of bills to the nice man in the flag adorned bikini and have him walk them oh-so-carefully out to sea ...
ReplyDeleteI think I love every photo you have ever posted of Sophie on the beach. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteTrue about those flags. Next time I'm in Chesapeake Beach, I'll be keeping an eye out.
And that guy on the beach with his flag....I think I might have dated him. Hahaha. Well...Some guy I was thinking about dating a couple years back sent me pictures in his flag banana hammock. Geez.
I love to see Sophie walking barefoot in the sand. Perfect. Your day sounds as if it was lovely, though a bit chilly for what you're used to in summer. The ocean - really, any saltwater - is such a solace. I think it has God-given energy-healing power.
ReplyDeleteSeeing your photos reminded me that I have not been to the beach once this summer. Shame on my when it is not that far. Just over the hill to SF though that is not the beach where I frolicked as a child. That would be Monterey and Carmel.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Sophie and knowing what a time to share the moment with her. Cool or not the pounding waves and air do much for the soul.
Yes...people watching is awfully fun to do at the beach. The sights one sees!
I love the pictures of Sophie at the beach. She must have enjoyed this day with you, in her favorite place. Time out for both of you.
ReplyDeleteThat one particular photo where Sophie is standing, wind blowing her hair, is fantastic. She looks ethereal and gorgeous. And I really like the burnished gold frames you put on these pictures.
ReplyDeleteThose bikinis are often referred to as "budgie-smugglers," down here in Oz. Love the Pacific, though it's on the East Coast here :D
ReplyDeleteI was on the Pacific coast once (maybe twice), in Oregon. Oh, the cold cold wind and the gray gray water! But the tidal puddles, and the sea life in there, were magnificent.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a day out with the girl in the sun and sand. We, in Nor Cal, have been having idyllic weather this summer, which, for me, means warm and sunny days and cool mornings and nights.
ReplyDeletei'm always amazed at the vast difference between the two coasts. i've never been to CA, but i like the sounds of that 65 degree weather...
ReplyDeleteHello, thanks for dropping by my blog. It is a pleasure to meet you and I am learning that you are one courageous woman sharing your life with us.
ReplyDeleteBeing an east coast (Canada) boy and having lived on the west coast of Canada and having seen 'your' beaches too, it would be a difficult task indeed to choose. They are so alike yet sooo different too.
I can see why Sophie loves the coast...very relaxing to hear the sounds of the surf.