The Beach 2X!

Who ever said that salt water is bad for skin never lived in San Diego. Rather, I find it quite invigorating. I think it's interesting that, although I've lived on the coast (Havelock, NC and Pensacola, FL), I've never spent a lot of time on the beach.

Until today.

I went to the beach not once, but twice - in an eight hour span.

The first time was at Torrey Pines with Nathaniel. Hand-in-hand we walked along the beautiful Pacific, enjoying the sights and sounds. I nearly peed my pants when we spotted the dolphins surfing in the waves. For a moment I thought I had seen an unmentionable with really big teeth. But alas - no. Instead, we tried to count dolphins. But there were too many.

So instead we climbed a really big cliff with stairs thoughtfully built in. I counted 61 and then decided that counting was stupid when I should instead be focusing on important stuff, like breathing. But the views were stunning. Didn't spot any unmentionables with really big teeth, but there were lots of kelp beds and surfers.

And ocean. Lots and lots and lots of calm, beautiful, sparkling Pacific Ocean.

My second time at The Beach was while running. I set out from our hotel in South Carlsbad, watched the sun sink beneath the horizon, and enjoyed a 60 min run along PCH 101 and then onto the hard-packed sand. After turning around at the Power Plant south of The Lagoon (sorry - still learning names here), I made my way back in the darkness.

However I noticed that the tide was rising. And quite rapidly. It seemed that my footprints that had been half way between the cliff bottom and surf's edge were now being covered by the water.

Not being sure how rapidly the tide came in, I quickened my pace. Yes, I should have checked the tide chart like my Dad used to do while he ran along California beaches in the '70s, but I didn't. The last thing that I wanted was a Bay of Fundy type torrent. Jen Harrison would have been proud of my high tempo effort, especially after not working out while driving cross country.

In other news - absolutely FANTASTIC news, I might add - Nathaniel and I are signing for our place tomorrow morning at 10. I am still in disbelief. The only bad thing that we can thing of, is that the parking garage takes a bunch of time to get to. But otherwise, the wood floors, layout, friendly price, and the fact that its within walking distance of The Beach AND The Carlsbad Village, well, we're over The Moon about it. So for my Northern cold-weathered-counterparts, any time you want to stay and train in Sunny SD - my house is your house.

Beware of the House Monster and Mini Monster, though. Walk without sturdy shoes and pants at your own risk.

And for those inquiring minds, the kitties did exceptionally well during the drive. Apparently Anabelle falls asleep to car sounds. Tabbitha, though, voices her displeasure. But after two or three hours every day, she stopped meowing and would fall asleep somewhere in the car. I didn't have the heart to leave her in the kennel for the entire time, so she usually perched herself in the backseat. Although she did curl up on my lap a few times.

At least she was warm: all that cat girth kept me warm at higher elevations. Fellow travelers even commented on her size; the funniest being, "Wow, he's a huge cat! Is he pregnant?"

Um - where to begin with that one?

And no, Nathaniel and I didn't use cell phones. So much of our trip was through areas without any reception. Instead, my very intelligent hubby thought we should use walkie talkies. I think he was a little annoyed at my chipper "Roger that!" and "Copy, over!"

I guess he hears stuff like that on the radio all the time. I did think about asking him what he was wearing, but 34 hours in the car doesn't do much for one's love life. So instead we would make random comments about passing scenery, how we were holding up, and the kitties. Nathaniel wasn't too impressed when I held the walkie talkie close to Tabbitha's meows.

Humbug. If it got real old real fast for him, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park for me.

But that's aside from the point. We're here, we made it safe and sound, and we have a great place to live. Tomorrow we sign and within a week our "stuff" will arrive. The Pacific Coast Highway beckons and I think its high time that I take my bike for a spin to greet the morning light.

Who knows, I may even see an unmentionable with really big teeth. You never know. On second thought, nix that. I'll keep my eyes on the road. Last time I took them off out here, I crashed. I'll focus forward, and love every minute of it.

Wish you were here! (sorry - I couldn't resist!)