L.A. Times - Venice Beach

 

Since moving to Texas whenever we mention we're from California ,everybody ask or assumes we're from Los Angeles. Actually in all my 37 years of being a Californian I've never been to L.A.

Last month we went on a  mission during a hurricane approaching our gulf coast, heading to wildfires in our home state ,smack in the middle of a pandemic! Time is of the essence when life grabs you by the throat, and Mama Bear don't play when it comes down to protecting the tribe at all cost.

On the return trip back home as we were heading out of California, I asked my daughter how far was the nearest beach. Santa Cruz and San Francisco were out of the question because of the fires and we were in So Cal already. Red Hot Chili Peppers singing about under the bridge and a 45 minute away response from the back seat had me mapping us down to Venice Beach. We didn't come all this way not to touch the sand and feel the power of the Pacific Ocean we miss so much.

It's crazy how  Pandora just kept playing music as we were driving through L.A. about the places we were passing by.  A spiritual journey pathed us on the destination. When life gets so synchronistic you stop questioning if what you chose to do was right. Go with the flow, time is but a construct at some pivotal points in life.

Friday morning work traffic in Los Angeles is crazy, but we made it down to Venice Beach.The first thing you see is homeless tent cities everywhere, and the transients roaming around. Being from the hood, we knew what to expect. We were called Rats and asked if we were having a nice f*$%ing day from a woman who thought we were following here. In retrospect we were also blessed by a man who showed gratitude for $2.00 towards a cup of coffee.

First kiss of the day, with gratitude that we are all together as a family again. Behind us is a Mark di Suvero sculpture called "Declaration".  I declare that nothing about this day was planned, but I was feeling blessed as the sea breeze filled my lungs under clear blue sky's at the beach, under the golden California sunshine.

SKATEBOARDING

VENICE GRAFFITI WALLS   Location- Ocean Front Walk Venice, C.A. 90291

FLAGS FROM DRUM DANCE PRAY- ONE LOVE

GRAFFITI WALL COLUMN

CALIFORNIA LOVE

SANTA MONICA PIER  Location-200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, C.A. 90401

 

PRIDE LIFEGUARD STATION  Location-998 Ocean Walk Front 90291

SURF & MANGONADA

LIFEGUARD STATION & ROOMS WITH A VIEW

"LUMINARIES OF PANTHEISM"  Location-2201 Ocean Front Walk -Paradise Project

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS location- Speedway & 19th Venice, C.A.

"MORNING SHOT"  JIM MORRISON MURAL

 Location- 1811 Ocean Front Walk Speedway & 18th Place, Venice C.A.

So now when it comes up as us being Californians in Texas we can say "no we are not from Los Angeles but we've been there"........... and Arizona & New Mexico. They are the roads that lead back home in either direction.

P.S.  Although California was and still is on fire, we didn't encounter any flames directly, the hurricane had missed our neck of the woods, and the mission that spurred this roadtrip is an ongoing journey.

Devil's Slide-San Mateo

Intrigue got the best of us as we were cruising Pacific Coast Highway 1 towards San Francisco. A  building on the hill, what could it be? After parking in the designated parking lot and a stroll down a paved walkway with the ocean waves lapping at the rocky cliffs as our view, we arrived at the foot of Devil's Slide Military Bunker hill. Climbing up to the vista is worth the exploration. The once World War II observation point is now a graffiti artist canvas. The view from the top is breathtaking on all sides and a guarantee to clear your head, salty sea mist is amazing for the body and soul. The drive through the tunnel takes us to the city were I always leave my heart💙

Side Notes:

                  . Park in the designated parking lot not on the side off the road, police will ticket               

                  . not recommended for toddlers, sharp drop off on all sides of the vista

                  .located between San Mateo & Pacifica

Picture Poll

Can I ask a  small favor from you dear readers of mine, it will be painless I swear. I wanted to know if you could help me pick a picture to submit to a magazine contest. " I got as much chance as anybody else, right Grandpa Joe?" If you got that last phrase we are kindred spirits. This Gypsy has been on the road and shooting everything in site {with my Canon of course }, which I will share with you once all the home and school activities lull into summer break ....oh yeah it's almost here. Until then help a Mama out because I cannot decide which photo to summit and time is of the essence. Without further ado please pick a pic.

 1.  Pigeon Point Of View

2.  The Edge Of Earth

 3.  Bunker Hill On Devil's Slide

 4. Getting Around The City

 5. Cable Cars Of San Francisco

 6.  A Day In The Bay

Thanks in advance!

Natural Bridges State Beach

Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz California is one of my favorite new beaches I discovered this summer. The drive down West Cliff  from the Boardwalk is full of majestic landscapes and an array of luxury homes. Once you get to the beach there are tide pools to explore to the right of the main beach. Another sight to behold is the Monarchs over-wintering habitat in the nearby Eucalyptus grove. The butterflies start their return in October and so do we. Turns out we are still going to the 150th Boardwalk birthday celebration after all, and I'll have my camera ready to capture the beauty of the Mariposas.

Brighton Beach ~ Bolinas

Each beach I visit has certain charm and experience attached to it. I'm way behind in sharing my oceanic photos from the West Coast beaches I visit, so this week I take you back to the beach. These moments in the sand and sun are from Brighton Beach Bolinas, California.

There is a consistant marine layer here, Bolinas is situated in a lagoon of the Pacific Coast. The air is so fresh and salty that my nose was draining all day, it was very therapuetic. When coming down to the beach past the Brighton art walls you can go either right or left. Here is the view to the left, were we decided to chill for the day.

 Here is a view to the right. There are a few steps that lead to a small overlook . You must get on the beach before hightide or you can't, same goes for when you want to leave.

We found a perfect spot to set up camp, complete with a teepee of all things! Wow we were amused to find such a structure to enjoy. The view up the hill behind us held another treasure.

Does this look familiar? A huge peace sign just hanging there as if to say "hey has this trip brought you the peace your were seeking"? A resounding yes leaped from my soul.

Another awesome beach structure. This hut is big enough to fit a small adult and is perfect little hide out for kids. The entrance was lined on both sides with drift wood.

 This is a beachcombers paradise. The variety of rocks and shells that get swept to shore are so diverse. Rocks in all shapes and sizes were smoothly tumbled, and some had perfect holes worn into them. We found pumice and some beach glass also.

 The girls looking for shells and heart shaped rocks. I'll have to admit we did take home a collection of sea treasures, besides the memories made here.

 More exploration on the "Groin". Off in the distance behind the fog you can spy the Stinson Beach Community.

In architecture the term groin refers to the projecting curved line along where two insecting vaults meet. Good to know so the surfers don't approach the slab underneath.

 Along the groin these two young surfers were swimming then scooping up something wiggly with there hands. As I approached I asked if I could take a photo.

 Handful of sand crabs. This photo doesn't do this moment justice these were crawling quickly like scattering scarabs in "The Mummy". Kinda creepy and cool at the same time.

Speaking of surfing I was amazed at all the "Grommets" (surfer slang for young surfer) out surfing without a care in the world. It was as if the parents waved goodbye from their bungalows and yelled " honey have a great surf ,come home before dinner" type of life. 

 Despite the sign,  I did not witness any naked surfing. Maybe this is a naked surfing spot but we were there on a Tuesday. Sometimes the photographer has to have a photo op.

 Before we packed up for the day {M} had to play in the epic sand pit. All day kids came and went shoveling sand and playing out adventures.

Summer is dwindling down which means beach visits will give way to crisp days in other nature settings. I honestly need the beach! To me the beach is were I throw all my worries and stress out to the sea, and then rejuvenate with all the elemental magic the water and sand have to offer. In the next post I will share another wonderful beach spot. This weekend brings dreams come true, {S} is turning 16 soon and wishes to celebrate in Santa Cruz, so I'm off to be a beach bum once again before it's time for sweaters and boots.