Category Archives: Lifestyle

Showing some of life in southern California.

A Local Treasure in Dana Point

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The Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area

The Dana Point Headlands Interpretive Center

You may have read that our south facing beaches here in California have had enormous waves the past week or so. The authorities are asking us to stay away, because several people have been injured while surfing or swimming. This morning our curiosity got the better of us and we decided to have a look. We drove to Dana Point and had lunch at Smokey’s House of BBQ on Pacific Coast Highway. We are familiar with Smokey’s because our San Clemente Scooter Club often meets there for dinner.
After lunch, we went to the Dana Point Marina, where we drove up the very steep Cove Road, and then spotted Green Lantern. This was a road we had never noticed before, even though for many years we kept a sail boat in the Dana Point Marina.

We turned on to the street to see where it led. It was then that we spotted the sign announcing The Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area. We parked and went in to the Interpretive Center. We were welcomed by two docents who showed us around and told us the building had been there for four years, which was quite a surprise to us. They also told us about the hiking trails that were part of the conservation area. After looking at the exhibits, we headed out on the trail.

Martin walking

Here you can see my husband, Martin, walking the sandy trail, with the beautiful Pacific in the distance. The trails were easy to follow, and very well tended.

 

ocean view 2      panoramic view

 

 

 

 

The view was absolutely breathtaking. We hiked for a little over thirty minutes and then turned back. We had not planned on a hike, so were not carrying water, or sun screen. We were so happy to have found this wonderful treasure, so close to home. We plan to return soon, carrying the proper supplies, and hike farther next time. Oh, by the way, we never did get to see the waves up close. That is probably a good thing as the lifeguards are busy enough, without us adding to their work.

 

 

New Zealand, A Wonderful Place to Visit

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Boat viewNow that we are retired, people sometimes ask if we get to travel. The answer is yes, to visit our three kids.We then get that poor you look from those who don’t really know where our children live. Those who do, know our children live in beautiful places well worth visiting. This photo of Tiare Iti  (Little Flower in Polynesia) belongs to our younger daughter, who lives in New Zealand. It is spring there, and as we await winter, they look forward to their summer. Nicole sent these photos to us this morning and I could not resist sharing them.  She is readying her boat for the summer sailing season.

 

inside boatAs you can see , it is very colorful and cozy down below. Last spring I spent a month living aboard Tiare Iti and it was great fun.

 

 

 

Boat libraryTui life jacket Here you see part of Nicole’s book shelf, and her cat, Tui, wearing a life jacket. Tui is named for the black and white New Zealand Tui bird.

New Zealand is a  lovely country and we are very fortunate to have a great reason to visit often.

I am looking forward, to sharing with you, in future posts, the beautiful places where our two other children live.

 

 

 

 

 

A Scooter Trip Down Memory Lane

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backyard 2 Yesterday was a beautiful day and perfect for a ride on our motor scooters. We headed  into the canyon past Cook’s Corner. A big favorite with local motorcyclists. There is always an enormous crowd on weekends and especially onSundays. We made our way along the curving tree lined road past O’Neil Park, eventually reaching the coast, where we turned south to San Clemente. As we passed Doheny State Beach, I could smell the smoke from smoldering beach fires and I was also aware of the smell of sea weed and salt water. All of these reminded me of  high school summers spent at Huntington Beach.

We turned around in San Clemente and headed home through San Juan Capistrano, with all of its memories.

San Juan Garden

The first time I set foot in the beautiful gardens of the Mission San Juan Capistrano I was twelve years old and living in Toronto, Canada. We were visiting relatives who had moved to California. I remember how amazing the mission was to me. Two years later my family moved to Southern California. One thing about riding a scooter, it gives you lots of time to think, especially if traffic is lite. As an adult I worked for a dentist in Capistrano and stabled a horse there as well. So many happy memories of time spent there came back to me as we rode along.

Then  it was time to eat and we stopped to grab a quick burger. You can probably guess where the quickest stop was. Yep, McDonald’s.  I felt like I had spent the day in a time wharp, so when we stepped into the Ladera Ranch McDonald’s which happenes to be decorated with a 50s theme I just had to take a photo of the wall.  We had chosen the perfect place to eat after a memory filled day.

McDonalds

 

 

 

 

A Black and White Baby Blanket

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While knitting a baby blanket using a lavender, pink, and blue variegated yarn, I suddenly remembered back to a year ago, when our neighbor was having her first baby. On her registry was a request for a black and white baby toy. That is when I learned that babies see black and white before they begin to see colors. I, like most knitters, have been creating baby blankets from pale pastel shades. The idea of a black and white baby blanket intrigued me. I quickly looked through my stash of yarn, but no black, and certainly not enough white. I could not get the black and white blanket out of my head, even though my current project was only half finished. Before I knew it, I was on my way to my favorite craft store to buy the needed yarn. I also purchased a new set of circular needles. I prefer to knit with circular needles, finding them more comfortable to work with and less likely to slide from the stitches.

111 width=

Shortly after returning home with my purchase, I cast on 111 stitches using the black yarn. I liked the idea of a black border for the blanket.

knit3

Next it was time to change over to white and begin a new pattern. I liked the look of the black and white combination. I was not sure if I should have changed the pattern, but I wanted to keep going before I made my decision.

Cosseette and blanket

Our Senegal parrot, Cossette is inspecting my work. She wasn’t sure she liked black and white at first, but seemed ok with it as her curiosity got the better of her.

Black and White blanket Several weeks have passed, and the blanket is finished. I tend to be a slow knitter and friends tell me I should learn to crochet, because it is faster. I will have to think about that.

I like the contrast of the black and white, but it does not seem quite right for a new born. I have a feeling that I’ll be going back to my pastel shades. In case you are wondering, Cossette was asleep for the night when I took this photo, so I had to find some stand ins.