California Dreamin' Part 2

The weather held beautifully - hot and sunny all week. On American Thanksgiving Day (can't believe what a big holiday that is iin the States) we walked and sat on Newport Beach for about 5 hours. It was glorious, and great fun watching the young'uns try to get up on boards.

This picture is at a different beach, and doesn't show how high up we were! We were definitely not taking a step back!
At La Jolla, we saw these sea lions(?)/seals(?) - I think sea lions. No, they are not dead, just enjoying a rest in a quiet cove, safe from the waves which were crashing just outside the sea wall.
Same sea lions, different view.
We met up with a former player/assistant coach/teammate(?) and his girlfriend. He has been posted in Carlsbad for the past two years, and did a great job of showing us the sights. We would have had to make extensive use of the GPS to find the same sights. We got there just in time as he is returning home shortly as the result of a job transfer. He's really excited about coming back just in time for winter!
These shots are in no particular order. This is one of the hot tubs at the hotel. This one seemed to be the best temperature for us.
This pool was not the right temperature! It was very large (this shows only about 1/3) and as far as I could tell, not heated at all. Only my toe went in.
You may have gathered that we loved the area! I guess I retired just a bit too soon, or I would have been able to put a down payment on a cute little summer place on the ocean (not!)
Christmas begins the minute Thanksgiving is over, with Black Friday, supposedly the best shopping day of the year. Santa in one mall here comes complete with a carousel ride and a train ride. Like everything else down here, though, nothing is free, not even the picture of the Big Man himself. Actually, I never did see Santa, as his "house" was completely enclosed, so you had to stand in line to get a glimpse of him.
Volleyball was mentioned before as being popular on the beach, but yes, there were dream courts as well. This one in Laguna Beach is just steps from the ocean. Another we saw on Newport Beach was part of a school playground. I can't imagine having to get kids to come in from recess, when recess means being on courts and playground structures right on the beach!
Now, after Australia, I love lorikeets. In Australia (Cairns and Port Douglas specifically), the lorikeets were known as nature's alarm clocks, because they gathered and flew and made lots of noise at sunrise and sunset. However, I do not like them enough to have them sit on my arms, back, head etc. People at the Wild Animal Park paid for nectar to hold, so that the birds would use them as sitting posts. Not my idea of fun, but I did like to watch.
Very strange to see Thanksgiving decorations on the beach. Pumpkins were very popular. In the heat, maybe they made themselves into pies!
Just one of the many beach pictures. Those of you who know me, know how much I like sand and surf and heat. I was in heaven. The next entry will be just a Smilebox of beach scenes, similar to the one of mountains, so you can skip it if you don't like scenery!

A couple of videos. The first is of flamingoes at the zoo - and I thought my grandchildren were noisy! The second is of one poor little guy who couldn't find mom, and was probably in the wrong place because he didn't look like anyone else on the beach! The others were definitely giving him the cold shoulder.

California Dreamin' (Part 1)

California dreamin'...on such a winter's day! Here we are out for a stroll on Laguna Beach - just kidding! Seriously, I hope we will still be walking the beach hand in hand when we are the age of these folks.
Thanks to our relatives who have a time share, we are staying in a lovely Hyatt. While it's not beach front, it is very close (we could walk if we chose to do so). Since the whole coastline is beach around here, the problem becomes which beach to choose. This is our room from outside, and yes, it is warm enough to have the door open!

Just had to take one photo of the bird of paradise. This seems to be the most common plant around here. How expensive are they at home?
We spent Monday at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park and saw many exotic animals.

This fellow seemed quite content to pose continually.
View of the range where most of the animals are, from the condor enclosure. As far as zoos go, this seems to be one of the better ones, as the animals have lots of room. I have to think that the African animals here are happier than ones in other parts of the country. We saw two giraffes who had arrived recently from Minnesota, and they looked relieved to be here!

Once again, I find it odd to be in a warm place in November and December. Also, with American Thanksgiving the day after tomorrow, it feels strange indeed. One cartoon here talks about "Thanksweenmas", implying that all three holidays blend into each other. This sign in Laguna Beach was one of many which blended a few thoughts.
Today's lunch location. A glass of wine, a plate of shrimp and chips, by the ocean with the sun on my face - it doesn't get any better than this.
More of Laguna Beach. And yes, the water is cold (but not too cold for some brave souls).

Haven't shown you yet the pictures of Balboa Island, a great little (and very trendy) area within walking distance, but that will be in California Dreamin' Part 2, along with whatever else we see in the next 3 days. Stay tuned!

Just some thoughts...

Today is Remembrance Day, and I guess I am feeling a little sentimental as I listen to all the memorials on the radio. When I was at school, the assembly for Remembrance Day was always the one I valued the most, and we worked very hard to help the children understand why it was important to cherish those memories. I always felt that it was not just the people who served that we were remembering, but that we were remembering whole generations. Yes, we acknowledge the sacrifice that those who were in the armed forces made, but more and more I came to appreciate the sacrifices also made by those who didn't serve . When something happens to one person, there is a ripple effect into families, friends, the community and beyond. We are all affected in one way or another.
As all of you who are reading this know, the last four years we in this family have been dealing with the issues involved in the transition of two of our parents from independence to total dependence. I have mostly watched as my husband and his brother have been there every step of the way for their mom and dad. They have had many conversations with Josette at Veterans Affairs, and their dad and not directly but by extension, their mom, have received many supports through that organization. It seems only fitting that they should receive those benefits, as five years of their lives were put on hold as the Second World War dictated what they could do, if and when they could be together, where they would live, if they could start a family, and how they would support that family. I know my in-laws would be the first to say that, in spite of all that, they are the lucky ones, because they are here to receive those supports. Many times in the last year, my father-in-law has said openly, often during the most painful times, that he has been the most fortunate of men, that he had the opportunity to travel, to be with the ones he loves, to see his grandchildren grow up, to witness the arrival of six great grandchildren, and to enjoy good health for over 88 years.
Today I am remembering the good times we have all had together. Here is my favourite picture of two very special people.