Bliss

I know I do a fair amount of complaining on this blog.  I try not to, but some days you finally see that the sound of your voice constantly bitching is actually drowning out the sound of the crashing waves, birds singing and subtle rush of the wind.

Today was one of those days.  Typically in Southern California, we have an on shore breeze which combines with our fairly dry atmosphere to keep it from getting too hot.  However, there is an occasional switch in the direction of the wind.  When this happens, the already dry and warm air rushes from the high desert and gets warmer, faster and dryer on its approach to the sea.  These are called Santa Ana winds- which we had today.

Because it was so beautiful today, I decided to walk along the Newport peninsula along the boardwalk.  Pictured above, you can see the small plane in the distance on its approach over the sea, something that typically only happens during the Santa Ana wind conditions.  We usually take off over the sea from SNA airport.  I decided it would be fun for my UK friends to see the beach crossing sign as well.  Click on the photo and you can see it in more detail.  (Just remember to hit your back button on the browser to get back here!)

View toward my house- which you can see on the bluff.

There is nothing like putting your feet into the ocean water and walking along in the warm sunshine.  Even when the water is very cold as it was today, it is fantastic.  The arctic water from the north flows down toward the equator, so our water is very VERY cold.  I had to get out of the water after a bit.  It was just too cold.

I wandered over the sand and listened to the sea and gulls and crashing waves.  Not a week ago, I was in London where it was rainy and cold (ok, maybe not quite as cold as our water, but very cold never the less).

I walked out on to the Newport pier and took some photos of the shore from that view point.  I include them as well, as I think they are beautiful and show the coast off to advantage.  I also took some photos of the surfers on the waves.  The waves were a decent size and there were some great surfers on the waves today- I am not sure my smart phone photo captures the action well, but you get the idea.

I was out there for a few hours actually as I lost track of time.  I have to say that is a fantastic feeling for someone like me who is always worried about what is happening, when things are ready, where I need to be next.

I am really glad I took the time to relax and walk.  I am also glad that I was able to spend that time reminding myself that life is pretty  decent, all things considered.  Good job, great friends, fantastic hubbie, incredible weather in a beautiful place where it is easy to simply be me.  That is something I think we should all remember - to be ourselves, be thankful for what we have and take time to smell the sea air.

Oh!  One last thing.  As I was walking back from the pier, I came across a man on his knees in front of a woman with a giant basket of red roses.  Two men jumped out near them and held up a sign.  She was clearly shocked and covered her mouth and cheeks to cover her blushing.  You see the photo here, a few minutes later, as they all posed for a photograph.  The sign reads 'Will you Marry Me?'  I presume she said yes otherwise posing for this photo seems odd.

So it was a great day for many of us today here in Newport!