Sunday, January 26, 2014

A Walk on Huntington Beach Pier

Here in Wisconsin, snow has been falling steadily for hours. We're heading into another cold snap; wind chill warnings are in effect, and all the area schools are closed for the next two days.

It's hard to believe that just over a week ago, I was strolling along a California beach where girls in bikinis were playing volleyball. And since I skipped my Sunday walk today (opting instead to stay indoors for tea and knitting), I will share some photos of that warmer walk. :)

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My sister and I had spent a frenetic week sorting and packing my dad's belongings, engaging a moving company, and dealing with unexpected family problems. Things finally slowed down on Friday night. The moving van had come and gone; the family problem was, if not resolved, under some sort of control. We felt we had earned a break, so we headed off to Huntington Beach for some ocean breezes and a walk on the pier.

We were lucky enough to get there just in time for sunset. The air was beautifully clear, and Catalina Island could be seen floating like a jewel on the horizon:


Flags fluttered in the strong breeze...


...and as the sun sank lower, the oil rigs began to twinkle with light.


Silvery ripples kissed the sand...


...and surfers lingered, still hoping to catch that elusive wave.


Sea birds (probably brown pelicans) wheeled and dived, sometimes singly...


...sometimes in amazingly coordinated groups. I tried to get a good diving shot, but they were too fast to catch on camera.

This bird, however, was happy to pose for me:


We looked northwest, towards the Palos Verdes peninsula, and watched the lights come up like tiny stars on the shores of Long Beach:


Then turned westwards to watch the sun sink over Catalina:


All at once it was dusk, and the lights of Huntington beach were shining out behind us.


With spirits refreshed and lungs full of salt air, we headed back down the pier, passing a kite shop selling delightful spinners:


Then it was time to say goodbye to the ocean and head inland.

The next morning, we flew home.

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Now that my dad has moved to Wisconsin, who knows when we'll see the Pacific again? I'm glad that our last view of it was such a lovely one.

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23 comments:

  1. You tugged at my heart with Catalina Island! Glad you had a nice visit to so cal. I used to live there but moved to Fresno nine years ago and don't get back much. I love the central valley though so I'm not too upset.

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  2. Thanks for the perfect visit to the beach, Sue! And what a fantastic sunset you saw! Your post reminded me of the wonderful years we were able to live in Crescent City, CA, and see some similar sights. The bike spinner has your name on it, I think :) Wishing you and yours well as you settle in to new routines. xx

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  3. I know you worked hard while in CA, but I'm glad you treated yourself to some time at the beach to recoup, and also that you shared that wondrous place with us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. What wonderful Pics and colours, oh my, the colours, they are so vibrant - your post has done my heart good, thank you! All the very best with the changes afoot Sue, and blessings on you and family! Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  5. It looks so beautiful there. And so warm too!

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  6. Very different than what is going on in your parts. It's amazing that just a short plane ride away the weather and landscape can be so varied. The NVO grew up in east Los Angeles...left for college, never went back. I can't get him to want to go back; a trip to Disneyland, at least, would be fun. ;-) I hope for a good reason for you to return if you so desire.

    Lots of love being sent to you, Sue, as you embark on this new chapter. Warm wishes to you are your pops.

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  7. Gosh, it is beautiful, in its own kind of way, and so warm looking too! It must be such a contrast to be back home in the snow. Hope your dad is settling well. Juliex

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  8. Great pictures, we've walked there too. California is a great place to visit, but I'm glad we don't live there any more. When we go out to visit family people always ask "Don't you miss California?" and our answer is no, our family yes, California no. Good luck on getting your Dad settled in.

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  9. Beautiful pictures. Those oil rigs look pretty close to shore. Are they?

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  10. Gorgeous beach walk, I am so glad you got to experience some beauty while you were in California getting things settled. Hugs to you and stay inside!
    Meredith

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  11. Well, we all might be freezing because of the low temps, but I assure you with this awesome blog post, our hearts are very warn indeed! So glad your Dad is closer now, and that you and your sister got a chance to take a moment and just enjoy each others company and take in the awesome views.

    Hey, what are you knitting?

    Blessings always

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  12. It must have been so nice to spend time there. My husband's family is from San Diego and we used to visit there relatively often while his grandfather was still alive. I loved going there in the winter, it was just so pleasant all the time. Thanks for sharing your trip.

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  13. In this weather a trip to the beach feels great. Lovely pictures. Stay warm. Hopefully the weather will warm up soon.

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  14. IM so glad to see water without ice on it!!! how wonderful. God bless your father

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  15. Thank you very sharing this with us Sue the pictures are beautiful, it looks like an amazing place. Stay snug and warm :)

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  16. I'm so glad you two took the time to take a walk before you left. It was a wonderful walk indeed. Such a gorgeous sunset and I'm sure the water and the waves helped to soothe your soul. Blessings, Tammy

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  17. Hello Sue, You are so fortunate to be able to take a break from the continuious awful Winter we are having. OH, those Beach, Ocean and the beautiful Birds made me smile. Soooooooooooooooo very lovely to see. I especially LOVED that sunset. Turly beautiful. Thanks for sharing these photos. they made my day. Hugs Judy

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  18. I'm so glad you have your dad close by now. Perhaps the trauma we go through while changing circumstances helps us appreciate the quiet moments a little more. So sorry I missed your layover phone call, but it was such a pick me up to hear your voice first thing after a hard to end vacation. Sorry for not using dashes... I'm getting lazy on my phone!

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  19. Hi Sue! Thanks for your kind comment on my last post. My jaw is on the mend, finally. Loved your post on the Huntington Beach Pier. I've been there a number of times over the years. I lived in Garden Grove from 1974 - 1980 ~ even have a degree from Cal State Fullerton. I loved your silvery ripples shot! It was fun to catch up on your recent posts ~ plenishing from my PEI past and your stop in DIA! Loved T looking wistfully at the mountains. I also really enjoyed your photos from your flight ~ I'm always shooting the exact same things! I hope you are continuing to survive the deep freeze! Take care!

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  20. I find that there's something invigorating and alive about dipping down briefly into another very different location. I like to think back on those odd little breaks and amaze myself that that other life is still carrying on over there in that place as oblivious to me and my world as it was when I stopped in.

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  21. Lovely pictures, sun oh glorious sun!! It just lifts the spirits doesn't it? As I sit here and out the window it is grey and misty, at least the rain has stopped for a few minutes. Nice that your Dad will be close to you.

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  22. I really appreciate it when you share pics of snow because I see so little of it and love it so ... but this post was just as welcome ... it is grey and damp and chilly here, how wonderful some sun and sea breezes would be :)

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  23. Oh Sue, it's like another world from where you live......a shame the computer doesn't have a special effects button......salt air, screeching gulls and the sound of waves lapping the beach. I could almost hear them.
    Glad you were able to enjoy your walk and soak up the warmth before heading home.

    Claire x

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