San Clemente

** If you're one of the many people who have emailed me in the last several weeks, I can assure you I've read your email.  Most likely, I haven't yet responded to it and for that, I apologize.  I have visitors here for one more week.  I will be doing my best to get caught up with all of you in the next two weeks.  Thank you for your patience! **

Many of my virtual friends, around the world, have been sharing with me stories of winter.  They tell me stories of temperatures I've never experienced in my life (-49F anyone?).  I think maybe once, when I was in the mountains on a ski trip, I might have experienced 32 F/0 C.  In fact, I think a few little flakes swirled through the air and I got really excited because it was snowing.  

So, um, sorry - but that's all I know about cold weather.

However, since many of you are currently experiencing cold, I thought you might like to read about warm.

I woke up Sunday morning sweating.  

Aren't I attractive?

It was 77F/25C downstairs in our house, which means the bedrooms upstairs had to be at least 80F.  My house gets full morning sun and it heats up quickly in warm weather.

We decided to drive to San Clemente for breakfast at Fisherman's.  It's a quick drive from where I live and it promised to be a beautiful beach day.

I was not disappointed.

It was a spectacular morning.  

There were some big waves and we watched the surfers as we ate.  The waves would crash so hard against the pilings under the restaurant, the table would shake.  Ocean spray, from the crashing waves, shot up high enough to mist my feet through the planks of the floor.  (Tip: always wear flip flops if you plan to eat outdoors at Fisherman's.) 

This was the view straight in front of me while seated at my table:

PR was facing the opposite direction.  This is the view from where he sat:

 

We walked down the pier which is currently under (re)construction.  I wanted to get a photo looking back towards the town.  San Clemente is nestled in the hills and comes right down to the beach.

  

There were a lot of pelicans diving for food.  I have a weakness for pelicans.  They've only recently been removed from the endangered list.  In ideal conditions, pelicans can live up to 30 years.  Unfortunately, it's getting harder and harder for them to find "ideal" conditions.

Sadly, this pelican, perched on top of a pier building, had a piece of fishing line entangled near his beak.  Although the sight of the fishing line upset me, it didn't seem to faze him as he relaxed in the sun.  (He was staring at me, can you tell?)

 

We walked up and down the beach for a long time.  

 

It felt nice to be out on such a wonderful day.  Everyone we saw was enjoying themselves and had a smile on their face.

 

I convinced myself I was burning up thousands of calories with every step I took.

We walked, and we walked, until we ran out of sand.

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Comments

[Deidre]

Looks like a beautiful day!

Fisherman's sounds like a great place for breakfast!

It's supposed to get up to 100F this weekend in Melbourne, YIKES.

[Mo]

Fabulous photos, I'm a bit jealous. You have a weakness for pelicans?

I'm a pelican, can I borrow a few thousand dollars?

[Jan]

Oooo - more marvelous photos! I took pictures of ice and snow on our landscaping this weekend. *sigh* The only time I wake up in a sweat lately is due to menopause (rotten night sweats). It's supposed to be a blazing 6 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday night (better than -49!).

Oh, well - it'll make me get creative for this Project356 photography thing I've committed to (and yes, I should be committed).

[Erin]

photographs like this make me yearn for southern california...this morning its 19 degrees as i head out for work. a lovely morning...

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

Okay, these photos are just cruel and unusual punishment to those of us in New England today!!
Gorgeous. And gotta love that pelican!

[di]

I could certainly use a bit of warmth and sunshine right now... headed to Arizona in a few weeks to see family and I NEED the sunshine fix BAD!! Really BAD!!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

[Kelly]

Sigh - absolutely gorgeous!

[Pseudo]

You always make me so homesick for southern California... Next time I go - I am eating breakfast at this restaurant.

[stephen]

Yum, Yum, and YUM. Breakfast is my favorite meal to eat out, and I am VERY envious. That pelican is definitely giving you the eye. Or your plate. stephen

[Momma Pixie]

Beautiful! I think I could melt right into some of those shots!

[WebSavvyMom]

-->Absolutely Beautiful! I live on the East Coast and not too far from the beach but it's not that warm here right now.

[Erin]

I recently moved to Minnesota from Ca, and your blog makes me long for home and beaches and tans in January. We JUST reached 2 degrees and it is 2pm.....IT was -15 when I woke up. I am a California girl, and I miss my flip flops *or I call them rainbows, but no one here in MN knows what I am talking about*

[San Diego Momma]

I live in SoCal, and those pictures made me want to move here again.

But I have to say...I bet you got some east of the Mississippi'ers who want to kick your butt today.

[Mama Bub]

Gorgeous! You've reminded me why I love living here!

[jessica]

okay, I'll admit the weather here can be amazing. My parents are OVER the cold in a big way. STill they will never move out here. Dammit