Surfin' USA

We took the 53-minute light rail Sprinter from Escondido to Oceanside, on the Pacific Ocean. It was the first cool, cloudy day we've had here, but we still relished the sight and sounds of the waves, and the diverse folks enjoying the sea in a variety of ways.

The younger ones, from toddlers to these serious surfers we encountered on our way to the beach, seemed impervious to the cool weather and light winds, while those of us of more mature years strolled or fished from Oceanside's iconic pier. At 1,942 feet (592 meters), it's the longest pier on the California coast, and provides a fine view of the curling, foamy waves, the surfers, and the people on the beaches.

I took some lovely photos of the sea (see extra), but doubt that I'll ever encounter such obliging surfers again! (Full disclosure -- it was Phil who asked if he could take their picture, and I was delighted to follow suit.)

Tuesday is our last full day in Escondido; on Wednesday, we'll head east to spend our last night in southern California in Desert Hot Springs, outside Palm Springs. It's back to Bellingham on Thursday -- no more kumquats, tangerines, or Meyer lemons picked right off the tree, but plenty of other delights, and a chance to catch up with your journals!

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