I went down to California this weekend with my friend Josh. We were hoping to snag a cancellation at one of the campsites at Carlsbad state beach (or any of the other state beaches nearby). But apparently you need to be in-line at 4 am if you have any hope of getting a cancellation. So we decided to look for a somewhat secluded beach to just make our own campsite. But because of the massive swell that was hitting the Southern CA coast and the fact that it was high tide combined with the storm surge we couldn't find any beaches with sand to camp on (they were all underwater). So on our way to a friends house in Long Beach to sleep on his living room floor we found a place called Crystal Cove State Beach. There were no campsites available but they did have a "Coastal Bluff Protection Zone." We found a really nice spot and made our camp for the night. The next day we went to watch the huge waves breaking at the Wedge (the beach next to the jetty at the end of the Balboa peninsula in Newport). There were hundreds of other people who also came to see the huge swell. Apparently a 50 yr old tourist had died the day before getting smashed into the rock jetty by a huge wave. Then we went up to the Huntington Beach pier and watched the US Open of surfing for a little while. We got there just as 9 time world champion Kelly Slater (from Cocoa Beach, FL) was beginning his heat. Before we left the US Open we watched some of the freestyle BMX kids practicing. Then before coming home we went north to Seal Beach to surf (the waves break a lot smaller and the water is warmer). We had a lot of fun.
Carlsbad sunset
Josh posing next to the tracks with the headlight of a speeding train behind him.
Crystal Cove Bluff Protection Zone
Josh posing next to our tent holding his imaginary pet boulder named "LeDoux"
View from our tent - the ocean is about 40 ft below the bluff we camped on
About 6 am Saturday at the Wedge in Newport
About 7 am Saturday at the Wedge at Newport (about 2-3 times as many people)
Sponger at the Wedge
Paddle boarder at the Wedge
Double Tail whip
The waves crashing into the pier splashed some of the spectators (the pier is designed to withstand 31 ft waves)
Kelly Slater running to the water to begin his heat
After Slater won his heat
I really liked the color of this flower in the front yard of a Newport Beach house
This multicolored flower also caught my attention
1 comments:
that whole flower section reminded me of things that blake would say. haha.
But man that sounds like the best "bummin it" trip ever!!
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