Standard Summer.

Summer crowds at San Clemente beaches gather for fun in this view looking south from above "The Hole", during the first week in August.

I was coming down the freeway on Thursday and by the look of it, I had the feeling that it would make a nice shot.  Tower 5 at Lost Winds is in the foreground with Tower 4 , a little to the left  and up a bit.  Plenty of folks just having a nice time in warmer than normal water temperatures…not to crowded but not boring either…

 

The SDG&E reef barge in position and working off Seal Rock in San Clemente.

 

FiveBlocks.

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31st Annual San Clemente Ocean Festival 2008

An upset in the fianl dory leg of the IronMan competition.

I got down to the San Clemente Ocean Festival a little later in the day but in time to see the final of the IronMan Competition.  Its a combination of swim, run and dory boat on an individual basis.  I think Mitch Kahn gets this every year and this year he did not disappoint.

There are other events that went on through out the day and will finish up tomorrow late in the day.  I shot some crowds and people on the beach; it is always fun to see people enjoying themselves.

Crowds did not seem to be to big this year as it was somewhat overcast.  I saw a lot of people lined up at the train depot heading back home.  Hopefully tomorrow the sun will come out and more people will go.  I am sure from a competitor point of view the hazy overcast is just fine.

A girls surfing competitor gets a "cheater five" out for the judges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A boys surfing competitor gets a solid ride during his heat

 

 

A girl competitor walks down the beach for the begining of her heat.

 

An IronMan participant approaches an official for his "place".

Family and friends watch the boys surfing heat.

The girls are in the water and ready to go for their heat, late on Saturday afternoon.

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June Gloom In Bloom

It seems to me that when I was a kid and the end of the school year was at hand, the only thing to fear was the brutal 10 days or so of June Gloom.  Yes, I said 10 days…only.  June gloom as of recent times almost seems to start in April and doesn’t give up until the end of July.

 

Think back and you’ll agree.  The last few July 4^th’s we’ve had have barely let the sun through.  Now its true they all mix together somewhat with age and everything going on but then, its no excuse to hand over a grey, dull summer.

 

Two weeks ago, the rain had me worried and I confess that at the house we’ve even had the heater on.  This is definitely not something I want the relatives in the Pacific Northwest, back east, Chile and Norway to find out about.  After all, we’ll see them all here at some point this summer and I prefer it if they are as envious as I can make them.

 

This week it seems to be clearing up by late morning but then mother nature, is full of surprises.  She’d like nothing more than that we get our hopes up and then dash them on the rocks.  I for one will wish for an easy entry into summer but nothing more; otherwise, we’ll be asking for trouble.  I know that no sooner than I have written these words and it will be labor day.  Shorter days will bring shorter memories. 

 

We had burgers on Sunday for dinner.  Even June gloom can’t hold down that rich smell of a neighbor’s bar-b-que, reminding us that no matter what the weather is, summer is almost here.  The dread of traffic and crowded beaches comes later.  First things first; our gas bar-b-que has had it and so I’ll be off to get a new one this weekend.  Like my dad used to say “…I wonder what the poor folks are doing?…”   

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Tunnel Vision.

Freedom is waiting at the end of this tunnel.  Soon it will be June and a lot of people will pass through here on their way to summer; it begins just past the concrete where the sand is hottest.  Sandals will be flicked off and put in a bag or a back pocket.  The biggest decision will be whether to sit to the right or the left.  Lips are licked for the salt that is already there and at the berm, most likely, a wave from family and friends will decide if the day is spent closer to tower four or to lost winds.

 The right or left at the beach today replaces the right or left at the stoplight yesterday.  There are no laptops or schedules other than when the legs and back are too hot to stand it any

 

                     “…no laptops or schedules…”

 

 longer.  Then it’s just over the feet, up to the waist or all the way in.  All the way in, arms out, floating down to the coldest water at the bottom and then rising up to the warm top layer.   More salt on the lips, on the teeth, in the eyes, and in the nose as well.  No one really seems to mind and everything is almost dry before sitting back down on a warm towel.

 

Cranky, worried and upset going into the tunnel and whistling a tune, coming out the other side.  A nap, a good read and a swim or two.  If it’s done right and you think about it, there is no reason why there shouldn’t be light at each end of the tunnel.

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