This Isn’t Los Angeles So When Plans Go Awry Simply Make New Ones
My afternoon did not exactly go according to plan.
The idea was to swing by a dive shop to purchase a mask and snorkel – I had somehow managed to lose the mask but hang onto the snorkel when I moved from Los Angeles – and then test out my new equipment in La Jolla Cove.
That is a fantastic place for a casual yet beautiful swim and snorkel and an activity, quite frankly, that I should have been doing a couple times a month ever since I relocated to San Diego about a year ago.
But I encountered a speed bump in my plans which ruled out La Jolla Cove. In Los Angeles this would have been a frustrating situation because of all the driving involved for everything there that would have resulted in my plans being blown out of the water.
But here, I simply adjusted my plans and this is why there is never a wasted day in San Diego.
Because of the pricing and limits of equipment due to some type of scuba manufacturing issue related to COVID-19, I wound up saving money by just getting a mask. Because I did not have my snorkel with me, instead of going to La Jolla, I decided to go up to Del Mar and stop at the beach there for a little afternoon swim or even just a scenic coastal drive.
I wound up doing the latter. So off I-5, I took the Via De La Valle exit – the one for the race track – and turned south on Camino Del Mar (which is also Highway 101) and pulled over to take photos of the beach.
Frankly, it was nice to see the beach and Pacific Ocean again. When I was in LA, I always lived in the Beach Cities and now that I’m in San Diego’s Gaslamp, I don’t get to see the sand and waves very often.
After a few reflective moments (and photos) I slowly headed south and stopped at Torrey Pines State Beach. This meant I got to drive thru the quaint town of Del Mar, which I have always liked during my many visits there for the races. I even had a nice flashback to some fun post-race nights at the bar En Fuego.
I stopped again at a cliff above Torrey Pines beach. I had actually never gotten of the car at that place and was thrilled to discover walking paths along the cliff. I probably should have lingered more but was a bit taken back by the fact they now charge for parking. I vowed to return and give them my money another day.
(I admit that I am a stubborn Leo and when something that used to be free now costs money, I take a silly stand against it, at least initially. It’s my way of protesting tho of course, I am the only aware of this action.)
Then, I drove thru Torrey Pines and a few minutes later headed south on I-5. I was back in the Gaslamp by Happy Hour.
This was an afternoon unattainable in L.A. I would have spent all my time driving and not enough seeing the scenery. As a result, I would have returned home hot, frustrated and in serious need of a cocktail.
Well, I had a cocktail this day, too. Except it was one of celebration, not frustration.
Ahh, San Diego!
Leave a Reply