Pier Pressure

We had a perfect day of weather for our visit with Mike's sister yesterday. The plan was always to have some lunch at the Oceanside Harbor and then head to the Oceanside Pier. I believe of all the places we visit when we return to this area, the Oceanside Pier is my favorite. This was where we spent summers when we were teenagers. Of course, there are other beaches in the area, but this was always our spot for the 4th of July, when they shot fireworks off the pier. We'd make a day of it, bring dinner and a small BBQ, then dig a trench in the sand where we could lounge and wait. Those are great memories.

Mike and I left this area shortly after we married in 1975. We moved to Phoenix, where he attended school. While living in Phoenix, we read the Oceanside Pier had been half blown away in a storm. Some years later it was rebuilt, and it's so much nicer than it used to be. There were also some sketchy neighborhoods along "The Strand," as we called it. All of those ticky-tacky shacks have been removed and the area has been rebuilt and modernized. 

We started out at The Broiler restaurant at the Oceanside Harbor. We had a short wait for a table. Although the sun was shining when we arrived, the fog rolled in while we waited.

While we waited, I walked around and took pictures of every blooming thing. This bird of paradise was nestled in among the lantana.

I don't know this next one, but I imagine one of you will.

Pretty yellow hibiscus.

While we ate our lunch, the sun returned, and so we headed over to the pier. Come along, if you like. But first, let's get the rules straight.

Put away those gaffing hooks, my friends.

You'll need to carry your skateboard while we're on the pier.

Okay, this way...follow me.

As I mentioned earlier, the weather was perfect. Not too much wind, and nicely warm without being too hot. Looking north, we saw this:

Looking south, we saw this:

Farther out to sea, there were a few fishing boats and sailboats.

The water must have been warm because there were lots of surfers.

The birds were really the thing yesterday. This pidgeon seems none too happy to see me.

The seagulls were much happier to pose for their portraits.

What about this angle? Does the ocean make my tail look fat?

I love these little pink cabins all lined up in a row. Some day, I would like to make a quilt from this. I'll get to it right after the other hundreds I want to make...some day.

Reaching the end, I caught this picture of Mike and his sister.

Oh...and I caught this guy at a bad moment.

You again? A little privacy, if you don't mind.

Honestly, now you're starting to piss me off.

Okay, now you're making me nervous. Back off, wouldja?

Ralph, is this the same old biddy who was bothering you earlier?

Oh...come over here! You can take my picture!

Please don't encourage the seagulls. They're publicity hams, plain and simple!

Maybe if we just stop talking, she'll go away.

Just about then, our shadow selves turned up. They were mostly well-behaved with Mike's big sister in the mix.

Then we spied this bench.

Thanks! Don't mind if we do.

The last couple of times I've visited the pier, the tide has been in and crashing up on the rocks surrounding the bottom of the pier. Yesterday, the tide was out, and so we walked down to the beach to get a shot underneath. Along the way, I noticed an army of gulls had been treking through here.

Here's how it looks from ground level. We'd dig our trench for the fireworks just about right here.

Underneath, I got the shot I wanted...this sort of Stonehenge shot.

I couldn't decide which of these two shots I liked best, and so you get to see them both. 

And that was our day. We came back to the RV and had a dinner of taco salad. Then, Mike drove Meredith back to her hotel for the night. I imagine she's on her way home right about now.

Today we're meeting up with a few more friends for lunch. All of our restaurant experiences have been outdoors, and it's been so nice to be able to eat at a restaurant. It's much too cold and wet for that back home, and so we're soaking it up while we can. I'm still waiting for the day's inchy to be posted...maybe it has been by now. It's probably time for breakfast, and then I'll get to my inchy stitching.