2/25/21

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.

12 comments:

Barbara said...

Those we love can but walk down to the pier with us - the voyage we must make alone. ~ William Makepeace Thackeray

MissPat said...

It's so nice that you got to visit with Mike's sister and that there was a personalized bench waiting for Mike to appear. I haven't eaten in a restaurant in almost a year. Still no luck with vaccine appointments here. I'm hoping there will be a better balance between supply and demand soon. I'm supposed to go to a quilt retreat in June and hope I don't have to cancel. I've already said no to one in late April.
Pat

Cathy Smith said...

Even though we lived in "The Valley" (geriatric valley gurl here!) I never had much beach exposure. Just something my parents didn't care to do. Closest I came was several Sundays packed in the back of my cousin's pickup truck (along with all the younger cousins) for a day's outing to Zuma. An elementary school friend had a grandfather who lived in Santa Monica. So, we had a few trips to POP. Now THAT is dating me!!!

Your orange flower is a Cape Honeysuckle.

Enjoy your visit!

Jenny said...

Looks like you had a wi derful day, eating out, catching up with family, strolling along the pier, annoying those pigeons. Didn't they realise that you are a famous blogger and their photos mag well go viral?

Darlene S said...

Sounds like a wonderful day visiting with Mike's sister and enjoying lunch. Perfect weather (and tide). I think those Seagulls like to be paid, with food, when they get their photo taken. If not, they try to bomb you! Smart birds.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

It sounds like a pretty perfect day! And nice of the powers that be to put a special bench out there just for Mike. Great photos once again - and I do hope you do something one day with that row of pink cabins because they're crying out to become a quilt.

piecefulwendy said...

Looks like you enjoyed a fun day. What great photos, thanks for sharing! I can certainly understand why the no skateboards signs - that pier would be very enticing to skateboarders! Love the under the pier photos, so cool!

SJSM said...

You had me at "Pier Pressure”. From there the expectations rose. Nice job on the bloggy puns and views.

Joni said...

What a beautiful day! We're having 15 mph winds with 28 mph gusts and sunshine, rain, rainbows and repeat. Maybe by the time you arrive home you'll be able to eat indoors at your favorite eateries. The Governor has that on her briefing agenda for today. Yay! My favorite Pier photo was the second one showing off the structural components perfectly.
Thanks, Barb, for taking us on a beachy jaunt.

Karrin Hurd said...

I used to spend a lot of time in that area, and on that pier! Thanks for the memories!

Kate said...

Sounds like you had a really nice visit. The pictures of underneath the pier are really cool. The second one is my favorite.

QuiltGranma said...

What a nice day in the sun you had! I enjoyed breakfast in a restaurant on Friday... The first day they were open in Oregon for 25% capacity.