Summer in San Diego

Here is the final part of my “summer in San Diego” blog.  Boy, what a summer this has been.  And with the weather only starting to really heat up, summer doesn’t have to end.  Leave out those white tank tops, bright bikinis, and short shorts for an extended summer.  The heat should last until the end of the year so there’s plenty of time to cool off at the beach, go on a roadtrip or two, partake in a summer fling or a bit of romance.

Freedom encapsulates the essence of summer.  There’s time to try a new sport or taste a different kind of food, meet that boy, or girl, who has managed to elude you the previous 8 months, spend lazy days on the beach licking ice cream cones under sweltering heat.   More freedom, more time = happy people.  Summer is when we let down our guard, if only a bit, but just enough for possibility to seep in.

This summer I spent much of my time surfing in Coronado, a island city pretty much attached to San Diego via the San Diego-Coronado Blue Bridge.  Class met on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-8:00pm, allowing for plenty of time to surf, glisten in my new tan, catch a radiating sunset.  A surfing class on Monday was perfect to start off the week on a high note.  I felt energized the rest of the week.

The drive to Coronado calmed me in a I’m-taking-a-vacation-and-leaving-my-worries-behind kind of way.  The Coronado Bridge turned into a blue rainbow where a pot of magic greeted me on the other side.  My favorite sight on this rainbow was towards the end where a patch of palm trees swayed in the tiny cove and sailboats rested along the sand while their cousins bopped in the turquoise water.  An occasional pelican or seagull flew by the vanilla sky and sent streaks of light catching my eyes.  No wonder I never noticed the sight of Hotel del Coronado upon reaching the end of the rainbow.  I must have thinking about my little getaway and girls.

The highlight of my days was, of course, surfing.  I had trouble at first, but like anything else in life, I continued trying and learned not just to surf, but that persistence is more important than ability.  The final week of class was the most thrilling.  I surfed with dolpins splashing in and out of the water against a freshly-tanned sky and caught many waves.

My best ride occurred on the final day as I paddled off on my favorite of the boards–the 10 footer–at just the right time to catch the wave and ride down its face.  The energy of the wave pulsated my veins.  A moment of connection with nature which I tried to grasp and hang on to as I floated towards shore.  And in that moment a spark jolted through me.  I knew I had made the most out of my summer.

This entire summer felt like a two-month boot camp where my body endured serious hardcore training.  Besides surfing, I also had a volleyball and dance class.  Connecting the dots, you have a surfer who loves sports and dances for fun.  By the end of it all, I had a rock hard body that continues to sizzle, along with a tantalizing tan.  What more could a guy ask for?

Here’s a link to the non-summer schedule of classes for those who wish to have fun, get away from your daily routine, try something new: class schedule.  The watersport classes are surfing, sailing, keelboating, kayaking, and canoeing.  Other great classes include yoga, dance, softball, tennis, swimming, volleyball, etc.

I’ll definitely be back when the time is right and maybe I’ll even see a few of you out there as I’m sitting on a rustic, wooden bench.  And if not, may our paths still cross one day when we finally let go of ourselves to see truth and beauty reunite.

Have a mind-blowing summer!

Hotel del Coronado

I have long awaited paying a visit to the Hotel del Coronado, as it’s only a few miles down the street from my surfing class.  For the longest time I’ve been fascinated with “the Del”.  The hold is has over me strengthens every time I’m reminded of romance, pastoral settings, glamour, a picture-perfect spot.

I parked right across from the Del and began walking around.  The string of Victorian homes here is eye-catching: cone-shaped towers, white verandas, tiny wooden benches, sharply-defined angles.  Across the street stretches miles of white-sand beach sprinkled with patches of mini sand dunes.  The perfect place to people watch while soaking in a bit of sun.

After my quick stroll I headed back to the Del freshly tinged with sea mist.  My skin must have been glowing.  My mission was to explore every corner of the inside of the Del.

The first thing you notice after entering is the HUGE crystal chandelier suspended from above, creating a surreal environment.  I made my way towards the stairs next to attendant-operated elevator and found myself on the second floor greeted by long, off-white hallways.

The higher up you go the lower the ceiling and smaller the doors, as if you’re a giant in Munchkin Land.  Here, the floors creak and sounds appear and dissipate at random.  The stillness of the air adds to the enigmatic aura.  I thought about the ghost of Kate Morgan and goosebumps appeared.  I racked my brain wondering what room number she inhabits.

On the top floor were some very narrow hallways complete with various look-out points with a unique view to each one:  pine trees and sailboats moored in the harbor, a glittering white sand beach, buildings and the Coronado Blue Bride.  I wondered which vantage point L. Frank Baum had when he supposedly used his stay at the Del as inspiration to creating



Emerald City in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Later, I sauntered over to the Mahogonay-wood railing by the stairs and the attendant offered me a ride back down on the birdcage elevator.

The door to the grand ballroom was open so I hopped in.  A carpet of white-petalled flowers swelled from the center of the room.  Crystal chandeliers dotted the vaulted ceiling.  On the far end, glass windows offered a stunning view of the deck and Coronado Beach.  At once, I became part of a work-in-progress painting.

With the door still adrift, my nose caught scent of something sweet.  I followed the aroma of waffle cone and vanilla ice cream past a corridor and ended up at Moo Time Creamery.  I wish I could have stayed longer to reminisce, ponder about life and girls…but I had a destination to get to.

A final “summertime” blog to wrap up my summer on my next blog…