Tuesday, August 12, 2008

The Story of a Beach

I spent Saturday with Mom. We decided to drive to Laguna beach and walk along the bluffs.Beginning in 1903 artists began moving to Laguna. They came from all over the world. They loved the vivid colors and seaside flora. Many painted in Impressionistic style...displaying various forms of it.

It does look like a painting.
Painters still come to capture the beauty. Do you see mom strolling toward us? (white visor) She chatted and admired their work.

Oh, to peacefully paint away a summer morning!

A popular sport is to take your giant 10 foot surf board out beyond the breakers. Bring two long paddles. Stand on your board and paddle around. When you get tired, catch a wave in. These guys come in--sort of outrigger style--riding along the roll of the wave.
Next we stopped by the historic Crystal Cove Beach, and grabbed a shake at the "Shake Shack" which has been around for decades. Here is our Chocolate Mint Shake...for $4.00. We split it.

Crystal Cove was part of Rancho San Joaquin. After an interesting history...including Japanese farmers leasing the land in 1927 (only to be sent to an internment camp during WWII)---the Irvine company continued to lease the land. It was leased to filmmakers and vacationers. The beach served as a tropical movie background for Treasure Island (1918, 1934) and many other movies.

A Restored Beach Cottage ($169. per night). A very nice stair climb.

In the 1920's and 1930's the cove was a popular place to pitch a tent or rent a cottage. Eventually the State of California bought the land, and they are now in the process of restoring the old cottages (via donations)...to the way it originally looked in its hey day.

The beach is a bit crowded. What do you expect on a summer Saturday?

Cottage in process of restoration.

A glimpse of the dirt road leading to the beach. (No cars allowed in this area.)

Back at Laguna Beach, the shoreline is rocky, blue and beautiful.

Here we are getting our feet wet at Laguna.

We also went to see Mamma Mia!

Thanks for a great day Mamma Mia!

4 comments:

Dawn said...

What a wonderful day with your mom - Laguna Beach is so beautiful!

The shake looks marvelous.

Michelle (wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, and striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman) said...

I have an embarrasing confession... When I was in high school, I told my boyfried I would marry the first man to buy me a house in Laguna Beach. (By the way, it never happened.) I just love Laguna Beach. And now I'm in the Nevada desert. Ugh!
It's been a long time, Sharon. I read your "Bases Covered" blog and was so happy for you. God is good. Hope all continues to go well.
Blessings,
Michelle

Susan Skitt said...

What a beautiful day! The beach is lovely. I can see why painters come there to paint - wow! I'd love to stay in one of those seaside cottages. I'm so glad you had a nice day with your mom. Thanks for sharing!

Yolanda said...

I have been there once and It was so pretty.I am glad you had such a good time.