Blog Entry I Getting into a California State of Mind

February 1, 2012, Temperature -2*C

Au Revoir, Ottawa!  Hello, Adventure!

At 3:45 a.m., freezing rain was rebounding off our suitcases as I walked them to the taxi.  In seven hours, we would be in sweet San Diego. 

En route to the airport, our taxi driver told us that he had once lived in San Diego.  In no time at all, we were getting tons of great tips, all for just $38.40.  The ride was free. 

Linda likes to get to the airport early.  Traffic was light so we were standing in front of the United Express Airlines counter before it even opened… but we weren’t alone.  In fact, a discussion with the other couple in our line of four just reconfirmed the old adage: “happy wife, happy life.” 

As for the plane, I guess the earlier you fly, the smaller  the craft.  Ours was past "petite" and more like an aluminum cigar tube with wings.

Tschicaugo! Tschicaugo!  Did you know….?

Getting to our seat was torture, but once seated, we were actually quite comfortable.  In fact, Linda and I slept all the way to Chicago.  I do remember waking to the siren voice of our hostess making last minute announcements as we dropped through the cloud cover.  Before us, O’Hare, the second busiest airport in the world, came into view. 

The fact that O'Hare takes its name from Butch O'Hare, America’s first Second World War flying ace, isn’t really so interesting.  But that Butsch’s father, Edward, aka "Easy Eddie", had been a successful lawyer working for Al Capone,is.  Later, ridden with guilt, Easy Eddie ended up giving crucial evidence to federal prosecutors and Capone was convicted for tax evasion. Sadly and coincidently, a week before Capone’s release from Alcatraz in 1939, O'Hare was shot to death while driving his car.

February 2 and beyond!   Temperature 20*C

Ottawa 45 : San Diego 32

From this...

That’s no football score but rather the latitudes of these two beautiful cities.  Just thirteen little degrees separate winter from early summer-like conditions, palm trees, blue skies, and warm breezes from snow, wind chill factors, and tuques. 


  

To this, in seven little hours

A marked feature of the climate here in San Diego is the wide variation in temperature within short distances.  Over the course of a single day,  you could run on the beach, ski in the mountains, and chase a wily coyote through the desert if you wanted to.  The thing is, they don't.  They'd just rather "chill".


 New York City: #1 in rudeness? But hey, we’re in San Diego!

In a recent survey by Travel + Leisure magazine, New York unseated Los Angeles as the rudest city in America.  This was significant for Lyn, a condo owner here at the Venetian, whom we met quite coincidently in the parking lot as we were looking for our condo rep.  Just heading out for a luncheon date, she mercifully stopped to help two forlorn Canadians.

Jess, our condo rep was a no-show and we had no access to a phone.  “There are no phone booths in S.D.” said Lyn, as she offered to place a call on our behalf.  Jess didn’t answer, so Lyn left a message. 

What to do now?  Not to worry!  Despite her being pressed for time, Lyn ended up spending at least an hour filling us in on the best sites and restaurants in and around the city.  

Her only request for all her efforts?   That we tell our Canadian family and friends that she, a New Yorker, takes exception to that “really crappy survey”.  No problem, Lyn!

Really?!!!!  Really?!!!

Our $29.00 phone

All attempts to reach Jess were futile.  Worried, Lyn really insisted we get a cell phone. 

Eddie at Best Buy helped us choose a sweet little gem which included 150 minutes, all for just 29 bucks.  My first phone call was to Jess.  Still no answer!  I left a message. 

Just after our first San Diego coffee, Jess phoned.  A heartless hello preceded the surprise announcement that we were to be fined $200 for having allowed a condo owner to phone her on our behalf. 

I laughed thinking it was all just a bad joke.  She was serious!   In no time at all, we were involved in a test of wills.  In the end, the fine was nixed and we got a new coffee maker and some free incidentals to make our stay here more agreeable.

The red face wasn't from the sun

Linda and I are now proud citizens of La Jolla (Spanish for jewel), a small coastal town just outside of S.D.  May I say how embarrassing it was to be declaring my delight in being in La Jolla only to be politely reminded that it’s pronounced: “La Hoya”.

Our home for a month

Our Digs

About the condo!  It is really a wonderful little place and well suited to our needs.  We haven’t yet discovered all the amenities though because we spent our first day getting a sun burn on the beach. 

Watching big waves and bare bottoms at Black’s Beach

Thank heavens for the umbrella

Our day at Black’s Beach was full of surprises.  Our first discovery was its reputation as the largest nude beach in the U.S.  We (that’s a royal “we”) were disappointed.  With the exception of a few old farts, only the big waves showed up.  We remain optimistic that our month will be optically fulfilling.  Bottoms up, everyone!

Rod at Black's

Our second surprise was Rod, a 54 year-old, smooth talking, and very funny life guard.  Funny, that is, until he started talking about his house.  It seems that 5 years ago, he poured his entire life savings into a small home for his family.  His worry?  San Diego was not immune to the financial crisis.  His house is now worth but 50% of the price he paid. 

How long will you keep working?  “Well, life guarding’s my second career but I don’t want to be this city’s David Hasselhoff of Bay Watch for much longer.” 

To keep his young protégés in line, I did notice one trick he used.  Erik, a young upstart trying to upstage his boss was set back on his heels with this little quip: “Remember, boy!  I’ve taught you everything you know, but not everything I know!”  I say: “You go, Rod!”

Our third surprise? Black’s Beach is one of Southern California’s best surfing spots.  A huge underwater canyon located just off shore enhances some already powerful waves making it very dangerous for beginners but absolutely wonderful for the whales and dolphins swimming up and down the coast.

As we watched the surf, I overheard a pretty young local say that the pods of dolphins swimming nearby were way more interesting than those geriatrics gazing at the surf with their white socks, white tennis shoes, and nothing else.  For a second there, I became self-conscious until I realized that I was wearing black socks and black tennis shoes….and, oh, yeah, a black bathing suit.  Whew!

Until next time!