I'm taking some time off before starting my new job, so I decided to go to San Diego for a few days to relax and add to the profusion of freckles/sunspots on my face. I really wanted to try something new and see if I could pull it off, so I packed light, set up the back of my car as a little fort and parked in a random parking lot between a little league field and an citrus orchard about 20 miles inland. I was a little bit nervous about being greeted with a nightstick on my window in the middle of the night and asked to leave, but I made little privacy curtains for the windows, had a comfy bed set up in there, snacks...everything I needed. Once it was dark, I'd just lay there and listen to music until I fell asleep. Then in the mornings, I'd go out for breakfast, wash my face, change, and brush my teeth in the bathroom at the restaurant. During the day time, I wandered through various towns, window shopped, ate amazing food, relaxed in the sand, and people-watched.
One of the perks of waking up at the butt-crack of dawn is that by the time I made it to the beach, I got amazing parking spots right by my spot in the sand and the bathrooms and I had the place all to myself...minus the Navy men jogging by in their combat boots and short shorts and a few surfers. After hours of observation, however, I have concluded that getting in and out of a wet suit is the worst thing I could ever imagine. I'd rather just die of hypothermia than struggle with that mess.
Soundtrack of the Day:
The best part about getting amazing parking spots is that I never had to leave! I could just stop in, change clothes, grab snacks, drop off my towel, and wander around town for a few hours without ever having to worry about parking. A downside to that, however, is that I ended up literally rubbing my feet raw walking so much. The sand, sunscreen, and sandals really did a number, let me tell ya :( I also began to develop a distinct funkiness after a few days which was expected but rather unfortunate, and also one of the reasons I don't mind traveling alone. Oh, and there was some sort of biting insect (I'm assuming originated from the above-mentioned citrus grove I was slumbering amidst) that found my funkiness irresistible and henceforth ate me alive. But I digress.
My goal was to check out as many different towns and beaches as I could, and I actually made it to quite a few...It was delightful. The air was hot and humid, but the water was ridiculously cold, so I didn't actually venture out past my knees, but I sure did enjoy watching everybody else!
