Southern California has experienced some pretty severe weather this winter. However, it was nothing but blue skies and sunshine during our four days by the Pacific Ocean.
Forty plus years is a long time to be friends. Greg and Eric graduated high school together in 1982 and have remained in touch ever since. We were thrilled when Greg and his wife, Kelly, invited us to stay with them during our wander. But what to do with our 46 ft rig in a hillside neighborhood of south LA? Take the correct route up to avoid the hairpin turns and just park roadside in front of their house!
Although it was chilly for Californian's, it did not stop us from enjoying the great outdoors. We filled our days riding cruisers on The Strand, a bike path that runs alongside of the beach from Redondo Beach all the way up to Santa Monica,
walking the paths of Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula,
and site-seeing and finding the obscure site of the area. Note the "light gate" that where the sun acts as a key that fits in the hole only twice a year!
The most exciting adventure was our morning of surfing! This started as a bit of a tease for me, then grew into reality of both Eric and I headed into the 57 degree ocean to ride some waves. Eternally grateful to Greg and his friend, Barry, who patiently taught and encouraged us. Unfortunately, no video just a still shot of the success we had catching a wave!
For those of you who have never surfed, it is not as easy as it looks above. It is physically exhausting to paddle out against the waves then essentially do a pushup/burpee to stand up while keeping you balance on the moving board. Paddle out and do it again! After two hours and many waves, we were all happy, tired and ready to hang up our boards for the day.
Now for a little trivia about surfing...Answers at the bottom of this post.
Why is right foot forward called "goofy foot"?
Who, where, and when was the wetsuit invented?
We met a local celebrity after surfing. Can you identify which person it is?
4. Extra credit if you can determine the name of this pro surfer many years ago.
Enough about surfing...On to our evening fun in Southern California!
We had great homecooked meals made by Greg and we also went to dinner at Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. Look who showed up at the Riviera House on Monday night, my former co-worker and friend, Terri!! Thanks so much for introducing us to the Pendulum, it was delicious. Great to catch up with this wonderful lady.
Our last night in town was $5 burgers at Rebel Republic Social house with Greg and Kelly's daughter, Parker, as well as some of their local friends. But not without a stop at Tony's on the pier to watch the sunset for happy hour! Great way to end our stay with this terrific family. We hope to see each other again soon.
Traveling east again to Joshua Tree then on to Lake Havasu for some Motocross this weekend.
See you on the road!
Trivia Answers:
In 1937 Disney movie, Hawaiian Holiday, Goofy was riding right foot forward before having an incredible wipeout
Jack O'Neil in 1950's in Santa Cruz, California
On my left; second in from the right
Mike Purpus
Is that you & Eric in the surf picture?!?!