Heading West_19

Laguna Beach, Day 2

This next day, Norm made a pot of coffee for us. Let me tell you, my friend Bob was pretty stoked. We moved right out to the deck again, and it was fogged in, every morning. The beach was out there in the fog, but that was about a mile below us. "We get coastal fog for a few more weeks, it burns off by 10 or 11. I would like to take you guys down to the beach, in another hour, plus I can walk the dog"

I devoured the LA Times every morning on Norm's oceanside deck. What a great paper!

We put on our bathing suits. Norm had some kind of terrycloth beach jacket, and a retractable dog leash. He took the paper and some work papers with him; I think he was taking off a day or two to hang with us. His little dog joined us for the drive below. Norm parked, threw in a few quarters in the parking meters, and took us on a tour of the beach galleries, there were dozens of them, and he knew most of the owners. He also treated us to a big breakfast. Just knowing we didn't have to go back to the House of Pies was a great thrill.

I did some body surfing after this walking tour; and the waves were fantastic. I had on my favorite Katins, bright orange. Bob hung out with Norm, and I went for a run north of the Main Beach. I stumbled on the basketball courts up near this park. Here were some awesome 3 on 3 games going down, there were some huge guys, college or maybe pros just skying on these courts. I wished I had brought a pair of sneakers. I watched for about 45 minutes. Wow, I had never seen such quality hoops in such an outdoor setting..

When I got back, Norm was asking "So what do you think? Your Dad loved his visit here, is California growing on you?"

"I could stay here the rest of my life, Norm."I could only shake my head in disbelief, that I didn't come out here for college.

We stopped at a super market on the way home, he bought some huge steaks and I made a giant salad with about 8 things in it. He bought us a case of beer, and we headed back for a late afternoon BBQ and another spectacular sunset.

One cool thing happened before the sunset, I saw my first hummingbird.
It was making an unreal sound, as its little wings beat in air on some bougainvilla
that grew on his deck railings. What in the world?