Yet another perfect couple of southwestern days.
Mid 50's in Tucson when I pulled out of town and headed to Southern California. I-10 to Casa Grande and the I-8 to San Diego then I-5 to Orange County followed by the 405 to the 605 and finally Rossmoor and the Stouts.
After a long conference call with the Programming Committee at KLZR (which I resigned from), we headed down to Long Beach for a sunset beer at Ballast Brewing.
On the patio at Ballast which is located right on the jetty. it had three bars, obviously the outdoor one that you see here as well as an indoor seating and a upstairs patio (closed for construction). Each bar featured different beers as well. The site used to be as Bill called it "Khory's shit assed chicken" restaurant. Even Sallie's appraisal was "not good". Very nice now and very tony.
Sunset across the inlet with the Alamitos BayYacht Club building. Mid 60's and a slight breeze.
The following morning as Sallie walked with a friend Bill did a little cleanup in the back yard and checked out their neighbors fruit trees.
How great would it be to have this in Westcliffe, but I this is way more than you can eat or juice.
After Bill and I took our own architectural review walk thru their 1957 built neighborhood, we headed down the Pacific Coast Highway (1) from Seal Beach thru Huntington Beach past Newport Beach to the Crystal Cove State Park.
Crystal Cove State Park has been occupied since forever by Native Americans and in 1836 the Mexican government granted the land to the Sepulveda family who sold it to the Irvine Ranching Co. in 1864.
In the late 1920's they leased it to Japanese immigrants who farmed in the foothills until WWII when they were sent off to internment camps. When they didn't return after the war, the Irvine Co. leased the site to movie companys and then to families on 50 year leases which were finally not renewed in the 60's and 70's when the property was finally bought by the state.
The view down towards some of the "Phase III" cabins that will be renovated. You can rent these cabins (the ones finished), 6 months in advance. They all date from the 20's and 30's.
A couple of the hillside cottages as well as the restaurant where we ate lunch. It's on the far right of the photo. The shake shingle one that's situation in the middle of the picture has been rented by Bill and Sallie for next Wednesday night. They had tried for years to get a weekend but never had success. Then Bill goes home this evening, puts in a date and voila, it was available. It sleeps five if you're in town next week.
More renovated cottages with the Shake Shack in the background (yellow building). You can get a lot of different types of shakes like "date". Yum.
Some of the movies filmed here are on display. Classics like "To Have and Have Not", "Beaches" and of course everyone's favorite "Herbie Rides Again".
One of the gardens by a cottage.
Sallie leaving the restaurant. Nice view. I had chowder and Korean Braised Beef Spring Rolls.
Looking back towards Crystal Cove from one of the hillside viewpoints.
Steaks and wine for dinner after another fun day. Beautiful weather as you can see and yes I was wearing shorts.
Hasta Luego.
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