Lazy, Hazy, Days of Summer

I like how lazy, hazy these last days of summer can be. I also like how beautiful the days can unfold as the hours come and go with the bright California sun.

We drove to Laguna Beach a few days ago where a weekend trip brought us a gift in the most wonderful way: perfect blue skies, perfect temperature and the most perfect sea breeze greeting us everywhere.

To go to Laguna Beach, we first drive through a deep canyon which is a protected, natural, wildlife habitat. On both sides of the road and in many places are gigantic boulders, well-placed bike and foot trails, colorful California wild flowers and flocks of soaring birds of various kinds, shapes and sizes. Sometimes we see a majestic White Egret or a wandering coyote looking for a drink of water. We could stop and take a guided walking tour but we decide to keep on going until reaching our destination: the beach, the ocean, and the soft, white sands beyond the boardwalk of Laguna Beach.

We arrive. We quickly find a close-to-the-beach parking space ( quite an accomplishment in any California coastal town.) We immediately begin visiting the little shops located up and down the village sidewalks. The hour is early, so we take advantage of looking for a special place to have brunch before heading for the white waves and spacious ocean views. We quickly find a surfy- looking cafe, sit in a red leather booth and order our favorite bagels and lox. We think the salmon a little "fishy" but everything else taste delicious, so all food including the salmon quickly vanishes from our plates.

After brunch, we cross the street for shopping. We seek out a wide open beach venue and rent ocean blue umbrellas, heavy terry towels and a body board in case we get brave and want to try the little, rolling waves which look so inviting. We forget our sun screen, picnic treats, and camera which we leave unknowingly in the back seat of the car. Since the car waits close by in our "trophy parking space", we quickly retrieve our needed treasures. Finally we settle in with the hot sand beneath our feet and the cooling white water splashing on our cheecks. We feel like the summer resort tourists from back East instead of the California locales we know ourselves to be.

After several hours of sun bathing, reading the latest novel, and watching bronzed children playing with sand castles, we leave our fabulous paradise and drive out on the famous Pacific Coast Highway. With sun roof and windows open in our new, red GT 6 and with the car stereo playing French music, we drive toward Dana Point. We find ourselves lost but somehow end up in another one of our favorite coastal cities; San Juan Capistrano. We stop here for some antique browsing, icy margarittas, and a walk down a rural street which features historical homes, trendy shops and artists painting the scenic beauty we want to capture forever.

At the end of the day, we notice several shimmering hummingbirds taking their evening nectar drinks from the many trumpet flowered bushes. We end our day relaxing on a hand carved bench under a giant Oak tree. (See photo above.) We count all the wonderful experiences of the past hours. We decide before Autumn arrives, we might find a way to squeeze in just one more lazy, hazy, gorgeous Summer day in and around Laguna Beach - our favorite coastal ocean town of sand, surf, beauty and perfection.