The ocean

I love the mountains and love living near enough to see some of them off in the distance and to drive up into them and hike around in the forests, but there is nothing like the ocean to satisfy something in the soul. We walked down to the ocean twice during our stay at Summerland and also visited the cliffs near Goleta courtesy of C’s Grammy who lives there. We also went to the pier in Santa Barbara which is a fun  place.  Our last time to the ocean on the trip was at San Clemente when we got there just in time to go to the beach park and watch a beautiful sunset.

The two days at Summerland beach were quite different, the first had a turbulent surf and the second was much calmer, both were sunny and being winter not many people were out and about. The sea birds are always fun to watch as they skitter along. The cares and concerns of life seem to melt away as one just drinks in the sights and smells and the rhythm of the sea. Baby M. loved it there.

The cliffs in Goleta had a stunning view from above. On our walk there through a preserve area we passed students from the nearby college out for their runs. Lucky students to have a setting like that!

At San Clemente we had planned to drive to a certain point marked on the map but realized the sun would set before we found our way there, so we just pulled in to watch from the beach park along with a few others. It was cool and breezy as we sat on a bench so we didn’t stay long. I love the shimmering of the last rays on the wet sand.

God’s nature is so impressive!

Lou