No, I didn’t grow up in California, but it was in growing up that I fell in love with California. The summer of age twelve, I spent a month in San Diego. A week of that month was at Ocean Beach. At an impressionable age, on-the-cusp of my teen years, California left its mark in my life.
That summer wasn’t easy. My parents had separated. Southern California was our my escape. I didn’t have to worry about my family or the changes that were taking place. All my troubles washed away in the Pacific.
At the end of summer, I went back to my home in the Oklahoma countryside, where my accent wasn’t cute anymore and people didn’t ask to hear me talk. I sounded like everyone else again, and I missed the care-free days of the summer. So, I decorated my bedroom walls with posters of surfers. I was determined to hold on to the magic of my California summer.
Surrounded by 60-foot waves, I dreamed of beach days and mushroom omelets at the beachside cafe.
My love for California never departed from my heart. Every chance I get, I go back to remember and dream of those summer days that meant so much to me.
Jason and I leave tomorrow for California and will spend a whole week “California Dreamin”. On our radar is San Diego, Palm Springs, Big Bear Lake, and Ventura. Who knows where else in-between, lots of places I haven’t been to. We don’t have a schedule or strict plan. Our only plan is do and see and go.
I will be taking LOTS of photographs.
Truthfully? Tomorrow morning can’t get here fast enough.
I am not even sure what I’m looking forward to more….sunsets on the beach, being off work, visiting the San Diego Zoo, or under 100 degree days.
Whatever we do, I can promise you, it will be enjoyed.
My next post will be from my iPhone in CALI!!!
🙂
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
or some reason even though I am subscribed to your blog, I have not been getting your posts so I thought you hadn’t been posting and saw on FB you are…sorry I’ve been absent! So cool that you get to relive your “dream summer” with your “dream man”…have a fabulous time!
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Have a blast on your trip!! I live in Cali and I dont think I could ever leave! Enjoy your time. AWEOSME photos
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Have so much fun!!! And I hope to meet you when you come to Ventura 🙂
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I love California too! Lived there until 3rd grade but still have lots of family and love visiting there. Have a great trip!
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Have a wonderful time! We love San Diego. It’s only a 5 hour drive from our home in AZ.
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I hope you have a wonderful time in Cali! My cousin lives in Southern Cali and I know she loves it there! I have yet to visit but I hope to gain from your experience! Thanks for visiting my blog! 🙂
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Have a wonderful trip! I bet you are super excited to return!! I better see pictures of you on a board surfing those waves. Wait you do surf don’t you?
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Best wishes for an “Endless Summer”!
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We saw endless summer in 11th grade 1966. We were mesmerized.
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I’m sad you will be on “my” coast but so far away. I am happy that you are going to have a great time. Can’t wait to hear/see all about it.
Yay!!!!!!!
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Hope you have a wonderful trip!
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Like you, I’m totally fell in love with Cali when I was at uni there. Now my son is at uni there too which is my perfect excuse to visit. Hope you have a great trip and can’t wait to hear all about it.
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Enjoy your trip!
I’m looking forward to California pictures 🙂
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Your trip sounds amazing and hopefully you two are already relaxing near the beach. Thank you for visiting my site. I shared your comment with the recovering Donna.
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