RINCON PARKWAY

I woke up this morning without an alarm, about 6:45 a.m. because we are heading to Rincon Parkway today! I almost always wake up without an alarm when we have plans to go away. 😁 Rincon is beachside dry camping, aka boondocking, in Ventura County.

My friend Carle invited Craig and I to join him, Joyce and some of their friends camping. I have been looking forward to this trip for about a month now. Carle has shared his many Rincon camping memories with me and they always sound so relaxing, peaceful and fun! We have driven past Rincon many times before on our way to Santa Barbara via Highway 1. We have taken the ‘Surfliner’ train 🚂 from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara too. Each time we pass Rincon Parkway one could easily see the RVs, travel trailers and 5th wheels lined up beachside. You really can’t miss them. At night their lights and campfires almost look like a line of Christmas lights.🤗

Let me back track just a little. On our way up, on Highway 1, AKA PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) we passed Pepperdine University in Malibu and saw a display of flags on their expansive lawn. I had to Google it; why so many flags? Turns out that it is the “Waves of Flags” tribute to honor the 9 / 11 victims. 🙏🏽

A couple of beach shots on PCH heading Northbound.

It was a little tricky finding the right off ramp to get to Rincon, but we made it! We found our space, number 14, but decided to swing by and say hello to Carle before setting up. He is in spot 101 😬, a bit far from us. After a quick hello we drove back to our spot and set up, which takes about, I don’t know, 15, maybe 20 minutes.

After we set up, I sat for a few minutes and enjoyed the sunshine before I called a friend, Janet, for a quick chat.

Afterwards, I just stood by Shorty looking at the ocean and gazed out at the waves. The waves crashed against the sand and they seemed so loud. The wind was blowing and there was a slight chill in the air, but the sun was shining and it was warm at the same time. My mind drifted off as I watch the waves…the smell of the ocean was salty and comforting. I began to think about my childhood and felt very fortunate to have grown up in San Pedro, by the beach. The salty ocean breeze has a way of comforting me, even when I don’t think I need it.

Shortly afterward Carle came by for a visit. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, although we keep in touch via text. We talked and laughed. We covered the gammet – our RVs, kids, vacation, his job, retirement, how quickly time has passed – conversation with Carle is easy. Comfortable. Interesting. Heck it should be, after all we have been friends for 30 years! 😄

After Carle left I ate a plate of spaghetti 🍝. I was hungry! Craig had taken a phone call earlier and was inside Shorty talking, (in case you were wondering where he was.)😉 After my belly was full and he was off the phone we decided to take a walk. It was dusk by then. Here are some pix.

The sunset.🌅 I love, love, ❤ love watching the sunset. There is something very calming and symbolic about the sunset. It reminds me that whatever happened THIS day – good or bad – is coming to a close, and is time to rest and refresh. It also reminds me that I have been blessed to live another day, and that tomorrow is not promised. BUT, the sun will rise again in the morning (prayerfully🙏🏽) providing us all another opportunity to be a better us. Rest well and have a BEAUTIFUL tomorrow.😊✌🏽