Surfin’ USA
“If everybody had an ocean across the USA.
Then everybody’d be surfin’ like Californ I A
You’d see ‘um wearin’ their baggies, Harachi sandals too.
A bushy bushy blond hairdo. Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys)
Yes, my family arrived here last week from Riverside for a few days and Michael, who celebrates his 16th birthday soon, had never had a surfing lesson. Neither had his mom Gloria, my daughter. She had tried it a few times in high school and described it as exhausting by the time you swim out with this 8 foot long board, climb up on the thing and try to catch a wave at just the right time, then paddle out again navigating over the waves you don’t want. And you have to catch them at just the right spot too. But she was anxious to try it again.
As we got in the car to go to Bolsa Chica State Beach last Friday morning I had my CD qued up to “Surfin’ USA”. Off we went so they could each have a pre-arranged private lesson with the local surf school. Gloria and I joked for days before about having the paramedics ready with oxygen and IV bags for when she came out of the water. All this to say that we are a water family getting in the pool or ocean as often as we can. Even Lucas, their part Lab Shepherd actually does laps in the family pool in good ol’ hot Riverside. We call him Rescue Dog because he will not allow anyone to go under water if he’s by the pool. Megan, 14 years old and a dolphin in the water gets exasperated with him because when she dives under, Lucas actually comes and gently takes her long hair and pulls her to the steps. So, we have to shut him in the shady dog run if we want to swim underwater at all.
Now, you talk about animals being intelligent! When I’m visiting at their house and floating around in the pool with a noodle, if anyone calls out, “Rescue, rescue!” Lucas swims out, takes hold of the noodle and drags me to the steps…not just to any old edge of the pool. I’m not making this up. Now Holly, their German Shepherd, is having none of it and cools off by digging in the cool dirt in the planter.
But, I digress. Back to surfin’ USA. Michael and Gloria had no idea if they’d be able to stand up on the surf board the first lesson but they both had wonderful coaches who first showed them how…on the shore. I shot zillions of pictures. Now, they are both pretty athletic and went at it with such zeal that each of them really got up pretty quickly. As long as I live I will never forget the look on Gloria’s face as she carried the surf board on her head out to the surf. The cat that swallowed the canary. The look, “I’m doing it.” See the picture for yourself.
Later, they lay their exhausted bodies on our beach blankets, slept hard for awhile never moving a muscle. But after some rest and food, we three went out again and boogie boarded all afternoon. Wally and Megan monitored all this and guarded our stuff.
How can I describe what a thrill the ocean and boogie boarding is to me? To be totally surrounded by nature, the sound of the surf every few seconds, the color turquoise, blue, silver, white all around you, the salt air smell, the cool breeze, the horizon where blue melts into silver, the warm sand under your feet, the cozy wet suit keeping me warm, the power you feel when nature takes her arm, lifts you up and gives you a fast ride into shore.…well, it’s heaven. And Bolsa Chica State Beach has perfect waves for beginners like us. We even saw 4 dolphins frolicking further out in the surf headed toward Long Beach.
Oh, yeah, I had a surfing lesson in Hawaii on our honeymoon 4 years ago. Had to do it. Lifelong dream. My coach showed me on land how to stand up, but out in the water, I thought he must be kidding telling me to stand up on that wiggly board on that jingly water. So, it’s back to my friendly boogie board. But Michael and Gloria tell me it’s an indescribable sensation to actually stand up on the water…on your own.
“You’ll catch ‘em surfin’ at Del Mar, Ventura City line
Santa Cruz and Trestles, Australia, Narabine.
All over Manhattan and down Doheny way
Everybody’s gone surfin’, surfin’ USA.”
My only regret is that I didn’t start younger and learn to surf. I sat ladylike on the beach for 2 decades not wanting to be in the cold water or mess up my hair. Ridiculous. Now, I’m proud to come out of the water wearing the sand in my ears and hair as a badge of honor as I say to myself, “You did it, kid!” I’m a California girl by way of inland Memphis and upstate New York.
“Well east coast girls are hip, I really dig those styles they wear
And the southern girls with the way they talk, they knock me out when I’m down there. I wish they all could be California girls. The west coast has the sunshine and the girls all get so tanned. I dig a French bikini on Hawaii Island, dolls by a palm tree in the sand. I wish they all could be California girls. ”
Ok, I’m not exactly a girl anymore but when I’m in the water I feel like one. And it makes me happy to be alive. The blue Pacific is practically in our back yards and going there is a fabulous way to get in touch with nature. Do get down to the beach in this wonderful weather and soak it all up. Literally. Even just walking and collecting shells is a delight. Enjoy! Have a great summer! “If everybody had an ocean, across the USA, then everybody’d be surfin’ like Californ I A”…..
Word count 1035
Quote at bottom of first page:
Those that say you can’t take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip.
In a box…..
BANK OWNED PROPERTY LISTS AVAILABLE THROUGH ANN BAKER
This is a great time to purchase property for investment that can contribute to your retirement or the kids college education someday. Let the property as a rental pay for itself over time. The money is in the land. God’s not making any more dirt.
Think about it. There are hundreds of bank owned property now but it won’t last forever.
Call me and I can prepare a specific list of BANK OWNED properties for you. I’ll need specifics: county, city, price range single family residence or condo at least. Otherwise the list would be too large for you to deal with. Plan for your financial future. Take advantage of this market today!
HUMOR CORNER
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.
Get hooked up on high speed internet. It crashes a lot faster now.
Dear Lord, if you can’t make me skinny, please make my friends fat.
Only on a cruise ship will you pay hundreds of dollars a day to sleep in a closet.
I’m not stubborn. My way is just better.
I’m confused. Wait. Maybe I’m not.
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
Remember, as far as anyone knows, we’re a normal family.
You don’t have to be crazy to work here. We’ll train you.
My garage. My rules.
What happens in the garage stays in the garage.
Oh, my God. Mother was right about everything.
I didn’t say it was your fault. I said I was going to blame you.
“We have a criminal jury system superior to any in the world; and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding 12 men every day who don’t know anything and can’t read.” Mark Twain
ATTENTION PARK HUNTINGTON HOME OWNERS!
Would you like to see the floor plan of your model?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Park Huntington. There is also a map of the whole tract for your convenience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like any back issues of the Baker Breeze?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click The Baker Breeze
Would you like a list of testimonials from Ann Baker’s happy clients?
Visit Annie Baker.com
Want to know your home’s current value?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Your Homes Value
Want to search for a home?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Search for a Home…any city, most counties.
Want to calculate payments?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Calculate payments.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Want information about your school or any school compared to others?
Click School Information. This great page gives you a customized report on your school including expenditure per student, % of degrees in the area, number of students per teacher and much more. It has lists and charts of how many students per teacher in the surrounding schools.
Want more information on my listings? Click Featured Listings
This website is state of the art and a great resource for you and your family. It’s easy to use and, of course, is free. Enjoy
“If everybody had an ocean across the USA.
Then everybody’d be surfin’ like Californ I A
You’d see ‘um wearin’ their baggies, Harachi sandals too.
A bushy bushy blond hairdo. Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys)
Yes, my family arrived here last week from Riverside for a few days and Michael, who celebrates his 16th birthday soon, had never had a surfing lesson. Neither had his mom Gloria, my daughter. She had tried it a few times in high school and described it as exhausting by the time you swim out with this 8 foot long board, climb up on the thing and try to catch a wave at just the right time, then paddle out again navigating over the waves you don’t want. And you have to catch them at just the right spot too. But she was anxious to try it again.
As we got in the car to go to Bolsa Chica State Beach last Friday morning I had my CD qued up to “Surfin’ USA”. Off we went so they could each have a pre-arranged private lesson with the local surf school. Gloria and I joked for days before about having the paramedics ready with oxygen and IV bags for when she came out of the water. All this to say that we are a water family getting in the pool or ocean as often as we can. Even Lucas, their part Lab Shepherd actually does laps in the family pool in good ol’ hot Riverside. We call him Rescue Dog because he will not allow anyone to go under water if he’s by the pool. Megan, 14 years old and a dolphin in the water gets exasperated with him because when she dives under, Lucas actually comes and gently takes her long hair and pulls her to the steps. So, we have to shut him in the shady dog run if we want to swim underwater at all.
Now, you talk about animals being intelligent! When I’m visiting at their house and floating around in the pool with a noodle, if anyone calls out, “Rescue, rescue!” Lucas swims out, takes hold of the noodle and drags me to the steps…not just to any old edge of the pool. I’m not making this up. Now Holly, their German Shepherd, is having none of it and cools off by digging in the cool dirt in the planter.
But, I digress. Back to surfin’ USA. Michael and Gloria had no idea if they’d be able to stand up on the surf board the first lesson but they both had wonderful coaches who first showed them how…on the shore. I shot zillions of pictures. Now, they are both pretty athletic and went at it with such zeal that each of them really got up pretty quickly. As long as I live I will never forget the look on Gloria’s face as she carried the surf board on her head out to the surf. The cat that swallowed the canary. The look, “I’m doing it.” See the picture for yourself.
Later, they lay their exhausted bodies on our beach blankets, slept hard for awhile never moving a muscle. But after some rest and food, we three went out again and boogie boarded all afternoon. Wally and Megan monitored all this and guarded our stuff.
How can I describe what a thrill the ocean and boogie boarding is to me? To be totally surrounded by nature, the sound of the surf every few seconds, the color turquoise, blue, silver, white all around you, the salt air smell, the cool breeze, the horizon where blue melts into silver, the warm sand under your feet, the cozy wet suit keeping me warm, the power you feel when nature takes her arm, lifts you up and gives you a fast ride into shore.…well, it’s heaven. And Bolsa Chica State Beach has perfect waves for beginners like us. We even saw 4 dolphins frolicking further out in the surf headed toward Long Beach.
Oh, yeah, I had a surfing lesson in Hawaii on our honeymoon 4 years ago. Had to do it. Lifelong dream. My coach showed me on land how to stand up, but out in the water, I thought he must be kidding telling me to stand up on that wiggly board on that jingly water. So, it’s back to my friendly boogie board. But Michael and Gloria tell me it’s an indescribable sensation to actually stand up on the water…on your own.
“You’ll catch ‘em surfin’ at Del Mar, Ventura City line
Santa Cruz and Trestles, Australia, Narabine.
All over Manhattan and down Doheny way
Everybody’s gone surfin’, surfin’ USA.”
My only regret is that I didn’t start younger and learn to surf. I sat ladylike on the beach for 2 decades not wanting to be in the cold water or mess up my hair. Ridiculous. Now, I’m proud to come out of the water wearing the sand in my ears and hair as a badge of honor as I say to myself, “You did it, kid!” I’m a California girl by way of inland Memphis and upstate New York.
“Well east coast girls are hip, I really dig those styles they wear
And the southern girls with the way they talk, they knock me out when I’m down there. I wish they all could be California girls. The west coast has the sunshine and the girls all get so tanned. I dig a French bikini on Hawaii Island, dolls by a palm tree in the sand. I wish they all could be California girls. ”
Ok, I’m not exactly a girl anymore but when I’m in the water I feel like one. And it makes me happy to be alive. The blue Pacific is practically in our back yards and going there is a fabulous way to get in touch with nature. Do get down to the beach in this wonderful weather and soak it all up. Literally. Even just walking and collecting shells is a delight. Enjoy! Have a great summer! “If everybody had an ocean, across the USA, then everybody’d be surfin’ like Californ I A”…..
Word count 1035
Quote at bottom of first page:
Those that say you can’t take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip.
In a box…..
BANK OWNED PROPERTY LISTS AVAILABLE THROUGH ANN BAKER
This is a great time to purchase property for investment that can contribute to your retirement or the kids college education someday. Let the property as a rental pay for itself over time. The money is in the land. God’s not making any more dirt.
Think about it. There are hundreds of bank owned property now but it won’t last forever.
Call me and I can prepare a specific list of BANK OWNED properties for you. I’ll need specifics: county, city, price range single family residence or condo at least. Otherwise the list would be too large for you to deal with. Plan for your financial future. Take advantage of this market today!
HUMOR CORNER
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.
Get hooked up on high speed internet. It crashes a lot faster now.
Dear Lord, if you can’t make me skinny, please make my friends fat.
Only on a cruise ship will you pay hundreds of dollars a day to sleep in a closet.
I’m not stubborn. My way is just better.
I’m confused. Wait. Maybe I’m not.
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
Remember, as far as anyone knows, we’re a normal family.
You don’t have to be crazy to work here. We’ll train you.
My garage. My rules.
What happens in the garage stays in the garage.
Oh, my God. Mother was right about everything.
I didn’t say it was your fault. I said I was going to blame you.
“We have a criminal jury system superior to any in the world; and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding 12 men every day who don’t know anything and can’t read.” Mark Twain
ATTENTION PARK HUNTINGTON HOME OWNERS!
Would you like to see the floor plan of your model?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Park Huntington. There is also a map of the whole tract for your convenience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you like any back issues of the Baker Breeze?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click The Baker Breeze
Would you like a list of testimonials from Ann Baker’s happy clients?
Visit Annie Baker.com
Want to know your home’s current value?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Your Homes Value
Want to search for a home?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Search for a Home…any city, most counties.
Want to calculate payments?
Visit AnnieBaker.com and click Calculate payments.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Want information about your school or any school compared to others?
Click School Information. This great page gives you a customized report on your school including expenditure per student, % of degrees in the area, number of students per teacher and much more. It has lists and charts of how many students per teacher in the surrounding schools.
Want more information on my listings? Click Featured Listings
This website is state of the art and a great resource for you and your family. It’s easy to use and, of course, is free. Enjoy
posted by Ann Baker, Realtor at
3:26 PM
