California Dreamin' Another SoCal Sojourn (At the Beach in Carmel)

After visiting Mission Carmel yesterday, I drove around a bit, intending to find the downtown area and the beach--it didn't really matter which I found first. As it happens, I turned a corner and found a beach-front road with tons of parking and a huge stretch of sand and people and crashing waves. There was an open parking spot right in front of me.

It was a no-brainer, people.

I had my little lunch cooler with me, packed with a healthy lunch. I had a blanket in the trunk, a camera and two rubber duckies. I trooped down to the beach, getting sand in my ballet flats and not caring one whit.

And then I enjoyed some time eating, listening to the waves, people-watching, and taking pictures and videos. Which I present to you now.

When I reached my own patch of sand, the shoes came off first.

To my right.

To my left.

Two ducks at the beach. (Cali needs a bath. Oy vey.)

There were a bunch of surfers. I think they're nuts, but fun to watch.

Blackbird

My picnic consisted of apple slices, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, carrots,
and a Hershey Special Dark bar.

This is the life.

This gull kept creeping closer...

...and closer...

...and closer.

 Speaking of gulls:

Here comes a big one!

Crash! I love the Pacific.

Finally I got up and ventured closer to the water.

I was minding my business, getting my feet wet, and trying to get a pic of
Cali Swimmy in the foam.

When the water came up a little higher than I expected. Whoops!

I was really worried for my intrepid little duck, but aside from capsizing,
he was okay. Just rattled. We went back to our picnic spot right away.

Looking back up at the road.

Recovered from his scary moment.

Windy hair! My necklace, by the way, is from Etsy. It says "Mischief Managed,"
and it is awesome. Here's a link to it on Etsy.

Lordie, to live in one of these...

A pair of abandoned flip-flops.