87. Beach's Bully Birds

Gulls, what most of us refer to as seagulls, are a familiar sight on the beaches of SoCal.

In the opinion of your SoCal gal, one gull with their full adult plumage is actually majestic looking.

The majority of the time, though, you see many gulls in noisy colonies.  These birds are said to be carnivores.  Yet, are they smart or dumb (they do have bird brains after all), as they appear to be game enough to scavenge anything they perceive may be food?

The accompanying video shows a small plastic container full of tartar sauce, which had fallen off the Manhattan Beach Pier railing above to the beach sand below.  A couple of adult gulls claimed this "find" immediately.  It wasn't long before other gulls joined in.  The accompanying video shows what went down.

While your SoCal gal has never been bothered or harassed personally by these bully birds, she did witness them harassing another bird who had just caught a fish at the Venice canals.  There have also been reports of gulls swooping in and stealing food from people.  You know what they say?  Praemonitus Praemunitus.

BTW, when your SoCal gal was in Hawai'i, one of her O'ahu tour guides mentioned there are no seagulls in Hawaii.  I know!  Hard to believe.  Is it true?  Click here to find out.

51. Just Passing Through

Most of the time I write about places to see in SoCal which are pretty much permanent, like Point Dume (pronounced doo-may) in Malibu, not faces.  For this blog post I make an exception.  For this blog post I am writing about someone who is so much more than a face.  Someone who has given himself the moniker, hobo.

I feel fortunate to have spent some time with this happy-go-lucky hobo, aka Keith Salender, before the current rain-athon the greater Los Angeles area has been experiencing.

When I last saw Keith at the Manhattan Beach Pier on a beautiful and sunny Saturday, he was off to continue his trek which started in a place known for gray skies and rain, Seattle.  His destination: the U.S. Commonwealth (I like that word) of Pennsylvania.  Taking the long way.  Down the Pacific Coast.  Across the southern U. S. of A. to Georgia.  Then up the Appalachian Trail to Pennsylvania.  That's the plan.

I feel fortunate that this fine young man, who reminds me of one of my own sons, has friended me on Facebook so I may be updated on his progress.  According to a recent post, Keith has already reached Dana Point, which according to MapQuest is about sixty miles from Manhattan Beach.

Sixty miles in six days in the most consecutive rain this area has had in five years.  Did I mention accomplishing this trek by walking?  Walking!  You know...one foot in front of the other...one step at a time with his only bag of tricks, the backpack that travels with him.  I told him it reminded me of the movie, "Up In The Air" with George Clooney.  He hadn't seen it.  Guess he's been busy.

Now one might think all of this rain would make "Keith the Hobo" sad, desirous of pity or something similar.  You decide considering what this hobo has been doing to stay entertained during his slowed down trek agenda during this rain-athon.  Cry?  Hardly!  Complain?  I don't think so.  Wine?  No thanks!  He's off of caffeine and alcohol during his trip.

Keith is teaching himself songs (which he is referring to as "dittys") and recording them on his now fallen-off-a-cliff, a little-worse-for-wear ukulele.  He's also managed to find ways to upload the "dittys" to YouTube to his "Keiththehobo" channel.

Who needs a flashlight when you have that 100-watt smile to light your way.  God speed, my friend.

 *****March 22, 2010 Update*****

Keith has been following the railroad tracks that run parallel and close to I-10.  Your SoCal gal met Keith at Point Dume on January 13, 2010.  On March 13, he entered New Mexico and should be entering Texas in the next day or two.

Keith ran into an interesting phenomenon while in New Mexico's dessert, snow.  If you wish to see his video showcasing this phenom, please click here.

47. Any Given Monday

Whether the tide is high or the tide is low...whether it is any given Monday or any other day of the week...one sight you can be sure to find, admire and appreciate (at least if you are me) when you visit a pier at one of the many Los Angeles County beaches are surfers joyously riding the ocean's waves.

While I have no desire (currently) to learn and join the surfers, I feel I easily share their energetically emitted joy simply in the watching.  While in a generic fashion what one sees is called surfing, each ride of the wave is unique.  Either the surfer will be different, or the sky, the waves, the water temperature, the wind, the clouds...hmmm, I guess I just figured out why I can visit the beach so often and never tire of doing so.  You never know what awaits you and your sightseeing pleasure.

38. December Rain

On Monday, December 7, 2009 I awoke to rain.  As I mention in my October 14th post, seeing rain in L.A. is a sightseeing event in and of itself.  This particular morning was even more of an event since it included continuous rain with the kind of dark clouds which made it seem like it is still night out when it is day.  Not that I feel I had anything planned, but the rain had me feeling like there was no way I was leaving my "crib" all day.

Or so I thought.  Despite all the weather reports at around 3 PM the sun was out and it looked like the rain was done.  Thank you.  Now I didn't need to find my umbrella.  Thank you.  Now I would go to Manhattan Beach Pier to see what the rain and wind may be doing to the beach and waves.  Thank you.  Now I would get to see how Manhattan Beach decked its so-called "halls" for the holidays.  Also, I noted signage advising Manhattan Beach would be having a holiday Fireworks Festival at the pier Wednesday, December 16th from 4 to 7 PM.

As I drove down Manhattan Beach Boulevard toward the pier with the Guns n Roses song, November Rain, playing on my favorite radio station, KLOS, most of the signs of rain were already drying...but the wind.  Whooooo!!!

As you watch the included video, you will get a sense of the winds effects.  I did think the waves would be larger.  On the other hand, the setting sun and clouds (which are rarely found in the L.A. sky) display just about took my breath away.

The Universe also gave me an additional gift for my effort.  During my excursion the electricity went out at home for almost an hour.  Instead of being home handicapped by no electricity, I was out enjoying the painted sky at the Manhattan Beach Pier.  Thank you.

17. 2Beach - Manhattan Beach Pier

On a clear, sunny day (which most are in Manhattan Beach, the South Bay of L.A.) it seems fairly obvious to go to the beach to lay out in the sun and bathe.  This is awesome during about half the year.  Even though from about March to November you can get by without a jacket, the water stays a fairly consistent temperature that doesn't make it conducive to swimming or being in the water too long without a wet suit from about October to April.  Always a good idea to check.

So, 2Beach or not 2Beach?  That was the question.

Aaaahhhhhhh!  There's so much more to do at this beach than sun bathe.

Walking:  You can walk the cement path also known as the Strand.  You can walk the wet sand right by the water's edge.

Biking:  There's a bike path.

Volleyball:  Manhattan Beach is considered the home of beach volleyball.

Swimming

Surfing:  Traditional, Wind or Paddle

Photography

Walking the Pier: Alone or with a date

Fishing from the end of the Pier

The Roundhouse Aquarium:  The aquarium at the end of the pier.  This is the only place to buy food or beverages only during Roundhouse hours (weather permitting).

Watching the Sunset, Sunrise or for dolphins

There are restrooms and showers to wash off the sand and salt water. 

If you drive to the Pier, you want to be sure to bring plenty of quarters to feed the meter.  Twenty-five cents buys you 10 minutes.

Pets are allowed ONLY on the Strand.  No pets on the beach or on the Pier.  No smoking is allowed.  No nudity (just wanted to see if you are paying attention).

Please, please, please be sure to use the trash receptacles.

And please, please, please watch for bikers when you cross the bike path.  Also, remember the bike path is for bikes.  NOT for walkers.  That's what the Strand is for.

Before I end and include the video I did for this post, I leave with the following: T. Harv Eker has written that the poor think "or" and the rich think "and".  One could easily make a magnificent day at Manhattan Beach by parking closer to downtown (you are not a slave to putting quarters in the meter) where you have the best of both worlds; all the activities at the beach and all the shopping and dining not at the beach.

Just thought of a couple more things:  shell hunting, bird watching and Frisbee tossing.  Oh my!

16. To Beach or Not To Beach? That Is The Question.

Thought this might be a nice way to give you a quick taste of Manhattan Beach Pier



and not Manhattan Beach Pier (Downtown Manhattan Beach)



Then I'll tackle each a bit more in depth in the next two blog posts.

Until we cyber meet again.

15. California Historical Landmark No. 1018

NO. 1018 MANHATTAN BEACH STATE PIER - Designed by City Engineer A.L. Harris, this pier was constructed by the City of Manhattan Beach during the years 1917-1920. The roundhouse building was added a year later. Harris' innovative design featured a rounded end to the pier, which helped it withstand the pounding of the Pacific. Although the roundhouse was reconstructed in 1989, the pier itself survives as Southern California's oldest remaining example of early reinforced concrete pier construction.
Location: West of Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach

This was one of my delightful surprises.  For all of the times I've been by the pier I never took notice that it is one of California's Historical Landmarks.  Architecturally, the Manhattan Beach Pier is beautiful and oft photographed.  Below is one of my attempts.

 I have more posts to share from Manhattan Beach, but for now I take this opportunity to copy the post I did for the California Historical Landmark, sunset at Point Dume (do-may), especially since it was another surprise that I was able to film what seemed to be a very close sun.  Enjoy.

P.S.  Notice how clean Manhattan Beach is and the architectural beauty of the lamp posts that flank the pier and mimic the round theme.

14. Feels Like The First Time

Like the dutiful Tour Guide Goddess I am, of course I would go to the Manhattan Beach Pier to give my awesome readers the low down on the pier and expose what a different experience it is from El Porto.

As just about every day is beautiful and sunny, sometimes I can forget it is fall.  When I left at 6 PM to go to the pier had I remembered it is October and how early the sun goes down, I would have made a point to go earlier.  Too late.  Too bad.  Or was it?

There are many roads which lead to the pier. As I pondered them, I decided the best would be drive south to Manhattan Beach Boulevard and go west.  I know.  Clever.  Manhattan Beach Boulevard takes you directly to downtown Manhattan Beach and the pier.

What I hadn't pondered was the almost audible gasp I let out at my first sighting of the ocean.  As you continue west on Manhattan Beach Boulevard and pass Pacific Avenue, Manhattan Beach Boulevard starts to lose elevation.  As you drive this way there is what almost seems like a visual illusion where now you don't see it, now you do.  If you are like me with my inexplicable love for the ocean, after not having seen the ocean for so long (you know...about a day), any first ocean glimpse for me is almost like seeing it for the first time.

The more I thought about the different posts I would make, the more I desired to see if I could somehow share this moment with you by filming it.  I vowed to return the next day and film the view.  Next day came and it was overcast.  I didn't think that would make too much of a difference.  So, off I went.  I parked by Pacific and Manhattan Beach Boulevard reasoning it might make for more dramatic filming if I walked instead of trying to film and drive at the same time.

It just wasn't the same by foot.  Before you ponder feeling sorry for me, know it wasn't a total bust.  I was able to prove to myself I can walk, talk, chew gum AND film at the same time without falling.  Also, there was much going on worthy of filming and sharing, which was satisfying.

I intended on leaving it at that when the very next day I found out I will be the L.A. Destination Examiner for examiner.com.  At least as I write this it is all in process.  Process means emailing examiner.com a photo...of me.  Aaaaaaaggggghhhhh!  As you may or may not know I use the smiley face as my avatar for all my web presences.  I did not possess an appropriate photo of me in digital form to email examiner.com.

Did you see that light bulb flash?

I could give the video view one more shot and have my photo taken with the ocean in the background, which seems appropriate.  I'd go about sunset time to get the colors.  I'd have my camera ready and film that first moment from my car to see if that made a difference.  It would be better than good.  It would be golden.

Three Strikes You're Out!
The view still didn't seem to be the same magical "something" that had me almost gasp with delight as I caught that first glimpse of the ocean.  I'm including the video anyway.  Maybe it will move you.

Before you go feeling sorry for me, know it wasn't a total bust.  I still got a photo I am almost happy with.  That's almost a miracle in itself.  Plus, the entire three day experience left me with a new found appreciation for the Manhattan Beach Pier area I previously did not possess.  It also inspired me with the title for this blog post and an esoteric mind trip about how something as generic as going to the beach doesn't mean that each time is not unique.  Each experience is unique.  Each can certainly feel like the first time if you let it.

And with that to quote Bob Hope, "Thanks for the memories."




Below is a bonus video showing what the sky looked like the first night I mention in this blog post and what the view looked like as I was walking (also mentioned).  Enjoy.

13. Paparazzi

After visitng the Manhattan Beach Pier as I said I would, I have about 500 (okay, 5 at least) blogs I could easily do and one in particular that I wanted to be the first of the series.

Ahhhhh, so much for the best laid plans and definitely in the category of "life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are going to get".

Here was one of the views from the pier that I captured with my video camera.  Almost made me feel a little like the paparazzi's paparazzi.

Enjoy!