Oceanside (Gaucho Reunion)

Two years ago when I was in California I met with my friend from university.  We chose an area that was halfway for both of us and that happened to be an In-N-Out in Oceanside.  We decided to meet at the same place this year.  After our delicious lunch we made our way to the pier.  Again we were lucky with the blue skies.  It was nice to have a stroll and catch up.  Since my friend was with her kids, she needed to head back home.  Leoš and I decided to stay a bit longer and walk around.  We ended the day with our walk in Dana Point.  The sunset was gorgeous. 

                                                                interesting design in the sand

                                                                    back in Dana Point

Crystal Cove and San Clemente walk

We decided to check out Crystal Cove during the day before we went on a walk in San Clemente with my mom.  It was a beautiful day and the sky was so blue.  It was a picturesque area and very relaxing to walk around.  We ate lunch on the beach while enjoying the sun.  Later in the afternoon, we made our way to San Clemente.  It was a nice day.

                                                                        Crystal Cove

                                                            driving back to Dana Point

                                                                        San Clemente

                                                         "don't worry this rock is vaccinated"

                                                               had to put my glasses on it!

                                                   Leoš is standing where the rock snake ends

                                                                    snow in the distance

                                                                    the end of the walk

Venice Beach (New Year's Day)

Leoš really wanted to check out Venice Beach because his hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger, sometimes lifts at Muscle Beach.  I thought that it would be a perfect to go on New Years day because there wouldn't be that much traffic.  We parked the car at a random spot and then made our way to the beach.  We sat on the beach and watched some kids slide down the sand hill with sleds as if it was snow.  It was quite funny.  Then we made our way towards Muscle Beach and the main area.  No one was working out in the outdoor gym so that was a bit of a disappointment.  Then I saw something that really shocked us, trdlnik.  Trdlnik is a dessert that has popped up like crazy in Praha.  Its a simple dough cooked on a spit and then covered in cinnamon sugar.   In Venice Beach you cannot just get the dough, it acts like a cone for your ice cream.  The prices were so crazy I couldn't believe my eyes.  In Praha if you get one with ice cream, the MAX you will pay is $6-7.  In Venice Beach the prices range from $13-28!!!!  It was a complete shock!  Of course we didn't get it because I hate it with ice cream.  I decided that Leos needed to try a staple County Fair food, deep fried oreos!  He was quite surprised that this even existed, but he liked it.  We enjoyed looking at the street art and all the interesting people walking around.  Just before leaving we walked through the Venice Canals.  They are nothing like to the canals in Italy, but it was still a nice walk. 

                                                                    kids sledding on the sand

                                                                         taken from the pier

                                                            no one working out!!

                                                             Leoš was wearing the perfect shirt

                                                                    holding the fried oreos

                                                    canals in Venice, not quite like in Europe