Monday, March 17, 2014

Surf Series

Hang loose. Stoked. Rip. Shred. Yo. Swell. Mavericks. SurfBetty. Gnarly. Diva. Curl. Mahalo.

A surfer's lifestyle is alluring. For one thing, they like to get up early to watch the sun come up. Most likely they're enjoying a good cup of coffee, barefoot on the shore. They're observant and patient and laid back, but serious in judging a set of waves. Contemplative and free. The still of the morning, the golden sand, the sea foam froth, waves curling for the surfer and her board.

Paddle out, catch a wave, fly.

In Morro Bay with my parents, taking our time walking the boardwalk, we found the sea otters lounging around on their backs, long legged egrets and herons tiptoeing around and sea lions soaking up the sun on the dock.

Cayucos offered up colorful pieces of beach glass and some tumbled wood and moss 'sponges'. Gifts from the salty sea.

What an amazing place the central coast is.

I didn't wear socks the whole time I was in California. One morning I saw that it was snowing in Wyoming, and I just laughed. But, what do you suppose I did when we got back yesterday? We went skiing, of course!

I learned the same thing as I always do when coming down from my high after traveling. And that is this:

There is nowhere else I'd rather live than right here, on my sage dotted prairie, in one of the last wild places.

Wyoming. Like no place on earth.

 

 

 

 

21 comments:

  1. You can visit the gorgeous ocean and still come home to the wilds of Wyoming - that's pretty great. Sea otters - how fun to see! I hope to see sea otters on our summer vacation to the San Juan Islands off Washington.

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    1. You're in for a treat this summer! The San Juan's are suppose to be incredible. I look forward to what you discover out there. I wonder if you will see whales? Yes, I can appreciate the two worlds. I love the ocean, but not as much as the wild. PS: Diana, it's snowing right now. :/

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  2. Geweldig om je zo een met de elementen te voelen.

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  3. i am less definitive than you in my absolute preference for one place over the other-- i am oddly rooted in both places. i wrote a poem, once it's in you it's never gone, which was about other things and yet seems all-encompassing. i guess by virtue of the fact that i keep coming back to colorado and that is where our land is i am at home here. but in two weeks when i'm in monterey, well...

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    1. Ahh...yeah, Monterey will do that to a person. Especially if your roots are there, like yours are. It's one of the loveliest places in CA. so I understand how you are torn. I didn't always feel so positive about my sense of place. And to tell you the truth, I could change my mind next month and start wondering again, "is this where i truly belong?" It's just the more I travel to other places, I do a lot of comparing, and WY always seems to win out. I really want to be content and stop thinking the grass is greener. It's been a struggle, Janet.
      Thank you for such thoughtful insight. x

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  4. I can't tell - is that you in any of the surfing pics?? I have always wanted to learn how to surf. I guess I should learn how to swim first :)

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    1. You crack me up, Keith. Yes, learn to swim, Dude!
      I remember your Florida trip last year. (Definitely need swimming lessons!)
      That was a close call.
      Nope, I've not surfed on a board, except a boogie board, which are fun.
      Those kids out there are just locals, tearing it up. I dream of surfing one day.

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  5. Looks like it was fun & relaxing. (Although we did miss you last week!) I'm so looking forward to our trip to Oceanside at the end of April. I need that peace and zen that only comes from the salty air and the crashing of the waves.

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    1. Oh Jenn, I can see it now. You at the beach, bare feet in the sand, finding your own sanddollars and feeling calm and carefree. Breathe...
      I can hear the laughter and delight from your little guy, already!

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    2. I'm most excited about watching him. He loved it last time and still looks at pictures, but I'm not sure he remembers it.

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  6. I think today it is working!!!
    I love the oceans more than anywhere on the planet....I am glad you were here

    xxx

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    1. Yes, your home near the ocean is exactly where you belong. It really does soothe the soul. It's cleansing.
      See you next year!

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  7. i love how you describe it - and telling stories as well. i did a filming on a surfing competition last year for a tv show and i learned that about surfers. such a lovely day.

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    1. Wow. Getting the inside scoop on the surfing world! I'd love that!
      I suppose there is good surfing around Bali?
      I must go find out for myself, yah? ;)

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  8. love you so much, red dirt.
    my snow-lovin' heart is ready for spring.
    i may not have surf, but i shall have birds a-flittin' and singing, and my green grass to pluck for my bunny.

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    1. I'd rather have bird song and grass eating bunnies than surf.
      Oh YOU. xxxx

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  9. I've always wanted to visit Wyoming. It looks beautiful!

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    1. Hey there Samantha!
      Actually, Wyoming has no ocean, just huge, magnificent rivers!
      I was vacationing in California, on the central coast, where I took these pictures. But seriously, Wyoming is more than just beautiful. ;)

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  10. Listen to you, all happy to be home in that big, wonderful Wyoming! Hope you had a great time in Cali, let those waves sooth your soul and brought home a pocketful of beach glass. Such adventures are good for the soul, sister. xx

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  11. There are places that are beautiful to visit and to revere.... and then there is home,,, where roots drink deeply of that space... :)
    Spring and warmth will undeniably come and you will be running barefoot on your land.
    xo

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