A trip to a different Flat Rock!

[Sally]

Larry and I spent our 37th anniversary in Encinitas and surrounding beaches. We stayed at Lucadia Beach Inn, a quaint 50's era motel and ate lots of great vegetarian food in Encinitas. We visited the Seaside Bazaar (an open market where I used to sell my pottery years ago) on Sunday and walked all around the town.

The highlight of our weekend was on Monday when we took a 3-mile hike through Torrey Pines State Reserve along the ocean cliffs past Flat Rock and beyond the infamous Blacks Beach! We did not see any wild naked sunbathers, but we did find tide pools with beautiful marine life and interesting geological formations. I consulted tide tables so that our hike would coincide with the low tide for the best chance to see the tide pools. At the end of our hike we drove to the top of the cliffs and took in the rare Torrey Pines.

Although I'm a fullblown mountain girl, I thoroughly enjoyed the time with Larry on our beach weekend!

https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

[HH8]

Torrey Pines State Reserve along the ocean cliffs past Flat Rock and beyond the infamous Blacks Beach!

That brings back a lot of memories for a local like me. Doncha just luv the layers of geologic time there? Not as extensive as the Grand Canyon, but still thought-provoking and eye-catching. My favorite is the gray-green "Del Mar" layer of excellent potters clay. Surely you noticed that.

Blacks Beach is a tad further south, but still north of Scripps pier by La Jolla Shores beach.

[zippetydude]

Hi Sally, thanks for the post. That sounds like a great way to spend an anniversary. I came across Torrey Pines purely by chance one time years ago when I was in San Diego at a conference. I was amazed at how beautiful it was even though I, like you, am most at home in the mountains. Happy Anniversary to you both!

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Looks like a really nice time to me. Thanks for sharing.

HJ

[Lermo]

Hi Sally,

Congratulations on your 37th wedding anniversary! Looks like you guys had a nice relaxing time.

[arocknoid]

Hi Sally!
Late reply...

Congrats on the anniversary, and what a marvelous place to relax with each other.

We might have crossed paths in the old days in the corridor of Del Mar, Cardiff, Leucadia, Encinitas (and SB/LJ).

Decades ago I lived in that area, some of the best times ever, including many an afternoon and sunset spent soaring along the bluffs from the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Agreed to forgo Hang gliding post-nup; no regrets on that trade-off. (ehh, maybe a smidjin)

The switchback road through TPSP makes a nice alternate for runs or rides vs. the equally long-and-steep Coast Hwy route. (I suspect the north end gate has more tightly controlled access than the previous yellow bar that was biker friendly.) A rare and pleasant mix of pine scent with salt air, different than central and north coast mixes.

Thanks for the pix and post, and here's a wish for many more years of wedded bliss to you two.

kind regards,
arocknoid

[Sally]

Hi y'all! A belated thank you to all the anniversary congratulations! Staying married for 37 years is like taking a good long hike: It helps to keep focused on all the good stuff, and to remember that the hard uphills are just getting you closer to the great views.

Hey HH8, We were fascinated by the cliffs but I did miss the nice potters' clay, darn. It's been a while since I've mixed up a batch of found clay. Also I thought we walked through Black's Beach because of a few signs saying something about keeping the clothes on!

arocknoid, we saw some hang gliders, very cool! There was also a lot of military jet activity going on. The jets would appear over the cliffs out of nowhere, and in a flash they would disappear over the ocean.