Tired Guy Takes a Break From the Heat

My theme song yesterday was “On the Road Again”

I was up at 3 am to take Mrs. Tired Guy, the better half, the little woman (she’s too busy to read this one : )  to the airport.  She is still coping with “Empty Nesting” after a year.  This time last year she was in Minneapolis helping her future brain surgeon or Nobel winner (she hasn’t decided her major yet) move in to become a Golden Gopher.

Yesterday it was time to escape the heat and head to Minnesota to she her “Baby” and spend time at the State Fair, Tubing on the Apple River and I’m sure watching Pride and Prejudice with the dreamy “Mr. Darcy” for the 1000th time (think I’m kidding . . .)

This was was going to leave the Tired Guy home with the two cats.  Mo man (also known as Oliver or “Cowboy”, because he looks like a Gateway computer box) and “Evil Incarnate” herself; don’t even ask.

Approaching Day 60 of Days over 100 this  year and knowing I’d been trying since February for a trip to Irvine, CA to see Suzi, the one I call “Doc” as in Doctor not as in one of the seven dwarfs.

Pack the Car and Fly, Drive

Like I said, 3 am, up and showered.  Off to the Tucson Airport for the flight to Minneapolis and the Driver having delivered “The Package” hopped on I-10 to I-8 to I-15 to St Route 52 (for 2 miles) to I-805 to I-5 and off at San Clemente and over to the Pier and the Fish and Chips shack.  (6 hours earlier)

I’m just about Marana when I get a message saying she is boarding and will let me know when her plane arrives in Denver.  I was just past Gila Bend when the “I’ve Landed in Denver” came in.  She had a lay over in Denver of about an hour giving me a little catchup time.  I was almost to Yuma when the “I’m boarding” came through.

More miles down the road and I was in California where the the wind turbines crest the hill and the Golden Nugget casino offers a smoky rest stop when the “I’m in Minneapolis”.

I knew I wouldn’t win this race. But it was fun to get within 46 miles of San Diego by the time the jet made it to Minneapolis. (back to the pier at San Clemente)

In an hour I was on the Pier in San Clemente.  The wind was high and the surf pounding.  I walked to the end of the Pier and ordered my fish and chips.  What a wonderful feeling, I was cold (almost cold) Like a wilted plant getting a refreshing drink and feeling empowered to go on.  I finished lunch and walked back to the beach.  Took my sandals off let me feet feel the cold sand and the ocean water.

I shot a few more photos, (My camera had been in withdrawal as well in the heat of summer.   The D300 and I were in heaven.  The guy with his coat dragging on the street hanging out the back door was a favorite.  The sun, waves, beach and smell of the ocean were a balm to this tired guy’s heart.

It was an hour up the coastal highway through towns with Beach in their names.  First came Dana Point where the Pilgrim is harbored.  Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and a few more sunny beaches and Irvine to the right.  Once I got unloaded we headed to Huntington Beach where Avila’s El Ranchito has the best Fajita plate I’ve ever eaten.

The rest of this week will be Tucson Tired (Not so tired in Irvine CA).  The grass here is green and the HOA doesn’t care, I’m lovin it.