CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS – NOT QUITE!

Christmas is just a little different in California!  No…the word “different” doesn’t really do justice to what Christmas is here.  Oh sure, we have our traditional Christmas trees, mall Santas, and neighborhood decorations.  But because of the weather and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, some things just seem different to a guy like me who spent his childhood years in the midwestern deep freeze of Iowa.

This past weekend found me loading up my bike and heading down the coast to the Crystal Cove State Park to experience some extreme biking!  And I do mean EXTREME!  If you’ve followed my blog very long, then you know I own two beach cruiser bikes.  One is what I refer to as my “beater” bike.  It’s the one I take if I’m planning a ride that is some distance away.  My other bike is what I refer to as my “smooth” bike.  This is the bike I generally ride at the beach – because it’s…smooth!  Both bikes are single gear cruisers making a ride such as this extremely challenging!  You see, Crystal Cove State Park is set among the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.  Translation: extreme changes in elevation!!

Eventually, you find yourself on the one trail that will lead you to the Beachcomber Restaurant.  Located right on the sand at the south end of the park, this place draws people from all over the world.

With the temperature hovering around 80 degrees, I captured these Christmas scenes while waiting for a table at the Beachcomber.

See, I told you it was different here.  How many places can boast a Christmas tree on the beach?

Only here will you see Santa’s helpers taking a barefoot break to dip their toes in the Pacific Ocean.

Oh, look at that!  There’s a couple of chairs available right now for anyone looking for a break from the cold!  What are you waiting for?  But, you better act fast!

Too late!  You snooze, you lose!  Empty chairs just don’t last very long!

Some things remain the same!  Candy cane decorations are just as popular here as anywhere!

QUICK!  It looks like the chairs are available once again!  Why don’t you get out of that cold and take some time to soak up some California sun?  We’d love to have you!

Oh sure, I can hear some of you saying, “That’s OK, I’ll take my white Christmas!”  Don’t think for a minute I don’t love a white Christmas – because I do!  That’s why I’ll be taking that 90 minute drive to the mountains over the holidays for a “day” in the snow!!  But then, it’ll be back to the beach for me!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Wherever you happen to be – warm weather, bitter cold, or somewhere in between, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season this year.  And remember, when you’re opening those gifts and celebrating the festivities with your family and friends – it’s also the time of year to celebrate the greatest gift of all!

Merry Christmas Everyone!! 

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~ by photographyfree4all on December 13, 2010.