Three generations at the beach in Southern California in the early 70’s.
It’s time for another summertime Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!
1. When does time pass slowly for you?
When waiting on news from a loved one. When flying from Seattle to the U.K.
When does time pass quickly for you?
When spending time with loved ones and watching how fast our grandchildren grow from stage to stage.
2. Do you have a favorite beach? What’s your favorite ‘beach’ activity? Tell us what we’d find in your beach bag.
Laguna Beach in the early 70’s.
Over the years favorite beaches included, Newport, Huntington, Laguna, Emma Wood (Ventura), San Clemente, and Refugio (campground on the beach above Santa Barbara).
In my 74 years of life, over half of those years were lived close enough to a beach to spend a day there or just a few miles from a beach. Our sons were born while we lived in Huntington Beach and our daughter was born in Ventura which is also a ‘beach’ town. In my younger years I loved to be in the waves or do a little body surfing. In high school, I enjoyed playing ‘Hearts’ on a beach towel with friends slathering on the cocoa butter to get a tan (I know…dumb). With small children, I didn’t like the beach because of all the sand I had to clean off everyone, the sand in the food and the panic I’d feel about them being swept away in the waves. In my older days we lived temporarily in Camarillo a short distance to the beach. I loved to have a walk on the beach before dawn and watch the waves and the sea birds. Currently, I’m not a fan of being on the beach on a hot day. If I’m going to spend any amount of time on the beach it will be in the Winter, at sunrise or sunset.
My bag is most likely in the car and I would be hands free except for my camera or my cell phone. I would be taking photos of the birds and the surfers and the waves. I’d have sunblock on and a hat. I would be walking along the shore and not sitting. 🙂
Cousins camping at Refugio State Beach in California, 1984.
3. Your favorite book or movie with a beach setting?
Flipper and Voyage of the Dawn Treader
4. What’s a food you love, but find it’s a pain to eat? Is it worth it?
Love is a strong word. I enjoy mussels and they aren’t the easiest to eat. Caramels are delicious but they might pull out a crown. Peanut brittle is another thing that can be dangerous for teeth but is delicious.
5. Do you like roller coasters? What’s the best (or worst) roller coaster you’ve been on?
Big Thunder Mountain January of 2023.
I enjoy the Disney rides that are roller coasterish like, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, or Space Mountain. I’m not a fan of carnival rides.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Addy and JJ below the Huntington Beach Pier in the town where their Dad and Uncle were born.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
On our last trip to Cali we walked along the Laguna walkway-it was beautiful! I still love the beach but there needs to be some shade somewhere. My younger daughter is bringing a tailgate tent for us this year so the babies especially can have shade. The seasons somehow move more quickly with grandchildren, maybe because we’re not in the thick of the day to day. Our oldest turns 8 this weekend and I feel like we were just awaiting his birth. Hope you have a great day!
Joyce, If I have to stay put at a beach instead of walk along the shore, you’ll find me under an umbrella. They have such great shade items for beaches these days. Our oldest was 8 in March and yes, where did the time fly?
Happy memories and wonderful family photos. Take care, have a great day!
Thank you so much, Eileen.
What a lovely post, Ellen. I love these because I learn a bit more about you each week. Have a wonderful day! xx
Dianna, I appreciate our virtual and spiritual friendship. 🙂
…you are making this beach bum miss the beach!
Tom, I remember your winter times in Hawaii.
Those beach pics are so good! You are fortunate to have lived close to beaches almost your whole life! I have not been so lucky; I try to really appreciate each trip to the ocean I’ve been able to take. Your outfit in the first pic is so chic and stylish for today :). Have a great day!
Maria, Thank you for your kind comment. My days of chic are well gone. 🙂
I LOVE all the photos. I have only been on an ocean beach a few times in my lifetime. I have Lake Superior not to far away from me.. I am thankful for that. 🙂
Carla
Carla, those great lakes look like oceans! Thanks for stopping by.
Wonderful beachy pictures and stories!!! I love the beach anytime of the year tho the ocean is far from where I live. Thankful for the closest beach on Lake Huron, Ontario.
Thank you, Rosella. We have lakes here to appreciate, too, instead of the ocean.
Oh I just love your old pictures. I have a few that look like that as well as I grew up in the 70s. The only beach I’ve been to on the west coast is one in La Push Washington which was absolutely breathtaking.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Those Washington State coast line beaches are quite rugged and beautiful.
Those are such sweet family memories!
Mary, The memories are magnified with photos. I’m glad we thought to take some those days.
The think I like about the beach is walking down by the water. I feel more at home in the woods.
Karen, you live the perfect spot for you.
I can imagine time going to slowly when travelling from Seattle to the UK.
How wonderful to live so close to the beach for lots of your life. What wonderful memories you have, fantastic photos!
Kim, thank you. And many of my favorite memories are in your country. 🙂
loved reading this post and smiled at your past beach days. So true about slathering on cocoa butter or coconut milk to give a better tan. Now it’s all about covering up and sun blocks. Times change. Love the three generations photo and the handbags:) B x
Your Hodgepodge’s are always delightful. Thanks Ellen!
I agree, when we spend time with our loved one that time just passes to quickly. That is so awesome about that camping trip and I love the pictures. Yes, Disney rides can be a lot of fun. Addy and JJ at the beach is so darn cute.
It’s funny . . . I love the beach when I am there, and yet, I hardly ever go. It takes time to prep and then clean it all up after I get back, so I usually just wait for a group outing.
Would it surprise you to know that one of my favorite beach movies is Jaws?!
Cheryl, Yes, that is a surprising favorite beach movie. 🙂 Gave me a good chuckle.
😄
I had so much trouble thinking of a beach movie – forgot all about Voyage of the Dawn Treader and those were some great beach scenes. What a treat it must have been to spend so much time at the beaches where you grew up. I agree it’s a little more nerve wracking going to the beach with little kids in tow. LOVE that last photo of Addy and JJ!! Iconic!! Hope you’re having a great week!
Kym, as with many things we really took the beaches for granted. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comment. Hope things are cooling down in your neck of the woods.
What fun beach photos! Some of the best memories are made at the beach, aren’t they? Living near the beach sounds like fun…or maybe crowded:) I really enjoyed your beachy Hodge Podge!
Jennifer, When we were young crowds didn’t bother us but now…I do like to avoid them. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
I LOVED those photos..so awesome.