The Other Shining Sea

Monday, 8/18/08

We spent Sunday night in San Diego and then headed toward the coast. After Dan purchased his California fishing license, he was eager to stalk Corbina in Torrey Pines State Park. Melody was eager to see the ocean and nap in the sun:) We walked the shore until we found the perfect spot with sandstone cliffs behind us and the glorious Pacific Ocean in front. The fish were there and we saw them, but they lived up to their reputation as being spookier than a Flats Permit. Regardless, it was a beautiful day at the beach and we were thankful for it.

On our way out of town, we stopped for gas in Oceanside. Melody spotted a parked bike with a Chihuahua sitting in the front and a skateboard lashed to the side. The dog just patiently waited, looking at the door of the shop, until his owner returned. Once inside, Melody and Dan met Lincoln, the cashier. He moved here from Bangladesh over 20 years ago, and he has family scattered all over the world. He likes Southern California because it has the same climate as his homeland. After taking one look at Melody, he quickly assessed that she has a good heart. He said that working many years behind the counter with Chevron has made him an excellent judge of character. Dan agreed wholeheartedly with Lincoln's reading.

We journeyed up the coast and checked into a European boutique hotel on Seal Beach, just minutes from our primary target for Tuesday: The Autism Partnership Clinic. Tonight, however, we had friends to meet for coffee. Back when our good friends Mike and Nancy were getting married, we met James and Danielle. Both James and Danielle are very talented with media, photography and videography. Recently, they have relocated from Northern Virginia to Burbank, California, as James pursues his career in film making. It was great to meet up with them on the West Coast and share how things are going in all of our lives. We related to and were encouraged by their convictions to follow their dreams in spite of the challenges. This is adventure in its truest form!