Friday, May 29, 2015

Mini Road Trip

I had one of my serendipity days. The morning was all work and then the afternoon turned into an adventure when my son suggested we drive down to Newport Beach. Once we got through all the traffic between here and there, we parked near the beach and walked out on the pier and watched the waves crashing against the slopping shore and the fishermen lined up along the sides.

When we were done with the pier we walked past tee shirts stores and beer joints offering happy hour specials before we got to a street that ran along the water. A boat from Catalina was just docking near the blue terminal building. A sign on the building listed how many whales and dolphins had been spotted that day. We passed on a whale watching expedition and continued down the street past a small Ferris wheel, pizza places and souvenir shops. Our destination was the ferry to Balboa Island. The ferry is quite small, though it takes a few cars. The ride takes only a few minutes and cost $1, but when you get off you feel like you’re in a different place.

I loved this house. It made me feel like I’d left California and was in Cabot Cove.




We walked down a street of charming stores as we looked for Starbucks.




As we boarded the ferry to go back to Newport Beach, this sailboat of people off to watch the sunset went by.




We were only gone hours, but I came home feeling like I’d been on a vacation.

6 comments:

Planner said...

Thanks for the vicarious pleasure trip! I went to Balboa Island once when I was a young girl, and it was a real treat and very charming. It's amazing that you can take a ferry ride over there for just $1.

I'm glad you had such a delightful afternoon.

Betty Hechtman said...

Planner, it only costs $2 for a car! It was a great afternoon with lots and lots of walking.

Linda O. Johnston said...

What a fun-sounding, spur of the moment outing, Betty! I'd love to do that someday.

Betty Hechtman said...

Linda, it was great. I thought of you because while we were walking back to the ferry, we passed a man with a King Charles Spaniel. It was a busy time for people walking their dogs. We saw some cats as well. Balboa Island seems like a great place for pets.

chkntza said...

What a lovely memory. I was just there a few weeks ago. And I did the same thing: rode the ferry and walked around. We had lunch at one of the restaurants on the main street too. What a fun trip!

Betty Hechtman said...

Miriam, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed a trip there, too. We are lucky to so many great places nearby.