BEACHHHHHHHH

Yesterday I hadt the honor of photographing a 50th bday party at the Cliff’s Restaurant in Laguna Beach.

Do you know my favorite place in the world?

Laguna Beach.

Funny enough; in all my years in Orange County, I had never been to the Cliffs Restaurant before.

When I got my license at 16, one of the first places I drove was to Laguna Main Beach. Down the 133 and parked. I love the shops as well as the beach itself.

There used to be an old bookstore on the corner of PCH and Ocean. It was a used book store, so it smelled old. I loved it. I would sit on the floor and rummage through books. And then I would go to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and get a carmel apple with nuts. Yummmm…..

After my shopping, I would walk across and sit on a low cliff and write and listen to the waves. I honestly couldn’t get down there enough!!

Now that I’m older, I have a major appreciation for the beach, because my life is so busy, it’s few and far between that I get down there.

So to be invited to a 50th to hang out an party over the cliffs of Laguna Beach is a no brainer!

The party was great. Everyone had a great time and the Birthday Girl was thrilled. It was a humid night, which was kind of a bummer, because the party was outside.  But as the sun started setting, the air cooled.

The clouds in the sky looked a bit tropical. Not settled of puffy, but more laying in the sky like a disheveled blanket.

As the sun was setting over beach, the colors that came out were amazing. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The beauty of it all erased the humid sticky misery. Suddenly; we were all filled with excitement and wanted to get as many pictures as we could.

The birthday girl stood perched as she called more and more friends in to get their pictures taken with this glory.

Sunsets like that are few and far between, so we were taking as much advantage as we could.

After the sun finally set, everyone went inside to party.  I stayed outside, chatting with a few girls who had driven down for the event.  I figured it would be a quick chat, but before I knew it time had passed and guests started leaving.  Kind of funny to pick up two new friends.  But we honestly had a nice conversation.  I love meeting new people.  People, in general, fascinate me.  Turns out one of the girls is a daughter to an old 49ers player.  I didn’t ask which one, because I probably wouldn’t know him anyways.  It was a really nice night.

After our conversation waned a bit, we gathered up and went inside.  I almost laughed out loud, because this huge clump of buildings -that I assumed was all “the restaurant” was actually about 5 different businesses rolled into one courtyard.  The actual restaurant was tiny.  As a matter of fact, I don’t know how it could be called a restaurant, it was more like a room that was wall to wall bar with a tiny space for people to dance.

But it didn’t really matter what it was; the birthday girl was inside, dancing and having the time of her life.  The smiles were all that mattered.

I took a few more pictures and then headed out for the night (after, of course a few dances myself).  I gave my hugs and took off my shoes and headed to the beach.  There was no way I was going to get this close to the sand and not sink my feet into it.

My feet were killing me from the shoes.  For some reason, the souls of my feet felt blistered and sore.  I took my shoes off and walked the few blocks to the Main Beach.

As I got closer, the smell of the salty air grew thicker.  The sound of the waves grew louder.  And I gotta say; something happens to my soul as I get closer.  Suddenly the fatigue from carrying 15lbs of equipment all night just fades away and my senses are on high alert.  And then as I sit in the sand….I’m completely settled and content.  I could sit here for hours.   But I made a fatal mistake……

I checked my phone…….  Damn……

It was after 11pm and there was a text from one of my girls; “Where are you?”  Ughhhh……. REALLY????

I called Chris who told me the girls were waiting up for me to watch a movie.  I told him to tell them to go to bed; I knew by the time I got home they would be out anyways.  I told him I would be home shortly……  My peace somehow turned in to a little guilt.

I decided to settle in for just a few more minutes.  If I didn’t have my camera equipment, I would have jumped into the waves – and driven home wet.  I love the beach at night THAT much!!!  (I’ve done it before).

But as I resigned myself to children waiting at home, I picked up my stuff and started the trek back to the car.

It’s so funny.  I am so comfortable in Laguna, that even the back alleys don’t scare me.  I was all alone at midnight, in a dress, bare feet, shoes in hand and thousands of dollars of equipment hanging off my shoulders.  And I am walking the back alleys to go to my car.  Not a care in the world.  I don’t know what it is about that city.

I drove home with windows and sunroof open.  What a great night.

Why I don’t get down there more often is beyond me.  But I know now, I’m gonna make a greater effort.  There is no other feeling then when I’m at the beach at night!!

Happy Sunday