Sunday Morning coming down

Encinitas to Del Mar
September 7, 2014

There was a lot going on this morning along highway 101. A hurricane in Mexico was sending good surfing waves to the California coastline, and the board people were out in droves enjoying the hot, humid weather and the big water. There was a bike rally that began in Solana Beach, and as we walked along the causeway near the Chart House, numerous bikers with their numbers on rolled by.

A surf dog contest was taking place at Dog Beach in Del Mar. This has become a popular event with numerous tent concessions, hundreds of people, and many surfing canines. At first I was skeptical of the prowess of the surfing dogs. When we arrived there were only two intermediate sized dogs left in their class to ride the waves. The first one did well, until a big wave knocked him off his board.  The second pup was lower to the ground, and he rode his board beautifully. I don’t know if he had established moves, but he seemed to have both good form and experience.

We walked a few yards hoping to see the Paws Paddle, an event that featured dog and owner riding a paddleboard. Unfortunately the humans were slow getting things ready, though the dogs seemed ready to go. I was amazed at how well behaved the dogs were. They didn’t fight and only barked, when they wanted their owners to throw a tennis ball into the surf. Obviously these animals had been to the beach before.

We continued on our walk past Powerhouse Park, where people had spread their blankets on the ground in anticipation of a concert to be held later in the day. Walking up hill, we hoped to have breakfast at Sibicca’s or the American Café, but both places were too busy. We made do with coffee and a bagel at Bruegger’s.  As soon as we started up the hill into Del Mar Heights, the noise abated, and few people seemed to be out. We walked by our friends, Matt Zetumer and Lynn Corrin’s house. They were in San Francisco visiting their son Sam, who was beginning medical school, so we didn’t bother stopping in.

Eventually we arrived home and a waiting pool. Our journey through Southern California Beach Culture was over.