Epic waves, maaaaan!

Trip Start Apr 20, 2012

Trip End Ongoing

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Where I stayed

Jolie and Ryan's

Flag of United States Newport Beach, California
Saturday, April 21, 2012

Today was unusually foggy for Newport so we still haven't had a true day of sunshine. But that didn't stop us from walking around Corona del Mar and over to the Farmer's Market to pick up asparagus and olives for tonight's dinner.
We walked along the beach and each added the different homes to our wishlists.
Then we crossed the bridge to Balboa Island and took a five-minute ferry to one of the most extreme beaches in the world, The Wedge at Newport Beach. We were completely mesmerized by how awesome the skimboarders and boogie boarders were (hehe we said "boogie"). The location of the rock jetty seemed to manufacture waves from an otherwise calm ocean. After a sharp break, the retreating water would bounce off the rocks to make this kinda sideways wave run parallel to the shoreline, which merged with a tube that always seemed to collapse on the rider after giving them enough time for a couple of cool tricks

Corona del Mar beach

. The result was always some oohs and ahhs, immediately followed by tumbling bodies, flailing limbs and floating board and fins. Bret has vowed to come back after I learn CPR; I have vowed to never set foot in that water.*
Luckily we were able to get a pretty good video of one of our favorite surfers, a skinny little kid we'll call Kunu.
Next we headed to the pier on 21st street where we saw some sea lions, pelicans and dolphins. The fisherman lined up elbow-to-elbow on the railing and were constantly flipping their rods. They were raking in the little fishes! 2, 3 and sometimes 4 at a time, believe it or not. The only limit seemed to be how many hooks they could tie on one line.**
Fast forward to dinner, where Bret and Ryan took care of grilling the steak skewers and barbecue chicken, and Jolie and I took care of the sides and the wine.
At around 11pm the guys lit up some wood in the front yard fire pit and we sat around talking for a few hours until I started dozing off and imagining conversations that never happened.
A great end to a great day in SoCal.

*Surf report provided by Bret Hirsch.
**Fishing report provided by Bret Hirsch.

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Palm tree-lined street	I'm a sucker for succulents	Ryan and Jolie on the ferry	On the ferry
Corona del Mar Comments!	Slow down!	The Tiki Bar	Dinner is served!
Front Yard Fire Pit	Snails! Comments!	Flip, flip, flipadelphia	Our friend Kunu Comments!