Van Life

Another beautiful August Friday. It felt like it took forever to get out of the house today. I had an impromptu meeting that felt like it lasted just a tad less then forever. I was on the road by about 10:15 and hoping to get into the water before the midday winds kick in.

I got to the parking lot and it was warm and clear skies. I parked next to a van that had a couple solar panels on the near by lawn. I tend to see a lot of “van living” here at the Dana Strand parking lot. It definitely seems like the place to do it. Some of the vans and campers I see almost every time I come. The main thing I wonder is where to they go at night when the parking lot closes? I see the same thing on my runs through the Doheny State Beach parking lot. Some vans I see have what looks like an office in the back with a desk computer and chair. There is an Airstream trailer I often see with a table in the back that always has a vase of fresh (I actually have no idea if they are fresh.) flowers on it. Usually these vehicles are backed in with the back doors open to a full ocean view. It looks like a totally great setup. I’ve seen many of the same vans for years now. They park early in the morning when the beach opens. During the height of COVID when the Doheny parking lot was closed, I would see some of these vans and campers parked at random spots in the harbor.

I head down the stairs and the lifeguard station has the water temp posted at 69-70. I think I can handle that. It’s pretty much exactly high tide right now and the surf seems a bit more active than Wednesday but not by much at all.

I get in the water and begin heading South. The water feels good. I’d say it might be a touch cooler than Wednesday. Perhaps the average is the same but there are more “cold spots” today.

When I get to the South end I stumble across a school of fish swimming around the kelp. I have been seeing these fish regularly this summer. They are about 10 inches long, somewhat translucent with a single stripe. They certainly don’t seem concerned about me.

I head North and am keeping fairly close to shore today. I noticed on Wednesday that the jr. lifeguard buoys are gone along with the jr. lifeguards. I guess school is starting back up for many. Bummer. On Wednesday I must have spent several minutes looking for the Green Monster buoy until I came to the realization that it must have entered its off season hibernation.

The water is looking pretty clear today. Not “crystal clear” but there does seem to be a fair amount of visibility. The fact that I am close to shore and in more shallow water than usual might be a factor as well.

I’m trying not to dwell on the fact that we are approaching the end of Summer. The reality is that even early (and sometimes not so early) Fall is a very pleasant swimming season. Once you actually get in the water, Winter is not half bad either.

As I end the swim today and approach the shore I notice that the last 30 feet or so takes a significant temperature drop.

When I get back to the car, there is a very adorable white dog basking beneath my neighbor’s solar panel. Doesn’t seem like a bad life at all.