On the edge of a bluff 50 feet above our favorite beach, we and our dogs relaxed to the continuous sounds of crashing ocean waves and effervescing sea foam for 5 days. A continuous breeze flows up and over the 3-mile stretch of bluffs as pelicans and seagulls soar in search of food. At times the breeze becomes gusty, so we secured the sun umbrella canopy to the nearby fence with small bungee cords and clips.
This year we brought along a hand-carved tiki, bought last August at the Tiki Oasis 2009 event held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Diego. This year the event, Tiki Oasis 10 Extravaganza, will be held August 19 – 22. In Polynesian mythology tiki is considered the first man.
Our campsite is one of 222 sites at South Carlsbad State Beach (all are non-hookup sites). Our two Airstream factory installed solar panels performed superbly, bringing our two Lifeline AGM Glass Mat batteries back from an early morning low of 80 – 85% to 100% each day by 10 a.m., even though there was a heavy marine layer most mornings. We conserve electricity by turning off the water pump and refrigerator fan at night.
An Asian steamer was used to cook fresh zucchini and corn and to reheat homemade kalua pork in tomatillo sauce.
The kalua pork was served over a sliced telera roll.
Fresh salsa was made in our Vortex Hand Crank Blender attached to the trailer’s lobster sink counter top by the supplied C-clamp.
The two speed gear system crushes ice…
or works as a food processor.
We got ours from REI…
It is also available from GSI Outdoors.
This blender can be handy in making margaritas…
Which could be enjoyed while listening to “A Touch of Honey“.
We also brought along our Volcano II Collapsible Stove. On our last outing we used the propane option to deep fry spring rolls. This time we used charcoal to grill carne asada…
And jumbo shrimp on the barbie…
Seen on our tiki table setting is an immature green fruit of the Buddha’s hand citron, which had broken off from our tree at home. The fruit is often used for its zest in Western cooking.
Four wooden stairways provide access to the beach.
In my next article we’ll take a walk down those stairs…
and take a look at the ocean and the condition of the beach.
Recent images of the Gulf oil spill were fresh in my mind…
as I strolled along and contemplated World Oceans Day, officially declared by the United Nations as June 8th each year beginning in 2009.
The beautiful sunsets and relaxing sounds of the surf were soothing…
Time seemed to slow down…