Huntington Beach California

(A-Z H post)
 A common sight at Huntington Beach, California.  People sleeping, eating, reading, and more along the beach walk area.  Places to sit both on the wall, and in the amphitheater area.  The beach walk area is filled with bikers, walkers, runners, roller bladders, and parents pushing strollers.  On the opposite side of the ocean you have the main drag with shops, bars and hotels doting the landscape.

Standing on one of many boardwalks you can see how wide the beach area is.  It's certainly not one of the prettier beach area's I've been to; but.......look at the space.  You can walk for miles.

There seemed to be plenty of places to rent bikes of all kinds, though not many were actually riding them.  It seems the sand isn't really packed hard enough to make riding on the beach fun or easy.  Notice one of the many piers and boardway areas in the background.

Life Guard Stations are prevalent throughout the walkway.  Being a life guard here is not like sitting in a chair along side a pool.  The stations are large, well equipped and a frequent site.

This is pehaps the most common site at Huntington Beach, surfers.  Click to enlarge so you can see the surfers.  Historically, the coast area was in inhabited by The Tongra people, or the Gabriellinois.  In 1909 after several name changes, Huntington Beach became incorporated.  It was named for Henry Huntington, a railroad magnet.  The area began to flourish due to the oil boom in 1920.  In 1925 Duke Kahanamoku brought the sport of surfing to area, and in 1953 the first surf shop opened.  Competitions, tv coverage and Huntington became a huge draw for surfers.  In 2005 the US Surf Team officially adopted it as their home base.

Though Huntington Beach was not the site where Beach Watch was filmed, it certainly looks the part with the volleyball, wide beach, beach walk area, surfers and life guard stations.

The water is cold, and everyone we saw that was in the water wore wet suits.

Strolling the piers be sure to dog down your hat, it's quite breezy.

The large sea birds seem to enjoy the attention they get while perched on the piers.

Huntington Beach seems like a happening place, a good day's outing from our condo at Marriott's Newport Beach.

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(12, start with 536)

Beaufort National Cemetery

(A-Z Challenge G post)
Graveyards.  Yes, I almost always find a graveyard to visit when we travel.  Why?  I find them fascinating.  The history you see with dates, the beautiful artwork on stones, particularly the older stones, and because most graveyards are pretty, and so serene.

This was a quicker then normal visit, as it was getting late in the day, the sun was setting and it being January, even in South Carolina it gets nippy.  We still had to drive back to our condo in Hilton Head.  Look how perfect each row is.  I'm always impressed with the precision in National Cemeteries.

Precision, even with curves.  The wreaths are left from the National program Wreaths Across America. 
By mid January when we visited, most had been removed, as per protocol.  But laying the wreaths and removing them in a big job.  You pay your respect to those there and I believe you can learn a bit about the area while spending time in a graveyard.

A traditional stone, this one for Daniel Miller, United States Navy #334.    He was someone's son, someone's friend, perhaps someone's father or brother.

Many of The Natl. Cemeteries have a book where you look up your name or other family names.  The last 2 listed are Holladay's, spelled the same as my husband's family.

Carrying across the page, I need 2 photo's but have the plot info 17-0-30 and birth and death dates of Captain Frederick Owen Holladay and his wife who is listed as a Dependant June Hoban Holladay.  Since taking the photo, I've done minimal research and found Capt. Holladay served in both WWII and The Korean War.  He was born in Newton, Mississippi the son of Owen A. Holladay and Kate Hayes Holladay.  He was a ham operator, graduated from Milsaps College and attended George Washington University and Temple University.  We spotted the book and got the info on our way out so we didn't actually find his grave.  Next trip though we'll be ready.

This stone though really got my attention.  It's not the standard military issue.  It reads, Sacred to the memory of Lorenzo S. Snow, Ordinary Seaman of the US Steammer....and I can't make out the ship (will need to research to see if I can find it), who fell in action on Stone River, Dec 25, 1863.  Gallantly battling for his flag and his country.  Love is Eternal.  How sad, died on Christmas Day.  I will be doing some follow up to learn more of this man's story.

Yes, I almost always take time to tour a graveyard when I travel.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(#9, start with 529)

Fairs

Continuing with our a-z challenge, today is all about F.  Fairs!

Always check to see if there's a street fair when you travel.  Often they are free, and or a very minimal fee.  It's always a good time, be it arts, crafts, food, cars or something else.  This street fair took place on the main street in Park City, Utah and it was free.

Park City is generally thought of among skiers, but the summer offers much.  Plenty of outdoor activities.  We've vacationed there often and enjoyed  each and every trip there.  In fact, we have another one on the calendar for the upcoming summer months.

There's lots to see and do for every member of the family.
Here's another post about Park City you might enjoy 

#5, start with 520

Efficiency's Safe Money When Traveling

Coffee in your room is not only a convenience, but it can save you money and time when you're traveling.  Some hotel rooms have in room coffee, but you can't count on it.  Look for Efficiency's when you travel that have in room coffee makers, small dorm type refrigerator, and a microwave.  There are several good frozen options you can pop in the microwave for a quick bite that again saves you time and money when traveling.  Particularly if you're between locations and wanting to roll out of bed early in the morning and drive a full day.  You can easily have breakfast and dinner in your room.  Lunch of lunch meat cheese and yogurt will easily fit in the fridge, saving you money from eating every meal out.  Springhill Suites by Marriott is our favorite of these efficiency's when traveling.

Additionally they all have a sofa and desk so you don't have to sit on the bed when relaxing.  The sofa is a sleeper sofa if you have others traveling with you.  AND, they have a free breakfast of fruit, cereals and hot eggs etc in the lobby if you want to eat quickly before starting out.

Take efficiency's up a notch when you reach your final destination.  This is an efficiency kitchen area where we stayed in Aruba at Marriott's Surf Club.  Above are dishes and glassware and some reasonable storage if you don't over shop for supplies.  To the right of the kitchen is the bathroom and entrance into the well equipped quest room/efficiency.  Because all Marriott Time Shares (and many Springhills) have grills at the ready, it's possible to grill out and have a nice meal vs a costly dinner out.

And with either something you've tossed in the microwave or cooked on the grill you still have a place to sit and to eat on your balcony

or inside.  Might be hard to see as this was the morning we were checking out.  But the TV on the dresser is across from the bed, table and chairs next for your computer and or eating, with door to your private balcony.  The bed, unmade since it was our last morning prior to check out.

And you still have a view.  You also have a sleeper sofa which I neglected to get a photo of.  So, paying a bit more for an efficiency's saves you money eating all meals (like you would with a regular hotel room) out...and is less expensive then a larger condo unit.  After all, you have most of the comforts of home...and who's going to be spending much time indoors anyway?


Haven't traveled to many places that start with the letter E, but Effingham, Illinois , and the burial place of Edgar Allen Poe

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

#9 start with 511