Naked sunbathing creating a stir in San Diego, but still okay

by Jamie Rhein on

Just last week a judge ruled that sunbathing in the nude at San Onofre State Beach in San Diego is still allowed.

Earlier this summer there was a brouhaha because the California Department of Parks and Recreation wanted to ban nude sunbathing, even though beaching it in the buff has been allowed here for decades.

The parks and recreation department said that some sunbathers were being lewd near Trail 6. Sunbathers who just sun themselves and frolic in their birthday suits felt that the ban was uncalled for since most behave themselves.

According to this article at San Diego 6 News, the judge has ruled that the people who will be cited for being without their clothes are only those that someone in the public complains about–otherwise, sans clothes is fine–for now.

Considering that there are many public beaches from which to choose in California, it seems that if people don’t want to see people sunbathe in the nude, go somewhere else–or if you do go here, stay away from Trail 6.

Great White Shark. San Diego coast. Not good.

by Iva Skoch on

Until this morning, it had apparently been some 14 years since the last great white shark attack off the coast of San Diego.

This morning, a 66-year-old swimmer in triathlon training was killed by a shark about 150 yards off Solana Beach, near San Diego, LA Times reports. Other swimmers apparently saw him actually being lifted out of the water and drug under and whey went to his aid and dragged him onto the beach. He was pronounced dead almost immediately.

Shark expert Richard H. Rosentblatt from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said that based on descriptions of the attack and the wounds inflicted “this almost certainly was a great white shark.” A large one, too. 15-17 feet.

San Diego beaches will probably be not-so-popular for a while.

San Luis Obispo: Possible place to visit or move to

by Jamie Rhein on

A friend and I were talking today about what we’re up to. She’s up to traveling to California during the end of April with her boyfriend to look for a place to live one day. They’re starting in San Diego and heading up the coast. They don’t know exactly where they want to live so I threw out San Luis Obispo as a possibility. I’ve never been there, but have heard great things. One of my oldest friends, who does lives there part time, loves the place. He’s always saying I should visit.

My friend who is currently seeking out her future asked me if there are nature related activities in the area. “Oh, I’m sure of it,” I said, then followed with, “I’ll check.” Now, I’ve checked.

San Luis Obispo does indeed have nature type things. It’s the beginning of the Big Sur coastline. The Parks and Recreation department looks extensive. Mountains for hiking are close by. Along with nature, there are history and the arts. The Mission San Luis Obispo de Toroso was founded in 1772. Hearst Castle is also near here. This weekend is the Music for Your Eyes Gala and Art Auction. These are just a few of the things to do that I found. I’d say San Luis Obispo is a fine contender for consideration. Definitely a place to visit. Possibly a place to settle in for awhile.

Any more thoughts of good places to live in California? I’ll let my friend know.

Good Deed Travel (Mexico here I come): Packing list justification

by Jamie Rhein on

Tomorrow I’m flying to San Diego on Southwest Airlines and on Sunday I’m going by bus to Mexico to build houses with more teenagers (one of them my daughter) than I’ve been around in awhile. That’s the plan anyway. I’ll fill you in on how that goes.

With Southwest Airlines’ woes of having to ground planes and cancel flights, I’m wondering about the first leg of this endeavor. Since I’m supposed to be at the airport at 6:30 AM, I’m hoping that there are no snafus. I plan to dress appropriately for my time with Southwest, and I will be very polite so, I don’t think I’ll have problems there.

Last night my daughter and I headed to the store with our packing list to pick up the items we don’t have, or don’t know where to find in our house. Questions like, “Do we need a toothbrush holders?” came up. Big trips always seem to need a toothbrush holder. This trip counts as a big trip–an occassion. For smaller trips, I use a plastic sandwich bag since I can’t seem to remember in between larger trips where I put things like toothbrush holders.

We always buy more batteries too. For this trip we need flashlights since we will be sleeping in tents and without electricity. It’s not that we don’t have batteries, but they are stray ones rolling around in drawers–maybe a half dozen. Who knows if they are any good? A big trip says, “I need a fresh pack.” Same with the band-aids. I don’t want old ones with wrinkled wrappers. A trip big trip says, “brand new.” No half-filled bottle of shampoo either. Maybe for a short trip, but not for a big one.

Big trips are occasions like a Junior prom or a wedding. If one gets married a second time, you don’t wear the first dress even though it’s perfectly good and still fits. Brand new gives a level of importance–a fresh start. The possibility that one will have a life changing experience. Since we’re building houses, I didn’t get new old clothes. I’m taking my old old old clothes, the ones with paint splatters. I have packed a new shirt that I was given as a present. Perhaps I’ll wear it on the plane tomorrow. It is not revealing.

No matter how much I travel, I overdo. If I could use one package of Wet Ones, three might work better. While building houses in Mexico, I’ll be back to my bucket bath days from the Peace Corps period of my life. Also, when traveling with a large group of teenagers, if you’re using a Wet One, you have to share. It’s an unspoken rule. Then there’s the chewing gum–another item to share. Same with cough drops with vitamin C.

Of course, I could buy any one of these items in San Diego, but it’s the control factor. I can control variables like going to the store on this side of a trip. I have a car here. Once I step on a plane, all bets are off. I’m in new territory where anything can happen.

Tonight we’re packing using our handy packing list as a guide and I’m still wondering if perhaps I shouldn’t head to the store one more time. For what? I have no idea, but when I see it, I’ll know. Then I can buy more than one–just in case.

Measles on a Plane

by Erik McLaughlin on

Passengers on a flight from San Diego to Hawaii were expecting to have a safe flight followed by, hopefully, some relaxing time in Hawaii. Instead, they were exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious disease and is characterized by the famous rash that first develops on the face and head, spreading downward to the torso and arms.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that an 11 month old child from San Diego is under isolation at a military base until the risk of infection subsides, in 3-4 more days.

The origin of the infection believed to be from a visit to a pediatric clinic in La Jolla. San Diego County has reported 5 cases of measles, in 2008.

Travelers on the plane, as well as those at the gate, are at risk for contracting measles if not properly immunized. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is commonly given to children over the age of 12 months. The 11 month old child was not able to receive the vaccine.

Any person who is believed to have been in contact with measles should visit their doctor.