Savoring The Ocean Breezes
The Abalone Cove Beach. We did not go all the way down to the water since the path to get there is very steep. We just stood at the lookout spot and admired the beauty.
“The key to a wonderful life is to never stop wandering into wonder.”
― Suzy Kassem.
This weekend found wandering veena and a friend at Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA where temperatures were a beautiful 67 degrees Fahrenheit and the sparkling blue of the Pacific a feast for the eyes.
Our first stop was the St. Vincente Point with it’s interpretative center dedicated to preserving the history of this area and the lighthouse guarding the bluffs. On a clear day one can see Catalina Island in the distance and Redondo beach but when we arrived the ocean gloom still hung over the area and we were not able to spot either of these destinations.
As we walked along the cliff we came across this delightful tortoise making it’s slow and steady way across the trail. There were quite a few people including us gawking at the tortoise but it ignored all of us as it proceeded regally along it’s way.
I couldn’t help but comparing this tortoise with its slow and steady pace to the winner of the fabled race against the hare. I finally understand how it won the race against all odds. What a life lesson brought home by example.
We had places to see and a schedule to keep so we moved onward to the beautiful 102 acres luxury Terranea Resort.
We parked our car in the free parking lot and made our way to the entrance. Masks are required inside the property as we were gently reminded by an employee on a golf cart as he passed us by.
We spent a delightful time checking out the three restaurants on the property and exploring the grounds as decided where we wanted to eat lunch.
The beautiful swimming pool area is for residents only and entrance is guaranteed by an identifying bracelet. There was an Indian wedding happening in the grounds that we peeked at reminiscing about each of our son’s wedding venues. We also had a chance to chat with a few of the guests who were here from Virginia. Resisting the urge to join the beautifully catered Indian meal we made our way to the coffee shop by the beach for a casual lunch.
the Wayfarer’s chapel our next stop was barely half a mile from the resort. As we made our way there we were convinced that each one of us had separately attended a wedding here. As it turned out we were both wrong but what a beautiful destination.
The chapel is made of all glass with beautiful soaring glass ceilings. It is one of the most beautiful spots it’s been my privilege to see and in another time I would have sat here and meditated and soaked in the beautiful surroundings.
We spent some time wandering around the grounds soaking in the atmosphere and were fortunate to meet a couple who had been married here 21 years ago and were back to visit.
The day was waning and we had one more stop we wanted to make before heading back home.
There is a lower parking lot with a series of steps that bring you up to the chapel and an upper parking lot where we parked. It appeared a popular spot with people coming and going and enjoying the photo opportunities. I am grateful that we were able to savor this stop since I’ve been told that pre-Covid they were busy with so many weddings that it used to be impossible sometimes to see and admire the chapel.
A final stop at the National Trump Golf course with it’s beautiful club house that sits on these cliffs above the pacific ocean before we declared this weekend’s wandering a success and headed back for home.
The balmy breezes, the shushing sound of the water and the beauty of the scenery left me refreshed and marking off another successful weekend wander on my calendar.
I am so grateful to live in this beautiful part of the world and am truly enjoying all that this part of Southern California has to offer visitors and residents.