​We made it to the bay in the early evening, checked into our hotel and hit the streets. First stop: Chinatown! With the coronavirus on high alert, the streets were empty and we got a practically private jaunt around the shops, bars, and restaurants. We made our way through Chinatown, and felt the historical magic as we entered Jack Kerouac Alley, ending up in the City Lights Bookstore. As academics and book lovers, this was a must see for me and a favorite spot for Scott. Afterwards, we stopped next door at Vesuvio Cafe, a bar of oddities. We shared a table with a 20 soemthing year old, recently divocee and her gay best friend. (I should interject that it was Valentines Day). We had drinks and eavesdropped on this conversation of young love gone awry! On our way back to the hotel we found Li Po’s, a bar named after the Chinese poet, so, of course, we had to stop in honor of the wine-drinking, ancient poet.

Flash forward to Saturday. We got up early and hit the pavement. Walking aimlessly with the goal of the Marina District in our sights. With no time restraints we casually walked admiring the architecture and street art till we stumbled upon a poppin breakfast place called “Crostini and Java'' run by a gang of the sassiest Europeans you have ever met. Breakfast and a show! A few miles and bar stops later we found our way to our goal destination the Palace of Fine Arts, a 1915 Panam-Pacific Exposition structure. I had seen a picture of these “ruins' ' several years ago and had always wanted to go, and the experience did not disappoint. ​

That night we met up with our good friend and former employee, Crissy Bacca. She brings light and enjoys herself wherever she goes and it was great to see her. We ended our night with a hysterical uber ride, a scandalous bar conversation with a newly engaged gay couple, details I will share if you ask in person (hahaha). ​

Only 2.8 miles from Home Yoga OC is one of the iconic surf spots in Orange County, “Blackies”. Located just off Newport Pier and edging down to 28th street, the location was originally known as 22nd street, but later re-nicknamed as “Blackies” as a nod to Blackie’s By the Sea, a bar with a lot of local flare. (We will get back to Blackies…. over and over again.) As a surf spot, it was once known for its 60’s crew: Ron Sizemore, John Peck, Russel Brown, Mike Marshall, are just a few of those early pioneers of SoCal surf culture. Today, it is the mixing ground of groms and pigeons, potato chips and logs, snakes and studs, all trying to catch its famous w-swell.

Today was an unseasonably warm mid-winter day down in Orange County, so, Scott and I decided to take a studio break and head to Blackies for a post-lunch break that might or might not have included a couple of ankle slappers and a cold beer. Beyond the gaze of the statue of Ben Carlson, a local surfer and lifeguard who tragically lost his life on duty, the waves and the wind were in agreement for a beautiful early afternoon surf session. Scott and I headed out to spend some time in the sun, me just dipping the toes in the water and Scott fully submerged, wearing his brand-new, Christmas present wetsuit.

​Before hitting the sand and surf, Scott did his usually pre-surf yoga stretch. These are poses that awaken the muscles used when paddling, straddling, and riding. (Sounds a bit racy for a tutorial on surfing!) The main muscle groups used while surfing include the arms (bicep, deltoid), shoulder (trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and minor), abdomen (rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, obliques) and the upper portion of your leg (quadriceps, gluteal, and gastrocnemius). While these muscles get most of their strength-training in the water, warming them up beforehand and a light stretch afterwards allows for maximum mobility. 

​ It wouldn’t be a true trip down to Blackies without stopping by Blackies By the Sea for a cold beer after surf. Around since the 1950’s, Blackies By the Sea is a local hangout for the pigeons (old-timer surfer guys who watch the surf all day long and go “Coo-Coo-Coo” at the passers-by), your local Newport/Costa Mesa-ians, and sprinkled with the vacationer looking for an authentic experience. Inside, you will find the TVs playing fishing shows and the walls covered with stuffed sharks, surfboards, silly signs, and stickers from all over the world (see the alliteration…hahaha). Everyone from the bartender to the regulars are nothing but friendly and welcoming. (I mean, come on, there is nothing like being hit on by a guy offering to let you pick out the music on the jukebox.) And, as far as I am concerned, their sign saying that they have the coldest beer in town is a 100% true.
 
Looking forward to the next “midwinter-post-lunch-break” before the summer crowds roll in.