Day 19

Today I tried to surf. I didn't get up, but I gave it an effort, and that is what I wanted to accomplish. Also, I am not used to six foot waves. This is me in a wetsuit. The pacific is very cold in June:

Around noon, we went in a found a pizza place to have a slice and a pint of beer. Both were good:
After that, we stopped back by the hotel room to pick up some stuff, and we went back out to lay on the beach for the afternoon. It was very crowded, but still nice. We both wound up a little red despite using sunblock.
Tonight we are going to a local joint called Hodad's. There has been a constant line for that place, so, it's either truly good, or it's riding on hype. Time will tell.

Enjoying ice cream after dinner:
Some surfers were catching waves and surfing through the pylons of the pier:
the "star trike":
The last leg of the trip begins tomorrow, and I can't wait to get home:
Tomorrow I take Jennifer to the airport to fly back to Atlanta. That will be hard. It has been great having a companion for this past week. After I drop her off, I am going to drive as far as I can toward New Mexico. Sunday, or possibly Monday, I may stop off to see Carlsbad Caverns. I was originally going to see the Trinity Test Site, but I found out that they only open it twice a year; once in April and again in October. So Carlsbad will be good instead. I like caves. I took a "wild cave tour" of Mammoth Cave in Kentucky once, and it was a good adventure. I had to wear a helmet and knee pads. It was a lot of fun. I may not post tomorrow as I may be sleeping in the desert...