Suns Out, Guns Out

Sunday, last day to explore SD so I decided to go to Coronado, due to it's beauty, repertoire, and to of course scratch it off my list. This is better known as "Rich People Island".  Beach clothes on, burrito in hand, I was ready to go!  After scoring parking, I walked around town to get a sense. You know you have reached military Coronado when you see this on a house:

What better way to get acquainted than to check out the Visitors Center & Museum?  Plus, I had no idea how to get to the beach and I didn't want to look like a tourist.  Interesting stuff in there, I believe to the bottom right you will see the first version of foodstamps (almost a historic Mecca for AmeriCorps VISTAs)

Most of the items in here were from the military during WWII and I talked to an older Gentlemen from Wisconsin who said he remembers a bit of this time period (he was 6 during WWII). We had a good conversation about wars, military, and my job and then parted ways.  I strutted on down to the beach in excitement and upon arriving realized I had no suit on.  I found the bathroomn - ok we are in business.  This bathroom was dirty, but not nearly as bad as the bathrooms at Pacific Beach - with an inch of pee and toilet paper water on the floor, which I then dumped the contents of my clutch wallet into. And left my flip flops in.

Beautiful Coronado Beach - Rest of Island in the distance

Reading about Surfing Mishaps & Sharks

Rules, we don't need no stinking RULES!

Damn, Military Islands are strict, can you see this sign?  No smoking, vehicles prohibited, no alcohol beverages, no glass containers, no dogs, no nudity, no kite flying (REALLY?). Warning Stingrays and Tsunami hazard zone. So basically, no fun and scared as shit.  Good to go.

Here is where I allowed my vain self to get the better half of me and in turn I paid dearly. Laying in the slightly overcast beach I thought, maybe I will get some sun before putting on sunscreen (mistake #1) I mean my arms are actually tan just from getting burned in LA traffic sun, so maybe if I get a short burn out here it will turn into a tan as well (mistake #2).  It was overcast for about 5 minutes and then the massive ball of flame came out. I thought, 'Good, don't have to wait as long before I put on sunscreen'.  Ate my burritto which definitely had sand in it from the wind, along with my towel which was buried, all my clothes on the beach, and all over my body.  I didn't know you could have sand trapped in your scalp, but there it was.  Then - - - I fell asleep. Yes in the California sun with only a bit of sunscreen on my legs.  I woke up to heat.  I didn't notice red yet so I assumed I was in the clear (mistake #3)

Coronado Beach Sand - Glitter on the floor

Can this be my "Every Day"?

The sand near the water on Coranodo Beach looks like glitter and gold!  It legitimately has a gold color all over.   To get a better view I think you need to come see it for yourself (hint hint).

I packed up, changed, and headed to a college room rental near SDSU I wanted. I prob looked like a crazy hot mess. Beach hair, half red, and tired as hell from being dehydrated. The guy seemed really cool and like someone I would get along with, but the other roommate wouldn't even come out to meet me. In my old age, I guess I have become crotchety because that made my decision right there..I then headed into town, totally lost because my phone was dying and I no longer have a car charger (mistake #4) and I don't have a California map either (mistake every time). I stopped at Starbucks for a Vanilla Bean Frappacinno and charged my phone. Eventually I had to call my sister...in Michigan...and ask her to look up directions for me. If it's any concellation, I did know most of the way back home, but yes go on and laugh and make fun of my directionally challenged problems. GPS kicked in halfway home, thanks "smart" phone.

I did get tan, if you are wondering. From my knees down and my arms. My entire backside is, however, just radiating sex appeal in the form of red. It's glowing hot. I'll be showing that off today while surfing. Work it? I will!