Wasting away in La Conchita Ville

Aaron "Arson" Ernst was absolutely killing it!

Let's see.. Picking up where I left off in December. I did manage to hang in there last month with $1.81 to spare.  Unfortunately exactly nine days after I got some cash, the day before new year eve, the van just died.. The only good news was it died right at the bottom of the offramp at Bates Rd. (just north of here)  With a help of couple fisherman I got it parked under the bridge, locked it up, and I went surfing, just like every other day in December. Three hours later it actually started but didn't sound great. I know it's hard to believe but, despite my rugged good looks, and neck beard, I really don't no shit about cars. But it did start, just barely, and I made a run for home. I even caught a lucky break and made the left turn into LC without stopping, limped down SurfSide, and it died in the driveway. Now I love my van, but after a week of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression, I finally accepted I was going to have to tow it in.

Tuesday Afternoon

So for the past month I've haven't had a car. It's sorta, kinda, pretty cool. I am very lucky to be within walking and biking distance to not just one, but two world class surf spots. It even got me think about getting an electric bike after seeing how much money I'm saving not buying gas. Riding your bike to Rincon is one thing, but going all the way into Carp is a bit much, Especially after surfing three hours..  Especially when you have 30 lbs of groceries on your back. (Yeah those beer bottles are not light) Especially if you bought a bottle of wine too. Unfortunately.. I think I'm looking at about 2K to get the van back to life, so the electric bike may have to wait. Well it's one or the other I guess. But I can't get to El Cap on the electric bike which was where I would have been heading last weekend, so yea, van, bike, van... The van is most likely gonna win out here.

Dane..Too bad I missed the first part of this turn...

Last weekend... Biggest swell of the year this far with the Goleta Buoy hitting 10' @ 17 seconds, and yep, I do keep track... probably ocd or something like it.  It was solid, some old guys said eight foot sets. I saw the reef way, way, way  outside Stanley's breaking on the sets.  But I was sick as a dog and had been for a few days. So silver cloud, golden lining, something like that. I decided to break out the camera and went down to shoot some surfing. Turned out to be pretty fun, so I rode my bike down there again yesterday. Here ya go.. Yeah 2012.. No car... Sick as a dog for the biggest swell of the year... Ok, it's not the end of the world, it's Tuesday afternoon in the cove with Dane, Pat, Lakey, Arson, and the crew. Music by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham.. Enjoy the full screen option for maximum viewing pleasure.