island to city

Yesterday morning I was looking at this.

and enjoying my favorite part of the journey to Seattle

I don't know why but I always love the reversing the engines part into dock that turns the water into a mix of bubbles and a gorgeous aqua and white color.

Then 1169 miles later we were looking at this.

Manhattan Beach, California.

And I think the children were excited to be here

 

Of course Cerys went into the water fully dressed and knowing that we didn't have any towels or clothing in the car for her. She loves the ocean and nothing was going to stop her from enjoying every sensation of it.

This trip was somewhat unexpected. It is a trip that is being paid by Dave's work and it is considered a relocation exploration (or something fancy like that) trip. We are here until Friday when we return home to Seattle. There is a 50/50 chance of Dave's job being relocated to LA. How do I feel about moving from island to city? Scared and excited and totally freaked and giddy and worried and looking forward to a new experience. Or maybe a new challenge. Everyone has been telling me how difficult it is to thrift in LA. I don't know if they mean downtown or in pockets of cities around LA. If anyone has positive stories about this town, I'd love to hear them. We are heading toward Huntington Beach to check out the hood and the neighboring Waldorf School. We are going to attempt the 405 which I read on one online board that this freeway has been referred to as Satin's Freeway. sheesh....a little different than our four signal and one main road island.

ps. thank you for each and every comment you all left on my 200th post. Because of this trip I am terribly behind in replying but will try to get to them this week. I appreciated every single one. In this time of uncertainty it was something lovely to focus on.

Comments

[Betts]

Change! There is no greater source of stress. Take it a day at a time.

In the meantime, it looks like a lovely trip.

[gracielou]

I found the thrift stores a bit iffy, and just rotten for furniture. But the yardsales (especially in older residential neighborhoods) were great. I haven't lived in LA for 7 years, so things might have changed. More people = more stuff from more places floating around.

[Tania P.]

1169 miles... Gosh... I don't even know what that is... I mean... You can go from one oint of Portugal to the opposite in about 10 hours... Driving... What a huge country.... And what a lovely scene :)

[heatherc]

I don't know about the thrifting part so much...not much of a thrifter (found your sight googling aprons) but I absolutely love So. California. I live in south orange county and can't think of anywhere else I would rather live :) Though I have vacationed in the Seattle area and think it is beautiful--but I tire of the rain quickly, I'm a sunny skies girl! The 405 is not so bad once you know how to navigate it--and when to use it and not to use (I plan not to be on it during morning and afternoon rush hour). I think the trick to living and loving so. cal. is live where you work--my husband's office is two minutes down the street. Understandably not the easiest thing to accomplish...but our life does not revolve around the freeways like so many other's seem to. Good luck with the possibilities! Oh, and you might try the Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market. I've never been but heard great things about it...

[heatherc]

I don't know about the thrifting part so much...not much of a thrifter (found your sight googling aprons) but I absolutely love So. California. I live in south orange county and can't think of anywhere else I would rather live :) Though I have vacationed in the Seattle area and think it is beautiful--but I tire of the rain quickly, I'm a sunny skies girl! The 405 is not so bad once you know how to navigate it--and when to use it and not to use (I plan not to be on it during morning and afternoon rush hour). I think the trick to living and loving so. cal. is live where you work--my husband's office is two minutes down the street. Understandably not the easiest thing to accomplish...but our life does not revolve around the freeways like so many other's seem to. Good luck with the possibilities! Oh, and you might try the Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market. I've never been but heard great things about it...

[Kim]

I've never been anywhere on the West Coast. Both cities look amazing to me. Change is always fun and scary at the same time. Beautiful photos!

[Estella]

Hello, My Friend!

We just did the opposite yesterday . . . departed beautiful sunny skies in Cali and returned to drizzley gray weather on the Island. I'm very excited for you and the family and the possibility of a new adventure in the sun. Many hugs!

[pink pincushion]

Good luck on your new exploration! I am originally from Huntington Beach and now live in a small town outside of Yosemite National Park. I can't imagine going back there. Freeways! Yikes! However, they do have swap meets, that could prove to be good for a thrifter.

[Dawn]

Have fun on your trip! I get stressed and excited at the same time when I contemplate those types of changes.

[Tammie]

moving is always scary and exciting and nerve racking at the same time. the uncertainty of the whole process is always the hardest part for me. im a gal who likes routine and everything to be set in stone. needless to say im disappointed a lot. HA

[sandy]

Looks heavenly. There are parts of CA that we love ...
Have fun and I hope the trip is fruitful!
Sandy

[Linn]

Well, you already know I love Southern California, although I do like to visit places with "real weather." I've heard the Rose Bowl flea market is great, and like someone else mentioned, there's a swap meet every Saturday at the OC Fairgrounds which is just up the road from Huntington. And I do have to say, I'm not sure about other places, but south OC has the best community garage sales!!! Realtors arrange for whole communities to do a sale on the same morning and you just drive through the whole neighborhood for sale after sale. It's great! Do all areas of the country do that? I got most of my big furniture from great community garage sales in rich neighborhoods in Laguna Beach, and most of my toys from the younger neighborhoods near me. So that's a thrifting plus, for sure! Enjoy the trip.

[chris]

Oh great - you're "in the neighborhood" this week! Yeah, freeways are horrible and we really don't go out much because of it, but we (the kids and I - NOT the husband) love living here. However, whenever I do have to travel around or go downtown, I have always found the traffic manageable and the people friendly. I only wish we could live in a beach city! Thrifting is non-existant. If you move you're going to have to get a new theme for your blog!!! Hope you enjoy your week.

[jenny]

My sister-in-law lives in Huntington Beach! It's great! I can tell by reading your blog that you make life beautiful wherever you are, because you cherish your family and your home. You'll have nothing to worry about. :)

[kristenverity]

In the mid 90's I used to have great success at the Boys and Girls Club of Venice thrift store. Not to worry, there's great people, great stuff everywhere you go. Just needs to be rooted out by someone with an appreciative eye. Thrill of the hunt, remember?

[Zélia]

the photos look pretty cool... i am not full of envy ha! because i live near the beach...
It is lots of fun!

[Andrea]

I'm an LA native and I manage to do quite a bit of thrifting here. I mainly do it however for clothing for my kids, kids books and fabric and notions for sewing. The thrift stores are certainly around. I don't know about thrifting for resale though. Maybe the prices are not good enough here? I'd be happy to share the few places I go if you end up landing here. Good luck!

[robin]

Another SoCal native chiming in here from the smack middle of the US... thrifting is down there - it just takes time (those freeways that pass for parking lots again) and the prices are not going to be what you are used to. Check around towns that have colleges. Yard sales, as mentioned, are a better bet, as are the Rosebowl and huge sales held at fairgrounds... pomona swapmeet and the like. We still have family there and I love love and miss the ocean terribly but we just can't afford it there.

May I be so bold to ask what your husband does that affords him to work/live in such cool places?

If the move happens, just enjoy the ride. SoCal, is like everything else; it can be a blessing or a curse depending on your attituede and what you do with it. Just keep an open mind and you'll be fine!
Godspeed,
Robin