Tag Archives: Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Dana Point Sea Cave

January 23, 2023 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

DANA POINT CONSERVATION AREA

Activity: Beach Hike, Spelunking

1.2 miles, 82′ elevation gain, duration, 1 hour, rated Easy

Date: 1-16-23

What a splendid day… Just after winter storms deluged California with a couple weeks of heavy rains, even flooding in some areas, there are opinions I find surprising. After a couple decades of drought these storms have relieved the situation? Regardless, the powerful storms deposited much needed rain and snow pack in the mountains, cleared the air and now that the storm clouds have parted, made for a wonderful experience in nature on this fine day.

After finally experiencing the “Secret Falls”, that morning in Dana Point Harbor, I headed towards the Dana Point Headlands on Dana Point Beach. The seas were still a bit turbulent from the windy storm making it a sight to behold. The waves raced towards the shore, sometimes exploding in white water as they crashed upon the rocks.

It is just over a half mile along the beach. The venture becomes rockier as you continue until you are hoping across rocks ranging from fist size to torso size. As you proceed be sure to stop and peer into the shallow tide pools in hopes of spying tiny fish, crabs, shellfish or sea anemones. As I continued my trek I found it interesting that one spot was so thick with empty scallop shells that it completely covered the beach.

Arriving at the what appears to be the end of the road- is anything but… If you pay attention you will discover an obscure narrow opening in the rock leading into the Dana Point Sea Cave.

Sea caves are formed by the tremendous force of pounding waves against coastal cliffs. This energy is continuously at work crushing, cracking and eroding rock. A natural phenomenon coastal caves provide beauty and intrigue that are an irresistible treasure to be explored.

Entering the cave even at low tide the entrance is blocked by a pool of water 6 to 8 feet long. I watched a woman using a rock climbing technique utilizing pressure against both sides of the walls. The cave explorer straddling the water seeking tiny foot and hand holds in order to keep her shoes dry. Unfortunately her attempt to ford the pool failed. After all her effort she slipped and soaked her shoes. I succeeded in keeping my boots dry when I entered into the large cavern.

The entrance to the sea cave is a bit obscure and could be missed.

The cave about the size of a grand room has two openings both with incredible views especially on this day when the waves were larger. Such a wonderful spot to take a moment and appreciate nature and what it has created.

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure YouTube Channel
Dana Point Sea Caves
CLICK THE PIC!

**SEACARVED CAVES**

**How the softly lapping ocean waves..**
**with patient chisels.. lick and lave..**
**newly sculpting seacarved caves**
**turning convex to concave.**

**The rocks found**
**in her shallows**
**she has turned**
**to rookery hollows.**

**She has sculpted**
**the coral reef**
**to make room for scallops.**

**Inland the falls roar**
**the falls thunder**
**faster breaking rocks asunder**
**as Spirit too can make**
**new holes in hearts of stone.**

Thanks for accompanying me as I found myself ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ along the Dana Point coastline. This was a exploration I had wanted to do for awhile. Sea Caves are awesome. There is always more experiences ahead that I want to share to inspire everyone to enjoy nature. To ensure that you don’t miss anything please do this: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. Also, I invite you to go to the menu above to see the many locations that PBTA ventures to besides the beach. Each location or activity in the menu is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Like my hat in my video? I have top quality lids and shirts available with the PBTA logo and Mantra on my SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Table Rock

November 21, 2022 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

LAGUNA BEACH

Activity: Swimming, skim boarding, snorkeling, sunbathing, tide pools, beach walk, scrambling, and just plain exploring.

Table Rock is well known to locals and has the look and feel of secluded private beach. Once you maneuver the long set of stairs you will discover a delightfully small beach with rocks to the North and South. In the middle of the beach is a slab of rock that gives it the name, Table Rock. Because of it’s natural beauty it is a favorite for family portraits and wedding photos.

At low tide there are wonderful tide pools to checkout. Also at low tide you could either scamper on the lower part of a bluff to the South and drop down using a few hand holds or swim around to another tiny beach known as Secret Cove that leads to a picturesque tunnel, cave or arch. I would call it an arch, but I have heard it referred as all three. Going through the enchanting arch/tunnel/cave brings you to a bigger broader beach, Totuava Beach and beyond that is Thousand Steps Beach, which is the only one of the two that has public beach access.

When the waves are big be advised that this area could be dangerous with rip currents. On such days this spot is a favorite of skim boarders. There is a lifeguard stand, but no bathrooms. Table Rock is not crowded and is more secluded then other Laguna Beaches as it is not easy to find. Access is through an high end neighborhood and there is only limited parking on PCH.

Table Rock is between West Beach to the North and Totuava Beach to the South.

The Best way to see the waves and the water is in motion. CLICK THE PIC!

If you live by the motto “Life’s a Beach’ like I do then you have come to the right place. I sure love the beach. Beach lovers subscribe to this blog by doing these easy to follow directions: FOLLOW, SHARE, LIKE and COMMENT. If you have an adventurous nature, and feel the need to rebalance the scale of our too busy, too stressed, too hectic existence- then let’s put a little counter balance weight on the other side for a change, the side with harmony, peace and tranquility, the side where your soul drinks in nourishment. Adventurous outings in nature can give you that nourishment and the feeling of: now this is more like it. Go to the menu above, get off the couch, turn off the news, lay down your tablet, (well, don’t lay it down yet you have to click menu first, lol). The menu has ideas and inspiration to get you started. Each location is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Next you will need Adventure Wear, but don’t worry I got you covered, literally. SHOP APPAREL has the latest and greatest hats, beanies, and shirts with the mantra printed right on it, ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’.

Life’s a Beach-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Pirate’s Tower

December 15, 2020 Roger Jenkins 4 Comments

VICTORIA BEACH – LAGUNA, CA

Activity: Beach Stroll, Tide Pools, Tanning, Body Surfing, Skim Boarding, Sight Seeing

Laguna Beach has a treasure trove of beaches, a Treasure Island, sands of gold, and coves that are hidden gems around every point, so it should be no surprise that Laguna Beach has a Pirate’s Tower. This spectacle is found South of Main Beach and North of Treasure Island Beach.

Victoria Beach is a long sandy beach adorned with rocks, and cliffs. It’s not easy to find and parking is very limited, but it is a really nice beach. As far as public beaches go it is a little more private mainly because the parking is hard to come by.

What sets Victoria Beach apart from other great OC Beaches is ‘La Tour’, French for tower. This 60’ spire known by locals as Pirate’s Tower is almost camouflaged due to it matching so well the sandstone cliff it practically adjoins. What is the story behind Laguna’s Mysterious Tower? The house at the top of the cliff along with La Tour were built in 1926 for Senator William Brown. The house is known as Norman House and both the house and the tower are heavily French inspired. The Browns had spent time in France at the end of WW1 and had a love for all things French. The Tower is actually a means for them to get to the beach from their Norman House perched on the cliff above. Near the tower is a mysterious pool made of rock now filled with sand and at high tide, sea water.

Adding to the “shiver me timbers” pirate mystique Senator Brown sold his home and thus the tower in 1940 to an Old Sea Captain, Harold Kendrick. Captain Kendrick had a love for “a Pirate’s Life” yo ho! He would dress the part on occasion and tell tales of the Jolly Roger and swashbuckling scallywags sailing the seven seas to the neighborhood children. The Old Capt sometimes would hide coins among the rocks of the tower for the kiddies.

***Loot be first and de wimmen second, if ye have de first ye’ll have de second, but if ye have de second ye won’t have de first fer long.*** – Old Pirate Proverb

Ahoy me hearties and much oblige for setting sail with me on this voyage to Pirate’s Tower. One thing I have learned ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ is that not all the treasure is silver and gold, the greatest bounty is natures. Also it’s the voyage not the destination. So follow me along to the next port for more adventure on the high seas by doing a few simple tasks: FOLLOW, COMMENT, LIKE and SHARE. If the high seas is not your cup of rum, then perhaps the High Sierra, the dry desert, or the canyon deep? It’s all in the Cap’n Log (Menu above). If you need a pirate hat like mine walk the plank to SHOP APPAREL.

Cast‘n off ye‘ scurvy dogs-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

!!! 1 , 0 0 0 Followers !!!

October 7, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

PURSUING BALANCE THRU ADVENTURE CELEBRATION DRAWING

Free Drawing for PBTA Tee-Shirt

Free PBTA T-Shirt Drawing Celebrating 1000+ Followers on my different social media ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ platforms: Blogs – Instagram – Pinterest – YouTube – Facebook. THANK YOU Supporters!! How to Win a PBTA T-Shirt: Free Drawing to be announced Thanksgiving 2020. Each of the following gains an entry:

1.) Leave a COMMENT on any PBTA Social Media Platform Post.
2.) LIKE any PBTA Social Media Post.
3.) SHARE any PBTA Post.
4.) FOLLOW any PBTA Social Media Platform.
5.) TAG a friend on a PBTA Instagram pic.
Enter as many times as you like.
Contest Closes 11-15-20.

Huntington Sunset

July 30, 2020 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

Activity: Beach’ it, Beach/Pier Stroll, Sunset Views

January 6, 2020

Huntington Beach and it’s iconic pier are synonymous with Southern California. Even the Los Angeles News Channel shows the HB Pier for their weather report, and Huntington Beach is in Orange County

Huntington Beach is 10 miles of California Dream’n. It is not Beverly Hills on the beach like Newport Beach, it doesn’t have rocky outcropping and flowers like Laguna Beach, it’s doesn’t have the celebrities like Malibu, it doesn’t have the muscle like Venice Beach, nor a Ferris Wheel like Santa Monica- what it does have is big, beautiful broad beaches, that accommodate large crowds and that is exactly what it has for the US Open of Surfing, the Airshow of the Pacific, and the 4th of July Fireworks, along with numerous other events. It seems like there is always something happening at the Huntington Beach Pier.

When I moved to Huntington Beach back in the 80’s I lived right on the sand in the condos next to the pier. What a place for a young man to live. I was blown away to see the best surfers, skim boarders, and skaters I had ever seen. BMX bikers that could make their bikes dance. I thought to myself doesn’t anyone have a job here? In that respect nothing much has changed, it is still a celebration of life and of Beach.

Surf City USA defines the surf culture for the World. Each year the US Open of Surfing has beach goers, and surfing enthusiasts flocking to Huntington’s golden sands to cheer on the best surfers on the planet. HB hosts the biggest surfing event in the world and it’s standing room only during the week long event Finals.

The US Open of Surfing draws about half a million to this the ultimate celebration of beach culture, and it seems every fit dude is there showing off rock hard abs to a host of bodacious beach babes that can really rock a bikini. During the seven day beach party there is a circus like atmosphere that goes hand in hand with the surfing event. There is plenty of action behind the scenes, basically a surf fair on the other side of the grandstands with food, drawings and give always at booths put on by many of the manufacturers of the beach lifestyle, and fun in the sun activities. The best skate boarders, and BMX Bikers are showing off their moves with an arena just for them. There are big screens on the pier and in the surf fair with Live TV feed of the surfing.

At times the event has had the top motorcycle stunt jumpers, major recording acts giving free concerts, and bikini contests. The event had become so big in the mid 80’s that it was impossible to control and things got out of hand resulting in a riot. So at that point they scaled it back.

Besides the surfing there seems like there is always something going on at the pier such as Pro Volleyball, World Championship of Paint Ball, concerts, it is always something.

Daughter Marina enjoying the California Dream

US Open of Surfing photo via Uglyhedgehog

Blue Angeles Airshow of the Pacific, photo via LAYC

Daughter Marina, “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure” Baseball Cap Ad

**“It’s a wonderful metaphor, catching a wave, for how you can look at other challenges in your life.” – Jeff Bridges**

Thanks for joining Marina and myself as we brought you another episode of Orange County Beaches and in particular my beloved Huntington Beach. Take a moment and COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW so you can enjoy more OC Beaches. While you are at it, checkout the menu above and join me for “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ and explore with me how to unleash that inner hiking, backpacking, and adventure beast in you as we at the same time explore our inner being through profound experiences in nature. Each PBTA location is a separate website and each will need to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like the baseball caps that Marina and I are wearing you can have you own “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ hat sent and go to SHOP APPAREL for all your adventure wear needs.

Sunset Beach

April 26, 2020 Roger Jenkins Leave a comment

CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA

Activity: Beach Walk, Storm Watching

Date: 4-10-20

Storm Clouds Gather Over Sunset Beach While Corona Virus Closes Surfside Beach

Sunset Beach is a quaint community locals beach. When I first moved to Huntington Beach, living in the condos right on the beach, just adjacent to the famed Huntington Beach Pier, there was a joke that HB was the quintessential, where were the action was, California beach scene and it was for the young and the adventurous and if you settled down and got married, well then you needed to move to Sunset Beach. Indeed Sunset Beach is much more quiet and more of a residential beach where nice beach homes line it’s broad mile and a half long beach.

Sunset Beach is boarder to the North by Surfside Beach, a private gated community that is actually part of the City of Seal Beach, and just beyond that the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. To the South of Sunset Beach is Bolsa Chica State Beach.

On this mid April day storm clouds gathered over Sunset Beach both literally and figuratively. The LA Beaches had all been closed, due to fears of the Corona Virus, but most Orange County Beaches remained open. The OC Beaches were attempting to control the crowds and thus promote “Social Distancing” by closing all piers and all parking lots as well as street metered parking. The reality was most of the time this strategy worked, but on nice weekends near the HB Pier- not so much. HB would later lead the nation in protest to lift the Corona Virus restrictions and get back to work and life as we knew it. So you can see… Storm Clouds gathering…

But on this day my walk along Sunset Beach was, as it always is, relaxing, a stress reliever, and throughly enjoyable. It was made even more interesting by the storm. When you live in SoCal and every day is perfect it is extraordinarily beautiful to see big black storm clouds roll in. I could see in the distance heavy rain to the south of me in the area the HB Pier, but I received only a light misting as I hiked along the beach. There were a few others enjoying the spectacle, but I practically had the beach to myself due to the Corona Virus as well as it being a stormy day with a good chance of a down pour. Some of the people I ran a crossed had on face masks. I was sporting my new fashionable Pursuing Balance Through Adventure Face Gator in an effort to follow requests to cover your face, but not use the medical masks needed for First Responders.

There were surfers out enjoying some tasty waves with some nice little sets with good form rolling in, but otherwise it was me, the beach, and the storm.

After walking Sunset Beach I continued my stroll to include Surfside Beach, which is connected. It is basically the same beach, however this gated community is actually part of the City of Seal Beach. What I discovered on my way back is that the beach was actually closed, as is Seal Beach. Oops… Well there was just one little sign and I was walking along the water’s edge and didn’t see it- sorry. I was not the only one on the beach, but then again there were very few.

Delightful little hike along the beach, and the storm clouds made it unusually special.

**The Water Tower House is an area landmark. How cool is that place? Talk about your 360 views.**

When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused. —Rainer Maria Rilke

Thanks for joining me on another addition of ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ OC Beaches. As far as the Corona Virus, this to shall pass. I am sure we are all in agreement that day cannot come soon enough, and when it does let’s go to the beach. Please COMMENT, FOLLOW, LIKE, and SHARE. Checkout the Menu above for hikes in a variety of locales. You will need to FOLLOW each individually. If you like the apparel pictured in this post then go to SHOP APPAREL which will help offset some of the costs for PBTA.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins, ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’

Crescent Bay Beach

July 20, 2019 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

Crescent Bay Beach ’Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure

Laguna Beach, California

Activity: Beach’n it: Sun, Fun, & Surf

Date: 7-20-19

Laguna Beach has a lot of little coves and beaches it’s not all about Main Beach. There is much more to explore and enjoy. Crescent Bay Beach feels like a little neighborhood beach. It has sort of a private beach feel. It is beautiful, rocky outcropping on both sides, nice (expensive) homes overlooking the beach. There are tide pools if you are there at the right time. Besides that you have swimmers, boogie boarders, sun bathers, the occasional surfer, in other words beach goers

To the North on the cliff above is Crescent Bay Point Park, and to the South is Shaw’s Cove. You can’t go wrong in Laguna the beaches and coves are all fantastic.

Crescent Bay Beach Map

Crescent Bay Point Park overlooks the beach

Looking at Crescent Bay Beach from the point

Crescent Bay Point

Crescent Bay Beach Pursuing Balance Thru Adventure

Crescent Bay Point Park

Alec with his goofy seal impression.

Boogie Boarder waits for the outgoing surge after the waves hits the rocks.

Beach goers frolicking in the surf at Crescent Bay Beach

The beach scene at Crescent Bay Beach

The northern portion of Crescent Bay, this is the point that looks back over the beach from the park.

The End

Life’s a Beach

DCD82A05-67F4-434D-9DE1-F91145C34D5A — “For her ocean was more than a dream, it was a place she needed to visit to find herself, and when she returned to the city you could see the sun in her eyes, the wind in her hair, and taste the infinite salt on her lips.” -Jose Chavez

The day I was there the surf was high and the couple lifeguards were busy keeping a eye on the surf, the swimmers, and the rip tide.

You can have a bird’s eye view of Crescent Bay Beach from the Crescent Bay Point Park. But you cannot get to the beach from there due to the rugged drop off.

“Beach Rules: Soak up the sun. Ride the waves. Breath the salty air. Feel the breeze. Build sandcastles. Rest, relax, reflect. Collect seashells. Bare-feet required.” Crescent Bay Beach is a great beach loved it!

Join me again for another adventure, but first please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW. And please check out the newly added SHOP APPAREL.

Life’s a Beach-

Roger Jenkins, ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’

Moss Point

July 13, 2019 Roger Jenkins 1 Comment

Laguna Beach, California

Activity: Exploring, rock scrambling

Date: June 24, 2019

Laguna Beach is a very special place so much to do, see and enjoy. Lots of fun shops, restaurants and things to do. But my favorite thing to do is to go to the beach. Laguna has so many fabulous beaches it is hard to choose which one to explore and that is the fun of it. Another outing, another beach, cove, or tide pool.

Parking in Laguna in the summer is difficult, to say the least, and the city makes a living on parking tickets so you are forewarned. No matter when you go through town there is always traffic. So a special tip is to park where you can and then take the free Trolley.

The Trolley is fun, open air, has lots of pickup spots, and did I mention FREE?

We parked North of famous Hessler Park, which by the way, is one of my favorite places anywhere, walked through part of the park and then took the Trolley through town. The bus drivers, as this is really a bus that looks like a Trolley, are friendly and informative. We got off at Moss Point.

There is an historic mansion there and a plaque about it really being like the first Western White House, but beyond looking through the gate at how the other half lived not a lot to see.

Once you ramble down the street and take the staircase down you spy a lovely cove with a little beach and a lifeguard stand. There are rocks to the left that we took out to the point. It was a heavy June Gloom marine layer, but even that was delightful. There is an arch to go through and a wonderful vista looking south with coastline filled with mansions with views that we can experience as well, but from the rocks.

Moss Point- simply delightful, and a good place for snorkeling and scuba.