According to this article, Newport Beach officials are considering getting rid of 66 or so fire pits along the coast from the Balboa pier to Big Carona.

I just so happen to LOVE the fire pits.

I don’t know that I’ve used the ones in Newport as often as the ones around Huntington Beach, but my memories of them stretch back to high school, where we would all gather around and, uh, innocently have a good time.

Really, we weren’t all that bad.

But the rings have always been magnets for partygoers, as there is something sort of hypnotizing about a huge flaming pile of wood blazing at sunset and beyond.

Now we use the fire pits as a family.  My son loves nothing more than to hang out, play in the sand, have a picnic, and help his dad build the fire.

I hope that Newport doesn’t ban the use of the rings, but instead beefs up enforcement. 

And let’s hope that Huntington Beach doesn’t get any bright ideas from Newport, either.

As you probably know I grew up back east, but what you probably don’t know is that I absolutely LOVE autumn. I love seeing the leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange and red. I love that exquisite can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-it scent that fills the air, which is crisp and cool and a nice contrast to the subtle warmth of the sun. I love breaking out my turtlenecks, wool sweaters and jackets. I love that with fall comes football season and tailgating. I love getting the season’s first snowfall. Of the four seasons it is by far my favorite.

My new version of autumn/fall. The sun setting over Dana Point Harbor

Obviously living in Orange County many of these things don’t occur. We may only have two seasons, as a lot of people like to say … summer and not summer. However, it doesn’t take away from the best part of experiencing all four seasons as they do in other parts of the country. In my opinion, the best part of the seasons changing is the anticipation of the change regardless if it is traditional or not. And in my case, wearing a whole different wardrobe. I’m a sucker for any kind of black turtleneck sweater.

I’m totally digging the cooler weather we’re experiencing this week. While we don’t have trees bursting with vibrant colors and it’s not quite turtleneck sweater weather yet it is light sweater weather and  the air is crisp and cool. I can live with that.

So, OC Metbloggers, what is your favorite season? Do you share my affinity for black turtleneck sweaters?

If you want some spooky spoilers, here’s a nice video of Disneyland’s Halloween Screams Fireworks!

This is Disney at its best people. If you haven’t gotten out to the park to see it, then you’re really missing out!

It’s Friday, so that means it’s my time to post about OC’s local nude beach again (har, har). The rally on Sunday the 13th was a smashing success. If you’re interested, check out the Register’s article for all the deets. For those of you who still don’t understand what all the ruckus is about, The Friends of San Onofre have created a nifty YouTube video explaining why they feel keeping the south end of the beach clothing-optional is important.

Do you think it’s important to maintain the traditional clothing optional status of the beach or do you think it’s time for a change?

It’s not too late!  You can still sign up here to keep our world-famous, beautiful beaches of Orange County clean.

And yes, that should include the nudists, too! ;)

(photo courtesy of DHN via Wikimedia Commons)

There will be a rally in support of the continuation of the long tradition of clothing optional beaches in California State Parks. This is a joint effort by the Naturist Acton Committee and Friends of San Onofre Beach. The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Clothing Optional area, near the south end of Trail 6!

The event planners encourage you to bring signs and banners supporting the right to have a clothing optional beach. They are hoping for a substantial turnout of protestors who will strip nude and fight for their right to stay that way. They even plan on taking the issue to the Supreme Court.

As you may recall Gina and I have had (conflicting) opinions about this topic. Let’s hear what you have to say?

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Will you go to the rally?

If you are looking for a nice day trip, from Orange County, and like the outdoors I recommend a trip to the beautiful Mount San Jacinto State Park in Palm Springs, to hike around on the trails. This is exactly what the husband and I did this past Sunday.

The hiking trails are easy, especially if you are just meandering and allowing all of your senses to fully absorb everything the forest has to offer. The senses go into overdrive the minute you step on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, this is especially true if you have a height thing, which I do.

Follow me after the jump for more photos and commentary.

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Last Saturday, I was to meet my wife in Burbank in the afternoon, so we could go out in L.A. The problem was she already had a car, so if I drove, we’d have to take 2 cars home. I could have driven her up there at 7am, but who wants to do that? Luckily, Metrolink had a few trains running, several of which would get me up to L.A. right at about 4 o’ clock, which is when she would be done! I saw this as a nice opportunity to document what worked and what didn’t for those of you who may be a little weary of the trains. I made a video for your viewing pleasure. Here are a few things to note about the trains and the video before you watch:
-I’m sorry the walking bits are so shaky. It’s not easy to hold the camera steady when you’re rushing to catch the trains.
-Once you figure out how to read the train schedule, it’s fairly simple to figure out connections and the like, but there is definitely a bigger learning curve to Metrolink than say, New York MTA.
-The trains are NOT marked! The first time I attempted Metrolink travel I ended up on my way to the I.E. instead of Los Angeles! If there are trains departing just minutes from each other, ask the other riders around you to make sure the one at the station is the right one.
-Union Station need to label the trains better. According to the schedule online, my train to Burbank ended in Burbank, yet it was labeled the Lancaster train! I just made my train by literally less than a minute. I’m sure trains have been missed because of the same problem.
-Remember, if you plan to leave for home after around 7pm, don’t plan on the train. They don’t run at night.

And now, the video:

Let’s face it. Gas wars or not, Americans like trucks. While many Americans own them as a necessary tool for their occupation, there are plenty who also own a truck because they like how it looks or the size or they enjoy going off-road on the weekends. I fall into the last category. Actually, I think I fall into all the categories. When I owned my truck, I used it to haul my DJ equipment, I loved how it looked, I liked being bigger than most other vehicles and I LOVE to go off-road! The only problem is, for that last group, the off-road enthusiast, there really have never been any truly off-road capable trucks you could buy off the dealer’s floor. Sure there was the Hummer, but who has $100,000+ to spend on something that’s not even really capable of being a daily driver? How can we get our off-road fun toy without spending many thousands of dollars on conversions, just to make the thing unbearable to drive to and from work??

Thankfully, Ford not only heard our calls for help, but they decided to spoil the hell out of us. Drum roll please…..ladies and gentlemen, I present my new obsession……The Ford F-150 Raptor.

Bringin' the Orange to the County

I highly suggest you follow me past the jump for more pictures and information that will make many of you want to run to the nearest Ford dealership. Yes, really! (more…)

Well, miracles never cease. Murphy, the fire-breathing dragon in Disneyland’s Fantasmic, finally made his debut and he looks incredible! Click here to see the big guy in all his glory! Has anyone been out to see him yet? If so, what did you think?

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