California Diaries: My Santa Monica Valentine

As promised, this week will be the end of me bragging about what a nice vacation we had. And thanks to L.A. traffic, this post will be equal parts bragging and equal parts road rage.

On Valentine's Day Kevin and I naively decided to spend the day outside of the Pasadena area and drive to Santa Monica. I know that many of you have to deal with traffic jams, honking, cars without turn signals cutting you off, and sitting for hours in non-moving traffic so you are probably already shaking your head. I feel bad for you, City Drivers, because it's awful. I don't know how anyone could still have their sanity after suffering through L.A. traffic every morning, going to work, and then inching all the way home.

Despite the bad traffic we had a nice day and I even took some photos to prove it. We walked nearly 6 miles on the beach, attempted to leave at 4:30 p.m. but got stuck in traffic, took the next exit to waste some time and ate dinner at Tender Greens (mmmmmm... roasted veggies). We wanted to see a movie but didn't want to spend  $30+ to do so and so we sat in the parking garage instead (it was cheaper and we were tired from walking all day). Then we tried to get on the freeway again. Nope. So we pulled off and sat in a Burger King parking lot. In case you haven't figured it out, we are a very romantic couple. Hey, it was Valentine's day - we had to treat ourselves. At approximately 9 p.m. we were able to happily merge onto the freeway and made it back to the place we called "home" for the week.

Apparently Santa Monica is a dirty beach... with quite a few dead birds.

Digging in the sand with their long beaks.

R.I.P. Crab

"I thought you were taking a photo of me!"

I was nervous that this would be the scene of the third time in six months that a bird pooped on me.

The rain and clouds came rollin' in!

Get swoll'

Human statue that looks just like a still human covered in seagull poop.

No photos of me this time! The sea mist and wind don't do me any favors.

My summarizing thoughts on California: if you feel like being warmed by sunshine and not artificial heaters but also find a little pleasure for the pain of sitting in traffic, I recommend going to Los Angeles!