Escapes

I have a feeling that the cool reprieves are over, and now we're in for a long, hot summer.

The beach is usually a nice escape from the heat, but this year there's just no escaping the outrageous gas prices, so our family is trapped here in the heat of the valley.

No coastal get-a-way for us this year. I'm sure there are many Valley dwellers in the same position, so I thought I'd cheer us all up by thinking of all the bad things about the beach.

First up there's the drive. Right after moving here ten years ago we made the mistake of following the Yahoo directions to get to Pismo. They included a “shortcut” along the Shandon Highway between CA-46 and US-101. Despite slowing to about 12 miles an hour, even the baby woke up from a sound sleep being car sick on the narrow, windy road!

It does not matter how big the car is eventually someone will have a “Will-you-stop-touching-me!” session in the back. But that's usually saved for the return trip when everyone is tired and irritable with sunburn.

Then there's the beach, with its steady breeze of refreshingly cool air . . . oh, I'm digressing into good things already. Hey, sometimes the breeze carries the smell of rotting fish . . . which will attract sea gulls.
Okay, anything attracts sea gulls.

Sea gulls are notorious snatchers. Keep an eye on your food and small children at all times. I recommend weighing them down with water logged diapers. (The small children, that is.)

Oh, and the sand. That hike from the pier to the perfect spot is slower than running in a nightmare.
Plus you are usually carrying more equipment than Lewis and Clark took on their little excursion west.
If you are wearing sandals they quickly scoop up a bucketful of sand and you have to stop to off-load every few feet. But if you don't wear sandals you get practice at the ancient Indian rite of fire walking.

And sand doesn't just stay on the ground. It blows into your eyes, your mouth, your food and drinks. It sticks to sunscreen, gets into your hair and your clothes and every crease in your skin.

Should you let someone bury you in the sand it will take a month of regular bathing to remove the last grains. And none of those wayward grains are going to turn into pearls.

There is plenty of ice water, but it's all in the ocean. Children love frolicking in the surf, but if you are over the age of 30, mind numbing pain will shoot up from your ankles and out through your temples if you dare let waves cover your feet.

And for those of you who can make it past the cold – two words: dorsal fins!
If I still haven't convinced you and you'll miss the beach as much as I will, I have an alternative escape that won't cost you a month's wages in gas money.

The Creative Center's Jon Ginsburg Gallery is presenting “Land and Sea EsCapes.”
Beautiful landscapes and seascapes by The Creative Center studio artists are now on display through July 3.

Perfect timing for a little get-a-way.

“If you just stare at one of these pictures long enough you really feel as if you could be at the coast, or on a cool mountain get-a-way,” said Pam Flores, The Creative Center's Arts marketing director. And if you really like it, take it home with you – most of the works are for sale.

The featured student artist, Daphne Newman, and her peaceful, Mediterranean-style landscapes were the inspiration for the theme of the show. Visalian Donna Coleman is the guest artist. This may be her debut exhibit, but Pam told me Donna's watercolors have proven to be very popular.

The Ginsburg Gallery is located at 410 E. Race St. in Visalia. It is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it's free!

Which the beach isn't.

Sure, there's no charge to walk out onto the sand and plunk down your umbrella, but the beach will cost you. By the time you add up: wet suit rentals, plus some sort of board or toy to distract yourself from the ice water; sodas and snacks; lunch of some wonderful chowder in a bowl you can eat, but nobody does; some irresistible Chotchkie that is perfect for one family member, and then several more over-priced somethings for everyone else, to make it “fair,” including one that was way, way too expensive, but it was the only thing that was remotely close to being useful for one last family member; and throw in some saltwater taffy, too; oh yeah, it's expensive!
And I didn't even get back to the outrageous price of gas.

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