Early Departure

“Let’s go to the beach tomorrow,” said Eleanor to Chauncey. 

“It’s Fourth of July weekend,” Chauncey groaned.  Eleanor looked pleadingly at Chauncey.  “The only way I’m going is if we leave at 6 AM.” 

"How about 7?" suggested Eleanor.

Chauncey packed the car the night before with the chairs, boogie boards and wet suits.  Eleanor organized the food—chicken Caesar wraps, cole slaw and pretzels, all from Trader Joe’s, and some bottled iced teas from Whole Foods. 

They squeezed into their wet suits.

At 7:05 the next morning, Chauncey and Eleanor headed out for the hour’s drive to the beach.  As they descended from Calabasas into Malibu, Eleanor mentioned getting some bran muffins to go with their coffee before setting up at the beach.  It was only 8:10 and the fog had not yet burned off.  The air temperature was about 63 degrees.  Chauncey expressed reservations about eating a bran muffin before spending several hours at the beach, but eventually gave in to Eleanor’s wishes.  

They arrived at Zuma and parked on Pacific Coast Highway in front of the bathrooms.  Chauncey took the cooler and the chairs while Eleanor was left with the wet suits and boogie boards.  They found a spot right at the high tide line to ensure that no one settled in front of them. There were several surfers in the water and a few families setting up their living rooms under large canopies. 

After the bran muffins and coffee, Eleanor and Chauncey squeezed into their wet suits and walked gingerly into the ocean with their boogie boards.  Chauncey discovered a sand bar and that is where they stood as they waited for waves with enough push to ride into the shore. 

When they left, 6 hours later, the beach was packed with people, the parking lots were full and two cars were vying for Chauncey and Eleanor’s space as they pulled out.  Eleanor acknowledged that Chauncey was right for wanting to leave so early in the morning to avoid the crowds.  Chauncey smiled.

Then, Eleanor said, “I bet next time we could get away with leaving home at 8.”