Springing Forward

I love these first tentative days of spring and the palpable sense of joy in rediscovering the outdoors, particularly in a place with as much biodiversity and varied landscapes as Southern California. Although the seasonal shifts are subtle here in Los Angeles, there's still a noticeable shifting as winter falls away and springtime hopes gradually become more secure and solid. The winter produce is already looking a bit ragged at the market, it's been a few weeks since the last rain, and the temperature jumped sharply upwards in the last few days.

A few weekends ago, we took advantage of a break in the rain to explore the nearby Abalone Shore Tidepools in Rancho Palos Verdes. With some sturdy shoes (flip flops aren't recommended), some sunscreen, and $5 for parking, we spent hours exploring the little pools and crevices filled with anemone, snails, and sea creatures of all shapes and sizes (see if you can find the less-than-fingernail sized crab in the third photo). 

We initially found the tidepool idea at 356 Cheap Dates, a which is an invaluable local resource for inexpensive activities of all varieties in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. If spring caught you by surprise and you're looking for a little outdoor fun, this is definitely a good place to search for ideas. And if you're not local or spring hasn't quite arrived, it feels good knowing it's finally, tangibly, nearly almost here. 

Wishing you all great weekend, regardless of the weather or adventure.