Nineteen years ago, (!!) I began this blog with a post about Thanksgiving at the beach. I never would have guessed that nearly 20 years later, I’d still be at the same place, doing nearly the same thing. Thanksgiving for me is a solo no-work, no-fuss, no-pressures day of peace (complete with Stove Top and frozen pumpkin pie!) But it seemed fitting to repeat some of the same route I took on my first Thanksgiving here.

This time I hiked the bike path on foot, rather than on two wheels, as my bike unfortunately didn’t survive my last birthday beers on bikes tour. While a lot has changed in those years, a lot has also stayed the same. Beachfront houses continue to be replaced by newer McMansions, and others have new tell-tale fencing up awaiting their turn. But the beach remains. Sunny, near 70 degrees, with people out on bikes, playing volleyball, out with their dogs, and some even trying to catch non-existent waves. Jets still fly overhead after taking off from LAX.

It’s hard to say whether I’ll be here at 20 years (or 30?!), but I’m glad I was today.

November 2005: Thanksgiving at the Beach