Author, Diana L. Guerrero attempts to rejuvinate in North County San Diego. If you have never visted the North County of San Diego I recommend that you do!
I began making the trek to North County San Diego in 1975 when I was on a surfing safari with a large group of LA Lifeguards and Jr. Guards. There is something about the energy of the place that always brings me back...next year it will be 30 years!
Last week I finished the draft proposal on the new book and updated my calendar to adjust to some cancellations. My editor loves it and made only one suggestion for an addition.
In the meantime, home is not very peaceful since a construction company is working below my place and they are NOT doing any dust control. I've been having a hard time with the air pollution they are causing and decided to have my trip coincide with the final work on the road.
Anyway, I arrived last night and had a popcorn feast with some friends. (We also included cheese and fruit and other snacks in the late dinner.)
My pal Elivia is teaching at an institute for ministers this week and got in about the time I arrived. Since I had a blood panel scheduled (I've been too fatigued to ignore it any longer.) we both needed to eat quickly and nutritiously.
Why do I travel down here for medical stuff? Because this area sports some of the best alternative healing practioners around.
After my arm was gently pricked this am (Really, the gal is fabulous--she does about 1,000 blood draws a year and you do not feel the needle prick.) I headed down to Swami's since the fast needed to be broken!
Swami's is an old famous eatery on Pacific Coast Hwy in Encinitas. (I'd say it is on the border of Encinitas and Cardiff since nothing is really in between.) The food is fab.
Sparrows and finches helped themselves to drinks from the water fountain in the garden room where I sat. This place is an old surf rat favorite, it also shares the name of the surf spot located right across the street.
The surf location was dubbed Swami's because it is below the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF). Founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920, the center owns a beautiful portion of ocean front property. Instead of calling him by name his brand locally became "swami." The restaurant's history? I really don't know it, but the food is wholesome, the coffee is good, and the place is an old habit by now.
SRF shares the oceanfront property with practioners, students, and visitors. One of the favorite tourist locations is the meditation garden on the grounds. It is a beautifully maintained facility with koi ponds, fabulous foliage, and a breathtaking view. You can sit at numerous locations and enjoy the setting for as long as you like. I was there for several hours.
SRF also has a great home study program. I recommend you read "Autobiography of a Yogi." Since Yogandanda's history is fascinating. (The ISBN is 0876120834 if you want to find it.)
The rest of the day was spent back to Elivia's. Our book club has started a tradition of collecting charms relevant to the books we are reading and I found some split rings down here that will help me place them on the chain.
Tomorrow I have a doctor's evaluation and will probably take some time to enjoy the lovely weather by swimming. I enjoy having some time off--maybe I can read our current book club selection!
