Returning Home to OC, At Least For a Bit
Orange County Means Beaches, Warm Weather and Friendly Faces
I forgot to heed the adage you cannot go home again.
After spending months cross crossing the United States and beyond with my wife Debbie, it was time to unpack the bags and breathe. We recently made the drive from Arizona and found a terrific place in Dana Point, California. Back in The OC my friends.
For the majority of the past 40 years, Orange County has essentially been my home. I attended school here. My children were raised here. I have worked for tremendous companies here.
And I met my wife here. It was a life-changing blind date at a magical place in Laguna Beach, but that’s another story.
Home home is Chicago. Born and raised. Cubs, Bears, Bulls and ‘Hawks. You will never take that out of me. That said, I have spent more time living in Orange County than anywhere else. As an adult, I know it better than any other.
While there’s no place like home, I honestly do not know how long we will stay here. This could be a short visit or it may serve as a homecoming that lasts many more years. Once the holiday season is finished and the calendar flips to 2024, my focus will turn directly to securing the best new opportunity that aligns with my passion, skills and values.
Over the years, several Orange County cities have served as my home including Irvine, Newport Beach and Brea. Now, I am now adding Dana Point to the list. This wonderful beach town is near the southern tip of the county. Over the years, it has managed to fly under the radar to beach cities in Newport, Huntington and Laguna.
This location allows me easy access to the Pacific Ocean and the opportunity to capture its never-ending landscape. This stop in our journey will serve as the longest stint Debbie and I have spent in one place since beginning of our travels last July in Longboat Key, Florida.
What’s been nice is having the ability to get up and out in the morning and walk. I have taken advantage of the amazingly beautiful weather and have regularly clocked between 3-5 miles each time I walked around my neighborhood.
In the evenings, mother nature over from the tremendous balcony views which showcase sunsets and the pacific ocean. It is where you can find me on any given day around 5ish. I call it the -ish factor.
My walks have also included these *&*&%$ stairs. I say that because the first time I ran up them, I could not catch my breath. While the act often leaves me gasping for air, I am getting better. When I walk solo, I run up these steps and two different times during my neighborhood walkabouts.
The adventure will certainly continue as we ready to turn the calendar page into 2024. Certainly more posts will arrive in your inbox here soon. Many thanks for being apart of my journey.
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Glad to have you back in OC. Although I like it when you are actually connected to North OC ;-)
The photos are stunning...I miss that scenery. Glad you are “home” and refreshing your spirit.