"Right near Laguna Beach... boooyyyeeee!"

  Laguna Beach, California, United States
Monday, July 21, 2008

We've heard it all before. Who hasn't? Now it was time to see if the product lived up to the hype. Laguna Beach, a getaway like nothing else, certainly did.

I was worried it would be nothing like the aesthetically pleasing scenery you would see on the self-titled MTV show, and everything you would see on the reluctant-to-mention, drama-packed The Real Housewives of Orange County. Luckily, it was neither. We arrived at Renee's friend's house at around 11:30 p.m., which was far too late to appreciate the beauty of her location alone.

The grand view from the living room

I soon learned the awesome and unreal blessing of a home in which Stina had been living for the past three years. I believe the directions read something like this: drive into Laguna Beach, turn right at beach, immediate right into driveway. We were in awe. The household was an interesting conglomerate, consisting of Stina the artist, Megan the hermit, and Lauren, the southern belle living the good life on daddy's money.

When Stina asked us what we wanted to do that morning, I knew it had to be a joke.

Stina and Renee at Newport Beach

As if there was one thing I would want to do more than get back to the beach and spark up that sunburn. We spent all day Friday on Newport Beach. I was baffled by the Golden flakes that filled the beach water, and to be honest, it made me crave a bowl of Golden Grahams cereal. Oh well, I was there soaking up that beach, shirt wrapped around my head, tuned out to all the world while Renee and Stina talked about boys. It was sweet.

In the zone... leave me alone

One of the dazzling features of Laguna Beach was its rolling hills. It's rare that I even want to be inside a car while on vacation (especially one at the beach), but Renee and I had Stina take us up and around the city. We saw its peaks, overlooks, and of course, its affluent lifestyle.

Atop the hills of Laguna

While walking through the city, I was amazed to see how artsy it was. Everything was natural beauty, architected to near-perfection. The whole day had gone so well, and I had never felt closer to Renee. After viewing "The Dark Knight" on its opening night, we took a midnight stroll down the rocks on the beach until we found a secluded spot. I laid my coat down for Renee and just basked in that moment. Overcome with emotions and good feelings, I told Renee I loved her for the first time.

I Love You

It was a miraculous way to end a day that seemed to include everything I could ever want.

Still on a high from the night before, I woke up in smiles and picked up the guitar and strummed away to some James Taylor as I took in the view out of Stina's window.

James Taylor wanna be

Renee and I were already anticipating a great day, as Stina told us she was taking us to a lesser-known hideaway beach. She was right. We walked down a magnificent, flower-enclosed stairway to a beach holding no more than ten people, all of whom looked local.

Stairway to Heaven

Unfortunately, the weather was a little chilly and overcast, but I didn't care, we were in Laguna Beach. I spent most of the time taking pictures and listening to The Beatles on my portable iPod player.

Although that was the last day of our trip, and the close of our vacation, we never stopped smiling.

Renee soaking it up

 I must have taken at least three pictures each of the same thing because I was determined not to forget anything we experienced. The trip was the epitome of extensive planning gone right. My childhood dream was now official, I was to continue my life traveling at least four times a year, and whenever I could. I sincerely believe I'll eventually do this for a living. I'm so anxious sitting here typing this, just awaiting all the places I have yet to see.

Gorgeous parting weather