Little Summer Outings: 3, 4

GREAT PARK

Hot. Flat. Adolescent trees that can't grow shade. It's getting there...

Timeline painted on an air strip

Kids play area with Balloon in the background

Carousel

Tandem Bicycle near the airstrip, aka the "recycled-use
cement parking lot".  H ow eco-friendly of them!

   









   











     Orange County's Great Park is a work in progress - after all, turning acres of cement into a park is no easy feat! The Great Park will only take up less than 30% of the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station, which means over 1,347 acres are allotted for OC's biggest park.
The first order of business was a big orange balloon, set up in 2007 to take visitors 500 feet up in the air for panoramic views of the county, free of charge. Since then the park has added a kids play area, a great lawn, sports fields, organic gardens, a small museum, carousel, and they even have Farmer's Markets every Sunday morning.
Mostly I wanted to go up in the big balloon, and recruited my sister to meet me at the park for a look around. After getting lost in the suburbahell of south orange county (it's hard to figure out where you are when everything looks the SAME), I finally made it to the entrance of the park. My sister and I were almost the only ones in the parking lot on this hot July day, where none of the trees are big enough to park under, unfortunately. So we made our way across the shadeless parking lot and along the shadeless fields, over the shadeless timeline (painted on an air strip) to the shadeless entrance for the balloon. However, the was no line, and the gates were closed! We found an information tent, air conditioned thank heavens, where they told us the balloon was under inspection until the next week. This was grim news, but we decided to explore anyways. We rode the carousel (it was free) walked through the museum (interesting, albeit very small), found some shade at the Kids Rock park, and searched in vain for anything cold to drink or eat. We wanted to find the botanical gardens but the July asphalt and our hunger drove us to call it a day. We ended up going down the freeway to the Irvine Spectrum to sit in the AC and drink a smoothie.
My consensus is that this up-and-coming park will be awesome in a few years. Right now it's pretty hot, flat, not that exciting and there's no food or vending machines (a cold water or Coke would have been amazing). However, now that the balloon is offering rides again, I'll have to give it another shot. Plus, now I know that you should bring your own food and drinks, and hats and sunscreen (or come during Farmers). And if you ever have an inkling for an Ultimate Frisbee showdown, their fields would be a perfect spot!

Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach - on the Esplanade, looking South towards Palos Verdes

Yellow Vase - my favorite! 

I didn't expect visiting Redondo to be quite so emotional. This was our spot. We lived in the Village of Redondo Beach, nestled up to the hills of Palos Verdes, lights criss crossing the streets of downtown, and the wide white bike path along the flat beach that disappears in the distance, going all the way to Malibu. This was our street, with the green grass divider, trees all the way down, where we put out all our junk and acquired all our treasures. I remember waking up on weekend mornings to the sounds of cyclists and their loud snippets of conversation while whizzing by: "AND HAVE YOU SEEN GARY'S DOG" or "COULDN'T BELIEVE HIS MOM WOULD SAY" 

Anyways, we hadn't visited in far too long, not since living in San Clemente. It's like a past relationship, where you know why you had to go your separate ways, but you still appreciate the great qualities that made you fall in love in the first place.

Things like our magical little spot in the middle of LA-ness, our three minute walk to the ocean, how the beach ended and the cliffs began, breakfasts at Yellow Vase, riding our bikes to Penguins Frozen Yogurt, meandering the craziness of the pier and harbor, biking along the coast to Manhattan Beach for Sunday morning coffee and newspapers.

We lived here during some of the hardest times of our life - newly married, my family recovering from a recent tragedy, we didn't know a single person, I had trouble finding a job, Jordi hated his commute to Hollywood and I hated his long, long hours. It was lonely and hard at times, but eventually we did make some friends, I found a job, and we got to know and love our area - Redondo Beach had become our home. 

So the other week, when we finally went back for a visit and I found myself crying into my coffee cup at Yellow Vase, I thought something must be wrong with me. But when I started thinking about it, Redondo holds a lot of memories. Some of the hardest memories of our married life, and some of the sweetest. The first place we both called home still holds a very special place in our hearts. And although your trip might not be filled with walks down memory lane, everyone can find it enjoyable, and it's definitely a town I highly recommend visiting.

Take your bike, and cycle along the coast to the pier.
Go to Yellow Vase for breakfast, or stop in at one of the many cute restaurants in town.
Go up into Palos Verdes and take in the stunning views
Rent a kayak, or take your own down at Torrance Beach
Get a beer from Naja's Place at the Harbor - they have 88 on tap!

The Jesus van! In its daily spot by Trader Joe's

Looking North from Torrance Beach (in front
of our old apartment)

Looking South

Kayaking in the coves of Palos Verdes

A Sunday Driver

Historic San Clemente Golf Club

Golfing, like skiing, is a rich man's sport. Or so I thought until I found myself putting in front of a local golf club - ocean sparkling in the distance, whir of carts driving by, and coffee still warm in my belly.
"How can this be free??" I thought to myself, as I focused on keeping my arms straight and aligning my feet.

Putting with a glimpse of the ocean

Golf can be a gaudy sport - How many clubs do you have? What kind? What brand? Do you own a cart? Are you properly dressed and cleated? Where did you learn? Are you a member? Have you eaten the ahi tartar down at the club?
But I have some news for you - ANYONE can enjoy the benefits and beauty of a golf course on a quiet morning or warm evening without breaking the bank, and I highly recommend it.

It all started when some friends invited Jordi to play golf with them on Saturday.
"But you don't play golf," I pointed out.
He figured he could borrow a club and whack some balls without prior lessons, and deciding to forgo his flip-flops in lieu of shoes at the last moment, he was out the door.
Once my spy to the Promised Land returned, he told me tales of rolling green hills flowing with milk and honey - or more specifically how one could putt for free in front of the restaurant, and drive for cheap, enjoying the spectacular views so many Orange County courses provide. Throw in a breakfast or Happy Hour and we had ourselves a date. Plus he assured me that this pertained to just about any golf course there is.

Misty morning and hot coffee

After dropping a Hamilton at Play It Again Sports for a couple of used clubs and balls, we set about researching the menus for clubs near our house. We most certainly wouldn't want to show up and Not Eat!
We decided on the San Clemente City Golf Course, located at the South end of town, just a few miles from us. Situated in the middle of a neighborhood, the atmosphere is not too exclusive or intimidating and they even have a restaurant that advertises in the local paper. We sat on the patio overlooking the greens, warm under a heat lamp in the quiet misty morning. We had breakfast and coffee and read the paper, and then went out front to try out our new clubs and balls. We putted about for awhile and Jordi gave me my first lesson. It was really fun to have a reason to hang out in the beautiful morning, the sun warming our backs as we purposefully practiced.

A couple weeks later, we went for another golf adventure. This time we were on a bike ride, and decided to stop by the golf course for some driving and a drink. They have clubs for borrowing and a basket of balls costs $6. We then found a spot on the line-up and practiced schwacking the balls into the netherworld. Once our basket of balls was out, we sat by the fire-pits at the outdoor patio. Jordi ordered a beer and I got an iced tea. Drinks and driving set us back about $15, and provided fun, mellow outdoor entertainment on a beautiful spring day.

Driving range

I'd like to explore some different golf courses and check out all the different views and menus they come with, while practicing my stance and aim. My favorite aspect of golf, or in our case putting and driving, is that it gives us an excuse to be social, outside, and affordably "fancy", all in the same swing. Southern California has some of the best weather in world -  so get off the internet and go for a midweek putt or a 'Sunday drive'!

A Hike in the Canyon, With Fudge

Hiking in the hills of Ortega Canyon

     I had been on Ortega Highway once, winding through the canyon from Lake Elsinore to the coast.  In spite of feeling carsick, I thought the scenery was very pretty. But until I kept hearing people talk about their weekend adventures, which seemed to always take place in Ortega Canyon, I didn't realize there was so much to discover off the road.

Ortega Oaks Candy Store and Goods, on Ortega Highway

     So the other day, when neither of us had work, I put my foot down for a trip to Ortega Canyon, which is part of the Cleveland National Forest. My husband was reluctant, as we had no idea where to go, where to park, if you needed a Park Pass to hike or how much that would cost, or how far we would have to drive before finding something - if anything.
     But I had heard about a good hiking trail behind the Candy Store on Ortega Highway. I figured that was enough information to go on, so I packed our lunch and waters, tossed Jordi the car keys and hopped in the front seat.  (Kind of like a dog holding his leash when it's time to go to the park....)
Being the good sport that he is, he followed suit and started driving us off to our adventure. The coastal fog receded as we drove into the Canyon, giving way to a beautiful sunny day. Houses became sparse, and eventually we found ourselves officially entering the National Forest.

Inside the candy shop

     We finally came across the Ortega Oaks Candy Store and Goods about 20 miles from the 5 Freeway and located on the South side of the Highway. Apparently this little store sells day use passes for $5 to park in the National Forest. You hang one in your car and it's good until 10 a.m. the next morning. We pulled into the little parking lot next to a simple blue building on the side of the road, with picnic tables and umbrellas outside. We walked through the screen door and into the shop, which felt more like the kitchen and living room of an old aunt with a bad sense of style, a welcoming heart and a talent for cooking fudge.
     With bins full of nostalgia-inducing candies (Andes mints and salt water taffy are my favs)
 and homemade chocolates, we couldn't simply walk off with our park pass, but picked out some dark chocolate almond bark as well.
     Trail heads go up from behind the candy shop, as well as from the parking lot across the street. Hiking and horseback riding are allowed on both sides, but mountain biking is only allowed on trails North of the highway.
     We opted for a trail that began behind the shop marked "Bear Canyon Trail". From that trail, we ended up doing a loop about five miles long. We stopped along the way to have our sack lunch - a typical meal of pb&j, carrots, fruit and BONUS: the almond chocolate bark we picked up at the candy store.

You can't see the bees, but they were there. The hive is
in the dark spot of the trunk.

     Walking back we heard a loud hum, and stopped to see a large swarm of bees who had taken over a tree trunk lying across the creek. I wished I could dip my hand into the fresh honey, but thought better of it and satisfied myself with a picture instead. I'm definitely going to buy some Ortega Canyon honey next chance I get, though!
     We finished the rest of the loop in no time, and were back at the car in a few hours, tired and content. Finding some homemade chocolate in the middle of nowhere, purchasing a pass for only $5, hiking in the woods with no one but the birds and bees, and a beautiful, relatively short drive to get there made a great success out of our uncertain outing!

Behind the Skate Park

San Clemente Skate Park, overlooking Camp Pendleton

Path along the ridge. Ocean (and houses) on one side. Mountains and Camp Pendleton on the other.

Old cattle troughs overlooking Pendleton and the ocean.

Sorry Native Americans, Spanish,

 Mexicans and finally cows -

make way for our tract homes!

     Situated in the back hills east of the freeway, the San Clemente Skate Park is a cement haven free of charge for anyone from girls on scooters to old men with knee pads and circa 70's skateboards. My husband Jordi falls somewhere in this spectrum and loves to skate around on quiet mornings with no surf. Not liking to be left behind, I often times tag along on his trips to the skate park, since it's in a beautiful location, and next to a park overlooking the hills of Camp Pendleton. On one of these trips, I wandered behind the bathrooms and found a path that went almost vertically up a hill, and then divided. Since then, I had always gone right for a view of the ocean and short walk along the ridge. Then one day I decided to go left. I had always thought the left turn would just loop around and connect to the way I had been going, but was I in for a surprise! I ended up walking for almost an hour along the ridge and back, leaving Jordi sweating and skating for longer than he bargained for!
     The next time, I convinced Jordi to leave his skating early and come with me up the hill. We walked all the way to the end of the trail, which ended in a water reservoir and neighborhoods. The main path is paved and gently sloping among the hills. Other small dirt trails criss cross all over the hills, perfect for mountain bikers.
     We walked along the path, with expansive views of Camp Pendleton and the coastline - from Dana Point and past the power plant. It's a beautiful and enjoyable walk that I would recommend for an early morning (not much shade) or a clear day (Catalina!). Stumbling upon an old printout map somewhere in my desk area called "San Clemente Trail and Bike Ways Map", I found out that there are many more such walks in San Clemente that I have yet to try out. The path I had found is called Rancho San Clemente Trail. It starts and ends in neighborhoods, but meanders through the hills for 3.5 miles in between housing developments, and also has an access trail behind the skate park.
     We are blessed to live in such a beautiful town with hiking just minutes from our house.  Living for years on the Central Coast has spoiled me bit though, since I'm always a little bit disappointed to see so many big houses everywhere, or hike to the music of buzzing power lines. But I'm thankful for Camp Pendleton as a neighbor and the opportunity to find a hike while my hubby shows those teenage skaters who's boss. ;)

Local Bookstore

Owners Richard and Karen Palmer, with Harry the cat

Over 70,000 books in here to choose from!

Tuesday afternoon

Village Books on Avenida Serra

Harry watching over the Bookstore

   
   
     What do I and the French ambassador to Finland have in common? Well, for starters we both have an exquisite taste in where to buy our books, that being the Village Book Exchange in downtown San Clemente.

     Although Monsieur Ambassador bought his books from Village Book Exchange online (through AbeBooks.com), I'm lucky enough to live just blocks away from this little gem!
     On routine walks to Del Mar, the main street of downtown San Clemente, I've often passed this small bookstore, tucked down a quiet street, with green awnings and a quaint sign as a welcoming invitation to peek inside. Stepping up to the door, a sign reads, "Please do not let the cat out! Thank you." Once through the screen door, you are engulfed in one of life's best little pleasures - a well-stocked, cozy bookshop.

     A few decades ago, the aptly named Paperback Exchange was located on Del Mar with 10,000 used paperback books. Owners Mary and Jim Schroeder retired, selling the shop to a long time costumer, Karen Palmer, and her husband Richard. The store grew to also offer hardback and new books as well as paperbacks, began selling books online, and changed their name to Village Book Exchange. Recently, a combination of factors forced them to move off the main drag to a quieter street two blocks North. Although they don't get all the foot traffic they used to, loyal costumers keep this Mom and Pop shop busy and vibrant.

     The perfect mix of convenience and ambiance make a delightful neighborhood bookshop. One of the best things about Village Book Exchange is their Trading System. All those old books sitting on the shelf you don't need or read can be exchanged for something "new" and exciting. The store also stocks high school literature, popular new novels, and middle school book club reading for the community's convenience. Village Books is cozy and comfy, with chairs and carpets scattered throughout for the peace and comfort of Perusers. I appreciate their thoughtfulness since it can be frustrating to be deeply entrenched in the important business of skimming a book, with no place to sit and flip. Quiet corners in the back and bright sunshine streaming through the windows toward the front create a pleasant atmosphere. Not to mention a big, soft cat named Harry (if you can find him), and delightfully helpful owners and staff.
I asked a lady in the store with her son what she liked about coming to this bookstore. Well, it's local, her son is always needing new books for school or fun, and well, "Why go anywhere else?"

     Why, indeed? Amazon doesn't have well-worn chairs, Borders doesn't have a Trading System, and Kindle doesn't come with a cat. Besides, maybe you'll get lucky and bump into an erudite diplomat! So bring your coffee and find/visit your local bookstore :) 

Painting Pottery

   

Fall is fantastic - cool weather, glassy ocean, pumpkin pies, tourists gone and kids in school. But fall can also be cold and gloomy, the days are shorter with darkness creeping around earlier and earlier, and at our house we're already penny-pinching in preparation for Christmas. (Whoever decided it would be a good idea to give gifts to everyone you know on the same day??)
Longer nights and colder weather mean there are not the myriad of free outdoor activities as during the summer. But with picnic season over, I decided to hunt for other budget friendly ways to spend our evenings. I saw on our refrigerator an old yellowed coupon to paint pottery at a place near downtown San Clemente called Fired Up. I wasn't sure what we would be getting ourselves into, but we decided to try it out on a chilly day this last weekend.
Although I had walked by numerous times, I'd never been into Fired Up, and Jordi had never painted pottery at all. I was pleasantly surprised by the homey nature of the place - in fact the charming Spanish-style bungalow actually used to be a house, which just adds to the warm ambiance. With rooms full of pottery and tables, Fired Up welcomes groups of kids painting away an afternoon, couples with their pumpkin latte's busy picking colors for their new mugs, or groups of ladies with their glasses of wine, creating the perfect soap dish. You can spend $5 - $40, depending on what you choose to paint. But once you have paid that fee, you are free to paint for as long, and however many times  you want. Jordi and I decided to paint a $25 vase, he painted one side, I painted the other. We aren't quite done though, so we'll go back this weekend to continue painting, extending our affordable date into a free one :)
Whether low key or high class, painting in the cute house-turned-studio is relaxing and fun, and a perfect  thing to do on a cold day or night!

Hanson's Market

Welcome to Hanson's! 

Mike Cullinan grows these beautiful tomatoes in Oceanside

The smoothie menu -
a work in progress, but so far so delicious.
(Juicing menu hangs above this one)

Owner Ron Castruita, with happy San Clemente moms.

And of course, its on organic cotton :) 

Watch your juice or smoothie being made
through the window...

     Local, organic, vegan, raw, gluten-free, dairy-free, cage-free, free-range, grass-fed, nitrate and nitrite-free, probiotic, herbal, all natural (or shall we say "Au Natural"?) -  Hanson's Market has it all. San Clemente's first health food store finally opened last week, to the relief and excitement of all who were tired of Trader Joes' tiny parking lot, driving to Mother's in Laguna Hills and eating waxy fruit from Ralph's. I was one of these excited residents, but not content to just shop there, I wanted to work there as well and be part of the party. And here I am, on to this next adventure of working at the Market!
     A San Clemente resident for more than 26 years, Ron Castruita and his wife Diana saw a need in the community, decided to go for it, and a few months later Hanson's was born. Hanson's Market is named after Ole Hanson, the founder of San Clemente in the 1920's, and hence the local hotshot of yore.
     Once the city finally found time and energy to pass all the permits (between weekends, holidays, Friday's off, and sick days, it's really quite exhausting for them to sign these papers) Hanson's was up and running. And so were we! The term eight days a week has never been so appropriate as we unloaded produce, fine-tuned juice recipes and hustled to get everything priced. But this is what soft openings are for! In a few weeks when everything is organized and running smoothly, we will have a grand opening with vendors, samples and a more complete representation of what we'll be offering. Right now, some of my favorite things about Hanson's (besides the amazing, fun, and friendly people I get to work with and you get to shop with):
~ Meeting Mike Cullinan, our current tomato supplier from Oceanside, and tasting his freshly picked cherry tomatoes
~ Although the coconuts aren't local, it's pretty fun to pick one out, have it hacked open behind the deli and sip the refreshing, replenishing, and delicious water!!
~ "Oh you would like some extra beets in your juice? Well, go ahead and pick some out over there in the produce area and I'll juice it for you!"
~ Bread baked daily in San Juan Capistrano
~ The herbal supplement corner where certified nutritionists can address your every query.
Whether you'd like to sip a coconut, order some kale juice, or perhaps french cheese is more your style?  it's worth your while to wander over!

Music Under the Stars

In a last minute, last ditch attempt to have a date on a Saturday night, after a long and hectic week, we were scouring our brains and the internet for something of interest. Through word of mouth, we stumbled upon something - a concert series at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano called Music Under the Stars, that happens on Saturdays throughout the summer. We couldn't get too much information off the internet, so we decided to just go over there and check it out.

    We hurriedly put together a ramshackle picnic consisting of half a bottle of wine and the crumbs of a bag of chips - it was the end of the week and we were obviously not prepared for a picnic. Anyways, we grabbed a blanket as well, and ran out the door. As we screeched up to the Mission an hour after the festivities had started, I ran up to the window and asked if there were any more tickets. There were, just lawn seating though. "That's fine, how much is it?" $25 a piece! I was a bit dismayed at this news - $50 for us to go sit on the grass? But I love the big Mission, and I could see through the gate to the magical lights and beautiful gardens, and hear the fun music inside. Besides, it would be the same cost if not less, than dinner and a movie - and it would be something new. So we decided to go for it. Walking in through the gardens into the lights and music,  I was instantly glad about our decision.

     For those of you who have never been to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, it's one of the biggest and most beautiful missions I've ever seen. A huge plaza, brick walls showing through the cracked stucco, archways, rose gardens and fountains - it makes me wish I lived in an hacienda back in the day, with fresh tortillas and fiestas and chickens running around. But for that nights festivities it was the summer fresh watermelon, a steel drum band, and older people dancing around.

     I don't know where the people our age were, but they were not at this concert. Which is too bad, because along with the fun ambiance, the music was awesome and the dancing (by the professional dancers) was impressive. The dancing by the rest of the generation or two above us was pretty zealous and entertaining. During an intermission, we ended up running to a taco stand in a strip mall across the street (old chips and wine apparently did not suffice), bringing it back to enjoy with the second half of the show. Eating our picnic of the most delicious albeit lardy Mexican food ever, listening to reggae, watching the dancing, and exploring the mission - all under a balmy summer evening - was a fantastic way to spend an impromptu date night.

     Although there is only one more Music Under the Stars concert this summer, I definitely encourage you to go - if not Saturday, September 3 then next summer! If you buy tickets early enough, you can get a group of friends together and split the cost of a table. It can be a great deal for a talented concert in the Mission Plaza, with your friends and a fancy picnic. Of course, cheap Mexican food and lawn seating is pretty good too!

Los Rios

San Juan Capistrano reminds me a lot of my beloved alma mater town of San Luis Obispo - both are tucked away in the hills, blue skies overhead no matter what the coast is doing, and a big beautiful Mission to give life and history to the community.
Saturday was my sister's birthday, and I met up with my mom and two sisters to explore the Los Rios district of San Juan Capistrano for a girls morning outing. Los Rios is a historic street on the other side of the train tracks from the main downtown area. One you cross over the tracks to the shady lane, there are numerous shops and little restaurants, a park and even a petting zoo! And best of all, Los Rios Tea House, which was the perfect destination for four girls on a summer day. Although we didn't have floppy hats or English accents, everything about the 100-year-old Tea House was picture perfect. A rambling old wooden house turned into a restaurant and venue, with flowers and plants hanging and blooming everywhere, and even a bath tub with a sporadic shower-head that serves as a quirky fountain - all made for a perfect ambiance. They serve a regular menu as well as a tea menu, and of course an extensive list of teas. The huge pot of loose leaf English Breakfast and currant scones with cream and jam were just about as authentic as you can get on this side of the pond. My mom and sisters tried some more interesting varieties of tea that were absolutely delicious as well, but I always love English Breakfast. We could have spent the rest of the day tinkering about the adorable little shops and exploring the rest of the predominantly pedestrian street, but duties (aka a birthday party) called, and we weren't able to explore or shop to our hearts content. However, the weather was perfect, the tea was great (although don't expect small prices on victorian tea menus!) and we had a perfect morning. However, since we didn't even get to the actual downtown part of Camino Capistrano, the park, or the Mission, next time we'll allot ourselves the whole day!

Summer Concerts

I love free things. In fact, one year for my birthday my brother gave me a watch he received for free in a cereal box because he thought I would appreciate it more and actually wear it. Which I did, on both accounts.

Summer is a perfect time to enjoy free things. Since the weather is so nice and it's free to hike, play tennis, or go to the beach, it feels like there are so many options for the budget-minded. And last Sunday we stumbled upon one more - summer concerts in the park!

It was a beautiful yet windy summer afternoon when we decided to ride our bikes three miles from our house in downtown San Clemente to the Dana Point Harbor. Once down the big hill and safely on the bike path, it's a flat and easy ride all the way there.  We thought about renting stand up paddle boards, something we've both been wanting to try, but apparently it was too windy so the rental place was closing up. Not quite ready to ride back, we decided to climb the steep staircase that starts on the main harbor road and disappears enticingly over the top of the cliff. When we finally got to the top, we found a huge grassy park overlooking the whole harbor, it was gorgeous. So this was Lantern Bay Park - I had heard of it but never known where it was. Hundreds of people lounged on blankets, bbq-ing and hanging out in front of a big stage set up for a concert. We found out that Lantern Bay Park hosts Summer Concerts every Sunday afternoon at 4:30 (we were there at 4). I happened to have a towel in my backpack, so we decided to get a drink, find a spot on the grass and watch the show. The stand at the park offered beer or wine for $5 or $6, but since we didn't have cash we would have had to pay an ATM machine another $3.50. Instead we hiked a hill to the nearest grocery store where Jordi got a $2 beer and I got a 69 cent coke. Worth the walk, in my opinion!
We sat down and enjoyed the concert along with the whole fun-loving, dancing and eating park. The music was an enjoyably typical Classic Rock cover band, which the tipsy 40 year olds seemed excited about! I liked watching the families and groups of friends that were amazingly prepared with their coolers and gourmet picnics. The best was a family in front of us that had ceviche in cups complete with corn chips - I would never have thought of that!
Anyways, after the concert we biked home, perfectly content with how we had spent our late afternoon - outside in the sun, lots of people, fun atmosphere and of course - free music!
Are there community concerts in the park near you this summer? What is your favorite thing to pack in a picnic?