You will find trip reports by Lloyd Johnson here.  The most recent reports are at the top.

December 17, 2003: Black's Beach

I set up my bulletin board and undressed immediately. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I set up wind breaks and reflectors to keep warm. I had to put on a fleece shirt occasionally.

I went swimming once. Most of the waves were small, but sets of larger waves came in at intervals. I caught one wave that carried me 5' above the water.

The tide was way out at first, and kept rising.

It was starting to cool off, but it was still warm when I left about 3pm.

December 15, 2003: Black's Beach

I set up my bulletin board and undressed immediately. I then headed north, to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide, and raised my flag.

The tide was kind of high, and kept getting higher. The beach had been carved into little peninsulas of high ground. Between the low ground and seaweed, there was often room for only one. I set up on a peninsula, barely within earshot of a friend on the next peninsula.

I set up reflectors, and that is what kept me warm most of the day. I found it necessary put on a fleece shirt about 3pm.

I went for one swim, with buddy, and rode a few waves. The water was clear enough that I found a sand dollar under the surf. We washed up a ways south of our entry point.

I left about 4pm. The sky was so clear that sunset must have given a green flash, but I didn't stay to see.

December 12, 2003: Black's Beach

I was surprised that there was hardly any mud in the parking lot, or on the trail. I was sure the rain would have left them both a mess.

I set up my bulletin board and took off my pants. It was a while before I was warm enough to take off my shirt too. I headed north and joined some friends.

The tide had been very high and left the whole beach wet. The beach was narrow and wet, due to high tide earlier. The only dry places to sit were against the cliff.

I set up far from the cliff, on wet sand. Fortunately, I had brought a waterproof sheet and a chair. I set up reflectors, but did not raise the flag. I thought it would cool off soon and I would leave early.

I left about 3pm, and noticed the handrail brace that was not there on my way down.

December 8, 2003: Black's Beach

I set up my bulletin board then headed south and set up near the City beach boundary. Once there, I undressed and raised my flag.

I set up reflectors, just in case it wasn't warm enough.

The flies were a bit of a problem. They didn't bother me so much.

The tide was way out all day. The tide had been very high and left much of the beach wet. There were trenches carved into the beach by waves removing sand.

I left about 3pm, even though it was still warm.

December 6, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I set up wind breaks and reflectors. They kept me warm until about 2:30pm. The flies were a bit of a problem. The tide was way out at first, but it was definitely rising.

I left about 3pm, because it was getting cloudy. The sun came out a little during my climb up the trail.

December 5, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag. I set up wind breaks and reflectors.

The flies were a problem, since there was little wind. The tide was way out all day. I did find it necessary to put on a fleece shirt for a short time in the afternoon.

I left about 3:30pm.

November 30, 2003: Black's Beach

I hiked down with long pants and shoes. Those turned out to be excessive on the beach, so I took them off right away.

Dave was there ahead of me and had already setup his bulletin board at the trailhead. I headed north to my usual spot and found that Dave had set up flags too.

Since there was very little wind, the flies were pretty bad. It's time to start bringing fly repellent. I set up reflectors, but it was too warm for me.

I left about 4pm, before sunset. 

November 23, 2003: Black's Beach

I hiked down in long pants and shoes, which is unusual for me. I set up my bulletin board and took off my pants. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag.  I soon took off my shirt too.

The tide had been very high and left most of the sand wet. I raked some sand to soften and dry a spot. I also set up some reflectors to have a warm spot later in the day.

The NCEX staff were removing their equipment throughout the day, as they were yesterday.  I saw them tow away one of their trailers.  There was still much to be removed.

I was glad to have the reflectors, long pants and shoes at the end of the day. Otherwise, I would have been cold.

I left the beach about 4:30, then waited in the parking lot for sunset. I saw an inversion layer separate a piece of the sun. Then I saw it turn a pale green. 

November 22, 2003: Black's Beach

I found that a friend had already set up my bulletin board.  I took off my pants, then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

The tide had been very high and left very little dry sand, and only near the cliffs.  I chose to sit in a chair on the hard, damp sand.

I only took off my shirt for a short time. I even put on a fleece shirt later in the day. I set up wind screens and reflectors to keep warm.  It was barely enough.

I packed before sunset and stopped to watch sunset on my way to the trail.  I could see a greenish tint to the top of the sun, but it wasn't quite a green flash.  I hiked up the trail and left the parking lot about 5pm.

November 17, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming and did a little body surfing. Visibility was poor until I got a ways past the huge surf. Eventually I found very clear water, but there was only sand a seaweed. I caught a great wave. I was on top of a six foot wave. Then it threw me ahead and the wave crashed down on me. It gave me quite a tumble and it was kind of hard to reach the surface again.

I could see the sand burm north of me.  My friends had told me about this barricade meant to contain the sewage spill of November 7.  I'm told much of the sewage is still contained within those sand walls.  I felt no desire to get any closer.

About 2pm I moved next to some reflectors I'd set up earlier, because it was getting a little cool. I stayed on the beach until about 4pm. Then packed up and made my way south to the trail.

About 4:45 I paused at the trailhead to watch sunset. The sun went down behind a cloud about one degree above the horizon and I saw a green outline on the clouds.

November 15, 2003: Black's Beach

I set up my bulletin board and headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide.  The weather didn't look very promising, so I didn't take the time to raise my flag.

I took off my pants, but kept my shirt on.  In fact, I even put on a fleece shirt to keep warm.  Just a little later I felt a mist.  I looked west and saw the rain over the ocean.

I packed up and left about 1:30pm.  Once in the parking lot, I looked back and it was getting sunny.

November 14, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed south and set up near city beach boundary. I raised my flag and a few friends joined me shortly

I left about 4pm.

October 26, 2003: Black's Beach

As I walked down the trail, I saw a vein of ash in the water.  I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board.  I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide.  When I got there, I found that Dave had already raised our flags.

Few people were on the beach.  Some I know were watering down their front yards.  One I know could not get home.  We occasionally heard news about closed freeways.

There were ashes falling everywhere, like a very light snow.  Throughout the day, there were more ashes on my sheet than sand.

I left about 5pm.  I chose to avoid freeways I knew or suspected were closed.  I took the long way home.

October 25, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

It was cooling off, so I left about 5:30pm.

October 24, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag. Once sitting down I noticed marker buoys for lobster traps, way beyond the surf.

I could see NCEX setting up more equipment throughout the day.

I left about 3:30pm, because it was getting a bit cool. Once up to the parking lot, I looked back and thought it might clear after all. But, it was too late for me. I went to see a movie until traffic lightened.

October 22, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag. On the way I passes NCEX setting up a fence and a panel inside, not high enough to keep people out though.

I was able to see a large group of sunspots through the haze.

Fog rolled in while I was swimming at about 2pm. I packed up and left about 3pm.

October 19, 2003: Black's Beach

Parking at 10:30am	street parking, plenty of spaces gliderport, plenty of spaces
Burro Trail	The trail was in mostly good condition.
Climate	hazy until 2pm, hot and sunny after 2pm, no wind until 3:30pm
People	maybe two hundred
Activities Observed	surfing, swimming, body surfing, body boarding, volleyball
Water	temperature: cool  surf: 5', but I couldn't catch any. visibility: less than 2 feet, red tide, reddish brown water, yellow foam
Wildlife Observed	western gulls, ring billed gulls, heerman's gulls, curlews, squirrels, rabbit, purple jellyfish, wimbrels, pelicans, raven, blue heron, shearwater gull
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in their white trucks and yellow truck with white camper.

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board.  I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

In the morning I heard what I thought were several sonic booms, but one of my friends didn't think that was it.  We saw a few sundogs in the afternoon.  Some of them were very colorful and I took a few pictures.

Several people were hit by a rouge wave, including myself.  It came out of nowhere and went as far back as the sandbags surrounding the NCEX trailers.  Don't they realize that the 7.2' high tides next weekend will destroy that facility?

I noticed a lot of new rocks on the beach, more from the slide of last fall.  Dave said he saw a little more slide activity about 4:50pm.  I only saw the dust.

We found a shearwater gull flopping around in the surf.  It was captured and given a chance to recover.  It attempted to fly, but wound up back in the surf.  It washed up soon after and we just left it to its own fate.

I watched sunset from the beach.  It was very red and left a lot of colorful clouds behind.

October 17, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and raised my flag. I noticed that the NCEX trailers had been rearranged.

I could see the white buoys that mark lobster traps.  I was very familiar with where they were.  It looked like my usual sand dollar swim distance.  I know it's about 200 meters off shore and the sandy bottom is 5 meters down.  I couldn't see them later in the day, since the angle of sunlight was no longer favorable.

I left about 5:30pm.  I could see the sun disappearing into the clouds about ten degrees above the horizon.

October 13, 2003: Black's Beach

I undressed immediately and set up my bulletin board. I then headed north to my usual spot beyond Valentine Slide and found that my friends had already raised our flag.

It was warm most of the time and even hot sometimes, but the sun never quite came out. So, I left about 3pm.

October 12, 2003: Black's Beach

I had a little trouble going from North Torrey Pines to Torrey Pines Scenic, due to a bike race that blocked traffic for a few seconds. 

I took a few pics of the Scripps relay station and set up my bulletin board.  Then I undressed and took more pics of the tide research setup, a sign in the surf and some mobile buildings that weren’t there two weeks ago.  They were on the south side of Valentine Slide.

Then I headed north to my usual spot North of Valentine Slide and raised my flags.  The tide had been high enough that most of the sand was either wet or packed hard.

I swam twice.  One time I made it to the san dollars.  I thought I swam far enough the second time, but I didn't see them.

I packed up about 6pm, but stopped at the trailhead to watch sunset.  I saw a green flash as one piece of the sun separated at an inversion layer.  Then I saw a green flash again just as the sun disappeared over the horizon.

September 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2003: Black's Beach

On my way down the trail Sunday the 21st, I saw a sign posted.  Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and went to see what it was about.  It was a sign advising that Scripps Institute would be conducting an experiment through December.  I've asked since then and learned that they are studying the relationship between wave action and sand movement.  There were several monitoring stations in the surf.

Monday the 22nd, Sunday the 28th and Monday the 29th there were three trucks and several people in wetsuits.  They were moving more monitoring stations out into the surf.  Most of the monitoring stations were posts standing in eight feet of water.  There were also a few tripods set up in the surf.  Sunday the 28th is when I first saw the relay station set up at the based of the Burro Trail.  It stands on four legs, includes several gray cases and an antenna aimed at Scripps Pier.

I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.  I set up for the picnic Sundays.  Sunday the 21st was the big picnic with The Naturist Society.  Dave brought fifteen people on a bus.  About fifteen others came from the gathering, using their own transportation.  Nicky Hoffman, Judi Ditzler, Bob Morton and Challes Harris were there, to name a few.

I kept busy making ice cream, Sunday the 21st.  I made four batches, two banana flavor, one blackberry and one mint and chip.

Others in my group managed the grill.  I know I ate some hot dogs, chicken and bites of steak.

Both Sundays I left about 6:30pm.  Monday the 22nd I left early, about 3pm.  Monday the 29th, I left about 6pm.

September 19 and 20, 2003: The Naturist Society Gathering at De Anza Springs Resort

Friday I arrived about 12pm and Saturday about 1pm.  I was greeted by friends, Dave Cole and Alan Baylis, before I could get to the office and pay my fees.  I parked an joined in discussions as quickly as I could.

I joined the "How to Get Published in N" discussion.  I listened to the "Creating a Naturist-Positive Environment" talk.  I led my "Chivalry is a Must" discussion.  And I had a few things to add to the "TNS Town Hall Meeting."

I got a free meal from Camping Bares then headed for the hot tub.  I saw a few bats during twilight, then headed home.

Sunday I listened to "A History of California Nude" then attended the "Naturist Group/Club Leadership Meeting."  I noticed some friends of mine doing the "Drumming and Basic Belly Dancing" presentation, but was busy with meetings.

At 3pm I did my "Status of Black's Beach" presentation with Dave Cole.  The discussion was still going strong way overtime, but I had to leave for a Spanish presentation with Claudia Kellersch.  Dave wrapped it up for me.

I was in on the balloon toss.  I teamed up with Ron Mercer, but we were both bad throws.  Some of our balloons wound up soaking people who were way out of bounds.  The prize was something like $80.

It was nearly dark when I realized I might manage to show Mars.  The club had a Dobsonian telescope in a rec room and I just happened to have and eyepiece with me.  I showed Mars to several people.

Then I went to the raffle and left shortly after.

September 12 and 14, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.

I swam out to the sand dollars both days, with buddies.  I'm not sure we made it Sunday, since we couldn't see the bottom.

I didn't stay for sunset either day, since it was cloudy.  I left about 6:30pm each day.

September 5, 6 and 7, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.

The sand was so hot it burned my feet.  I had to keep sandals available for walking anywhere besides wet sand.

I swam out to the reef a few times with buddies.  Two of us tried to make it down to the reef Sunday, but we didn't make it.  My goggles flooded about thirty feet under.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I watched the sunset all three days, and I saw a green flash each day.  Friday I watched from the trail, and the green flash was even a little bluish, aqua.  Saturday and Sunday I watched from the beach.

Saturday there was a domestic dispute near the trail after sunset.  There was a lot of shouting when I passed.  It seems the man hit the woman in the face after I'd passed.  I looked back and he was dragging her by one arm.  Several people gathered around and demanded he stop.  There were enough people around, so I left.  The police were called, but I'm told the couple left before they arrived, shouting at each other all the way up.  They left all their stuff on the beach and it was cleaned up the next day.

August 29, 31 & September 1, 2003

Friday I saw the best dolphin breach ever.  I saw one breach the water and do a flip.  At the same time another dolphin breached too.

I swam to the reef Sunday and Monday.  Sunday we didn't make it because we were off coarse, but we found it Monday.  Neither of us could make it down to the reef.  I found a bit of a rash on my back afterward.  I suspected that I'd come in contact with jellyfish pieces, so I had one of the guys apply rubbing alcohol.  I felt fine within the hour.

Sunday it was mostly overcast until about 5pm.  I left the beach after sunset.  There was enough ambient light to see the trail though.

Early Monday one of our members found a very good jellyfish specimen.  He put it on display next to our flag all day.

Monday I made ice cream.  The first batch was mint and chip, then vanilla and chocolate chip.  Finally I made a batch of banana flavor.

It was very overcast Monday.  I hardly saw my shadow all day.  I even left a little before sunset.

August 20, 23 & 24, 2003

I went to Black's three times last week, but I was too busy to post trip reports. Now I don't remember the details. I'll just share some highlights.

It was hot every day. I had to have sandals to walk on much of the hot sand.

Wednesday, it sprinkled around 6pm. That's about when I left.

The water was murky Saturday and Sunday, especially Saturday. Both days there was a lot of seaweed in the surf. I was in waist deep water and trudging through knee-deep seaweed. There was a lot of tiny seaweed bits in the surf too. Saturday there was a purple moss floating within an inch of the surface, as far as I could see.

Apparently somebody fell down the cliff and suffered a head injury Friday. I wasn't on the beach, but I saw it on the news. It happened very near Spencer Canyon, which lifeguards call Hully Gully. A helicopter was used in the rescue.

Saturday I left the beach about 6pm. Sometime after I left, a man died on the trail. One of my friends attempted artificial resuscitation until rescue workers arrived. He was not revived. A plaque thanking the lifeguards for their efforts was on the trail Sunday.

August 19, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.

The sand was so hot it burned my feet.  I had to keep sandals available for walking anywhere besides wet sand.

I swam out to the reef once with two buddies.  None of us even tried to make it down to the reef.  It was already plenty cold on the surface.

I packed and left the beach about 7:30pm.

August 17, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.

The flies were a problem until well into the afternoon.  They gave me no peace, even though there was a steady wind.

The sand was so hot it burned my feet.  I had to keep sandals available for walking anywhere besides wet sand.

I swam out to the reef once with four buddies.  None of us even tried to make it down to the reef.  It was already plenty cold on the surface.  I swam out to the sand dollars too.  I did manage to catch a few waves.

I packed and left the beach about 7:30pm.

August 12, 14 and 16, 2003: Black's Beach

I went to the beach all three days, but didn't find enough time to post trip reports.  Tuesday and Thursday were mostly uneventful.  Thursday the water was colder than usual.

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.  I raked seaweed away from my spot, to reduce fly problems and set up my stuff for the day.

The flies were a problem each day.  Saturday we couldn't even get rid of them by removing seaweed.  They gave me no peace until the wind picked up later in the afternoon.

The sand was so hot it burned my feet.  It was especially hot Saturday.  I had to keep sandals available for walking anywhere besides wet sand.

I went swimming a few times each day.  I swam out to the reef with buddies.  Saturday, as I surfaced near the reef marker, I saw a big splash.  My buddy didn't see what it was either, but we both believe a dolphin breached.  None of us were able to make it down to the reef.  I swam out to the sand dollars a few times each day too.

There were some big waves Thursday, but was unable to predict the best place to be to catch a ride.  I did manage to catch a few rides Saturday.

I watched sunset on the beach Saturday and left the parking lot about 8:30pm.  I don't recall when I left Tuesday and Thursday.

August 11, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I set up my bulletin board and undressed.  I headed north to my usual spot and raised my flag.  I raked seaweed away from my spot, to reduce fly problems and set up my stuff for the day.

I only went swimming once.  I swam out to the reef with a buddy.  She was able to see the reef, but couldn't reach it.  My goggles are dark, so I couldn't even see it.  Neither of us made it down to the reef.

I was pointing out what I thought might have been a seal.  It turned out to be a bird, but dolphins were spotted while we watched.  They rode a few waves and breached for a while.

I packed up and left about 6:30pm.

August 10, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I set up my bulletin board.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

I raised my club flag and helped in setting up for the picnic.  It was so hot and windless that I had to get in the water twice, just to cool off.

The flies were still a bit of a problem.  They swarmed every time somebody passed near the seaweed where they were feeding.  We raked the seaweed into piles and buried it.  There were a lot of jellyfish in the surf.  Several times we pulled pieces out of the surf with a rake and buried it to keep the kids from getting stung.  A member of our group did get stung by a jellyfish while on a swim.  She iced her leg and dabbed on rubbing alcohol.  In less than an hour she was fine.

I think I went swimming three times, only out to the sand dollars.  I got a group of ten people together, but I didn't have time to swim to the reef.  Some of the party went on to the reef, but most of us turned back

We made ice cream, two batches of mint and chip, one batch of vanilla and chip.  Cupcakes were also passed out to celebrate one of the kids' eighth birthday.  I was busy with the ice cream so I didn't notice all the hot food from the grill.  I did notice chicken, steaks, hot dogs, shish kabobs, sausages, salmon and bratwurst.

I was still packing when the sun set.  I watched for the green flash, but didn't see one.  I left the parking lot about 8:30pm.  The east lot was completely full and so was the street parking.  I even saw a limousine in the east lot.  There must have been a concert or something nearby.

August 7 and 9, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I set up my bulletin board.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.  I raised my club flag.

The flies were still a bit of a problem.  They swarmed every time somebody passed near the seaweed where they were feeding. People were getting stung by sting rays, two that I know of Thursday. A friend of mine got stung Friday.

I lost count of how many times I went swimming.  I swam to the sand dollars many times and to the reef once each day.  Saturday I found five other people who swam to the reef with me. None of us could make it down to the reef.  It was cold, dark and murky.

Thursday I left about 7pm and got stuck in traffic heading north.  It was nearly sunset when I packed and left Saturday.  I noticed the setting sun as I hiked up the trail.  I was barely 1/3 of the way up the trail when I stopped to watch sunset.  There was a green flash as the sun went over the horizon, and it even took an aqua color.

August 6, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I set up my bulletin board.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

The flies were still a bit of a problem.  They swarmed every time somebody passed near the seaweed where they were feeding.

I went swimming twice, both times with a buddy.  Before starting our first swim, I spotted a small shark in the shallow surf, about waist deep.  I think it was a leopard shark.  It was about five feet long and dark, but not a solid color.  We swam out to the reef and later swam only to the sand dollars.  We found the marker buoys without any problem, but couldn't make it down to the reef.  It was cold, dark and murky.

It was nearly sunset when I packed and left.  I noticed the setting sun as I hiked up the trail.  I made it to the top in time to see the actual setting of the sun.  We saw a green flash as the sun went over the horizon.

August 5, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  There was already a bulletin board, set up by a friend.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

The flies were still a bit of a problem.  They swarmed every time somebody passed near the seaweed where they were feeding.

I went swimming twice.  I didn't swim out to the sand dollars because the surf was too good to pass.  I caught one wave that held me six feet above the water.  It also gave me quite a tumble when it finally let me go.

I saw a lot of bat rays in the shallow surf late in the afternoon.

It was nearly sunset when I packed and left.  I noticed the setting sun as I hiked up the trail.  I made it to the top in time to see the actual setting of the sun.  Some of the sun was already below the horizon when I saw the top portion separating.  It turned into a red line of light and shortened.  Finally it was a point of light that flashed green.  I could see another layer in the atmosphere cutting the sun in two.  As the sun went lower, it gave a repeat performance and we saw a second green flash.  We saw yet another green flash as the sun went over the horizon, three green flashes in one sunset.  Walking toward my car, I saw the first quarter moon near the meridian.

August 2 and 3, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I set up my bulletin board and headed north to my usual spot.  I joined a few friends already there ahead of me.  Sunday we set up for the picnic.

The flies were bad Friday and Saturday, and nearly as bad Sunday.  It was surprising, since we'd already removed the seaweed where they thrive.  I found that they land on dark things, probably because they can hide there.  I placed my dark stuff a little away and people left it alone because they didn't want to stir up the swarm.

I went swimming three times each day, several times with buddies.  I swam out to the sand dollars a few times.  I found and returned with a starfish.  Sunday I swam with five other swimmers to the reef.  We found the markers on the surface, but none of us could make it down to the reef.  It was very cold ten feet down and deeper.  I caught a few good rides on my way back to shore.  I even caught one wave that gave me more tumble than ride.

Some of the hot food from the grill Sunday included: sweet corn, egg plant, salmon, shark, hot dogs, steaks, jerked chicken and kabobs.  There was also some watermelon and fruit kabobs.

I stayed on the beach until sunset both days.  Clouds obscured the sun until it was very near the horizon.  The sun showed itself both evenings in a half degree window at the horizon.  There was a narrow cloud in the middle of the window and the sun was very red.  Saturday I could see the waxing crescent moon high in the sky as I started up the trail.  It was nearly 8pm when I left the parking lot.

August 1, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I set up my bulletin board and headed north to my usual spot.  I joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

The flies were pretty bad, even though we'd removed most of the seaweed.

I stayed on the beach until nearly sunset.  It was nearly 8pm when I left the parking lot.

July 31, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I immediately undressed.  I didn't have to set up my bulletin board because a friend had already set one up.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

I spent the day swimming, and getting my mailing list out.  Some of my subscribers just might find sand in their envelope.

I stayed on the beach until nearly sunset.  I was well on my way up the trail when I saw the sun in a gap between the clouds and the horizon.  The gap was only about a half degree wide, so I could just barely see the entire sun in the gap.  I saw a deep red sun pass through that gap as I hiked up the trail.  It was nearly 8pm when I left the parking lot.

July 30, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I put on sandals immediately.  The sand was very hot.  I walked toward the water and undressed on cooler sand.  I headed north to my usual spot and joined a few friends already there ahead of me.

I saw one kids hobbling back to the beach with the help of two friends.  He'd been stung by a stingray.  He didn't treat it properly and he suffered more for it.  He didn't want to follow my advice and bury his foot in hot sand, not until the lifeguards arrived and told him the same.  He was too much of a baby to move to an area with hotter sand.  He sat there and suffered until he was so pitiful that the lifeguards gave him a ride at the end of the day.

There were clouds all around, but they rarely blocked the sun.  Late in the day it was sprinkling and we could hear thunder.  About 7pm the sun disappeared into a cloud bank.

About 7:30 I was starting to feel cold, and thinking that the best view of sunset was over.  I packed and headed for the trail.  A few times on my way to the trail and up the trail, the sky demonstrated that it wasn't done showing a beautiful sunset.  The sun descended below a layer of clouds and bathed them in a rich red light.  I stopped a few times and took a few pictures.  The whole time I was afraid my batteries would die before I could take one more picture.

July 27, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I undressed and headed north to my usual spot.  I joined the crew and started setting up for our picnic.

People were slow to arrive because it was obvious that it was not sunny.  We did get a good showing for the picnic and there was a good variety of hot food from the grill.  There were hot dogs, chicken, shrimp, salmon, sweet corn, zucchini and squash.

After my second swim, I couldn't warm up, so I put on a shirt for a while.  I left about 8pm.

July 26, 2003: Black's Beach

Upon reaching the beach I undressed and headed north to my usual spot.  It was a very uneventful day and it was even beginning to get cold.  Most of my friends left about 4pm.  I stayed until 5pm.

July 24 and 25, 2003: Black's Beach

Thursday I headed north to my usual spot, but Friday and went south and chose a spot near the boundary.  I counted 180 paces from the Burro Trail to the boundary markers.  The lifeguards had done a few things to draw attention to the boundary markers.  They left deep, circular tire tracks just above the surf line and straight tracks leading to the markers near the cliffs.

For some reason most of the people were between the Burro Trail and Spencer canyon both days.  Although there may have been a lot more people way to the north, beyond my sight.

Both days I stayed until about 7pm.  Thursday the sky clouded up about 6pm and Friday the sky cleared about 6pm.

July 23, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed as soon as I reached the beach.  I then headed for my usual spot to the north.

A few of my friends were there ahead of me and a few arrived later.  I left about 6:30pm and hit an unusual amount of traffic.  Apparently, it had something to do with opening day at Del Mar.

July 21, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and considered not hiking down.  I finally decided to hiked down the Burro Trail.  I set up my bulletin board, undressed and headed north to my usual spot.  I found that my friends were thinking of leaving and we all left about 4pm.

July 20, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and hiked down the Burro Trail.  I was wearing a heavier than usual back pack, so I headed for my usual spot without stopping to undress.

I arrived at our picnic grounds and joined the crew.  We set up the grill and table, raised the flags, raked the seaweed and set up our bocce can court.

I was ready to go meet some expected friends en route when I saw a couple taking pictures of a snowy egret.  I was jealous that they'd gotten so close without scaring it away.  I picked up my camera and approached.  I approached from behind the couple so the egret didn't think it was being surrounded.  I got a few good pictures.

I went for my first swim and saw a cormorant ahead of me.  I took two pictures, but it will be a while before develop that roll. 

I made ice cream while others managed the grill.  There were people eating hot dogs, hamburgers, zucchini, squash, sausages, chicken, shish kabobs and pork ribs.  I made banana ice cream then blueberry later.  We had enough dry ice left over to make our volcano smoke.

Late in the day we saw a seal breaching beyond the surf.  I stayed for sunset, but didn't actually see it.  I was leaving the parking lot about 8:30pm.  Both gates were still open.

July 19, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and hiked down the Burro Trail.  There was a new sign posted at the trail head.  It was a no dogs sign.  I later learned the city lifeguards had put that up minutes before I arrived and the Nudity Prohibited sign at the boundary had been replaced.

I took off my pants immediately, but kept my shirt on until I could take off my backpack.  As I arrived at my usual spot, there was a boat flying a dive flag near the artificial reef.  I could see two divers entering the water.  I figured if I started swimming soon, I could reach the boat about the time they'd surface.

I got out my swimming gear and headed for the boat.  I got there and they were still underwater.  With my head in the water I could hear the fish, so I knew I was very close to the reef.  One diver soon surfaced, and soon after that the other.  We talked a little and I swam down to the reef.  I was getting cold, so I headed back to shore.

Before my last swim, friends had spotted dolphins, but I didn't see them.  During my swim I could see the splashes of little fish leaping out of the water, and I could hear the dolphins plainly.  I saw a fin southwest of me then northeast.  I swam with my camera ready, but I didn't see the dolphin again.

I watched sunset from the beach.  First it disappeared behind some clouds about five degrees above the horizon.  At the same time I could see a red line of light on the water below the sun.  The red sun soon emerged between some clouds.  Then it disappeared into clouds about one degree above the horizon, briefly leaving a green line of light at the top edge of the cloud. 

I left the parking lot 8:30pm.  Both gates were still open.

July 14, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and hiked down the Burro Trail.  I took off my pants immediately, but kept my shirt on until I could take off my backpack.

I saw lifeguards respond to three or four people stuck in a rip current.  He went out with a long board and brought them all back.

There was a seal in the surf.  It was very small, perhaps a lost pup.  It passed my group, heading south.  It started to come out, onto the beach, but then saw all the people and turned back to the water.

I packed up and left the parking lot 8:30pm.  Both gates were still open.

July 13, 2003: Black's Beach

I parked at the gliderport and hiked down the Burro Trail.  The beach was littered with  seaweed.  I took off my pants immediately, but kept my shirt on the insulate my shoulders from the abrasive shoulder straps of my backpack.

I started setting up for the picnic.  Today that meant cleaning the seaweed off the beach.  Four of us spent a few hours raking and burying seaweed.  The larger piles were dragged out to the surf and released in a rip current, which took it away.

There were perhaps a hundred people at our picnic.  That included a few families with kids.  We served hamburgers, hot dogs, Whitecastle, fish, zucchini, squash, sweet corn and chicken.

I packed up and left the parking lot 8pm.

July 12, 2003: San Onofre

I met other members of my party in the parking lot.  We figured out what we needed to carry, divided the load and hiked down Trail 6.

There were only a few people on the beach, but they were evenly spread across the beachfront.  There was no way for us to get beachfront without crowding somebody.  We set up our umbrellas and laid out our sheets.

A few people approached us looking for Camping Bares and Southern California Naturist Association.  We told them they were in the right place.

Alan Baylis, of Friends of San Onofre Beach,  and Ron Mercer, of Deep Creek Volunteers, showed up soon.  We all passed around our literature and issued invitations to the picnic.

There was a couple very interested in something near the trail, so Ron and Alan went back to check it out.  Those of us still on the beach could see they were trying to catch something.  We walked over just in time to see Ron picking up a huge bull snake.  It was only about six feet long, but it had about a two inch diameter.  At the time I thought it was a gopher snake, but the thickness tells me it was a bull snake.

I managed to find the only piece of tar on the beach.  I removed it from the bottom of my foot with an adhesive tape remover.

My friends managed the grill and I took care of the ice cream making.  That means I found other people willing to do the work of cranking.  I made one batch of raspberry and one batch of banana.  From the grill, I ate squash, zucchini, steak and hot dogs.  The picnic wound down by about 5pm.

I left about 7pm, even though it was still sunny and warm.

July 11, 2003: Black's Beach