You will find trip reports by Lloyd Johnson here.  The most recent reports are at the top.  Gaps in coverage sometimes indicate bad weather.

December 4, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I expected it to be cold, so I set up a reflector for myself and a few friends.  They proved useful from about 2-3pm when the wind picked up.  We also set up wind breaks.  They did extend our stay, but we all left early.

I went swimming twice, once just past the waves and back, the other out to the sand dollars.  I caught a few waves, without too much trouble.

The wind cooled us a little too much and we all left just before sunset.

November 28, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

The tide had come the highest since last spring, so the only dry sand was closer to the cliff.  I claimed the same spot of dry sand as the day before and other friends joined me later.  I expected it to be cold, so I set up a reflector for after swimming.

I went swimming once just to the sand dollars and back.

It was cooling off about 3:30 pm, so I packed and left.

November 27, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

The tide had come the highest since last spring, so the only dry sand was closer to the cliff.  I joined my friends who were already occupying a small patch of dry sand.  I expected it to be cold, so I set up reflectors for after swimming.

I went swimming twice.  It was a struggle to fight my way through the surf.  The waves were big with a short interval in between, giving me little time to advance beyond. I didn't find the sand dollars.  I don't know if I swam past them without noticing, or didn't reach them.  It was murky at the bottom  The surf was pretty good and I caught a few rides, sometimes sending me into a tumble.  I emerged far to the south both times.

At about 3:30pm I realized it wasn't going to warm up enough for me, so I put on a fleece shirt and started packing.

Claudia gave us a scare.  She was last seen going for a swim and was now considered overdue.  It is not unusual for her to go for a long swim late in the day, and go way out.  It is also not unusual for her to go for a walk to Mussel Rocks.  We had the lifeguards searching the water for a while, one standing on top of the truck with binoculars, one going out on a longboard and two arriving by jetski.  It turned out that she'd gone for a walk.

I finished packing and saw sunset from the trailhead.

November 25, 2005: Scuba Trip to Black's Beach

I parked at Bonito Cove in Mission Bay and boarded a 27' sailboat at about 10:30am.  We refueled in Quivira Basin and we were en route by 11am.  The weather was a mixture of clouds and sun.  It took us three hours and we arrived about 2pm.  We could see very few people on the beach, maybe two dozen.  I could make out that there was a volleyball game in progress.

We anchored just west of the reef, based on all the marker buoys for lobster traps.  It was about 3pm when we started our dive.  We began our dive about twenty feet south of the markers.  We went down and didn't find it.  We surfaced and found ourselves about fifty feet east of the markers.  We swam to the center of the markers and tried again.  We circled the reef once and then some.

There were many fish, including, garibaldi, kelp bass, chubs, senoritas and California sheephead.  I also saw lobster, starfish and keyhole limpets.

We began our return before sunset and watch sunset while underway.  We returned to Shelter Island about 10pm.

November 21, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming twice, both times to the sand dollars.  The surf was pretty good and I caught a few rides, sometimes sending me into a tumble.

At about 3pm some clouds began to obscure the sun and it cooled off.  I packed up and left about 4:30, watching sunset from the trail head.  It was a long, lingering sunset.  There were a lot of clouds in the west making it colorful.  The sun slowly went below the horizon, leaving a red line that slowly got shorter and disappeared.  I saw Venus in the twilight and Mars in the east, as soon as I reached the parking lot.

November 20, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming three times, twice to the sand dollars.  The surf was pretty good and I caught a few rides, sometimes sending me into a tumble.  I saw dolphins in the distance, but they never came close.  During two separate swims I spotted a leopard seal.  During my second encounter, it swam toward me and I got a few video clips.

Some friends tried kayaking from La Jolla Shores.  A wave wiped them out as they tried to make it to shore.  Two other friends took the kayak out for a ride and they spilled it twice in the surf.

At about 3pm some clouds began to obscure the sun and it cooled off.  I put on a fleece shirt for a while.

I left the beach before sunset, about 4pm.

November 19, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming three times, each time to the sand dollars.  The surf was pretty good and I caught a ride or two.

I stopped at the trail head to watch sunset, then hiked up in twilight.

November 18, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming twice, both time to the sand dollars.  There were small birds in the water, looking very much like grebes.  On one swim I actually crossed paths with one underwater.  It was poking around on the bottom with its' bill, probably trying to find shell fish under the sand.

I saw sunset while heading to the trail, then hiked up in the dark.  I could see Venus in the west and Mars in the east, once I reached the parking lot.

November 13, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming about12:00.  While out in the water, I saw a fog rolling in.  I decided that I should head for shore before I lose track of directions.

It cooled off dramatically and I put on my fleece shirt for a while.  I gave up and left about 2pm.

November 12, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming twice.  Both times a swam out to the sand dollars.

I was feeling cold about 3pm and left.

November 5, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I was feeling cold about 3pm and left.

October 30, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I was feeling cold about 3pm and left.

October 29, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I was feeling cold about 4pm and left.

October 28, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I was feeling cold about 4pm, but toughed it out a little to avoid traffic.  I took my time going up the trail.  Once at the top, I spotted islands off-shore.

October 3, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming twice, once with buddies.  I saw a jellyfish tumbling on the bottom.  It looked dead.   I caught a few good waves too.  I was shot out the face a few times.

I was feeling cold about 5pm, packed up and headed for the trail.  I left the parking lot a little before 6pm.

October 2, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  I saw a few hermit crabs.   I caught a few good waves too.

I hiked up the trail and left the parking lot about 6pm.

October 1, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  I heard dolphins but didn't see them while I was in the water.  I caught a few good waves too.

It got cloudy right before sunset.  I hiked up the trail in twilight and left the parking lot about 7:30pm.

September 25, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  I heard dolphins but didn't see them while I was in the water.  I caught a few good waves too.

I watched sunset from my spot on the beach.  The green flash was plainly visible.  I left the parking lot about 8:30pm.

September 19, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  I heard dolphins but didn't see them while I was in the water.  I caught a few good waves too.

I started packing before the rain started and there was a light sprinkle as I hiked to the parking.  I left the parking lot about 5:30pm.

September 18, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  I heard dolphins but didn't see them while I was in the water.  I caught a few good waves too.

I left the parking lot about 7pm.

September 11, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.  We flew the American Flag at half mast, in memory of the September 11 attack.

I went swimming three times.  I heard dolphins but didn't see them while I was in the water.  I caught a few good waves too.

I left the parking lot about 7pm.

September 5, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming twice.  One time I got close enough to a leopard seal to see the spots on its' face.  The waves were good for body surfing

I watched sunset from my spot on the beach.  It was a spectacular green flash.  I saw it turn a turquoise color before turning green and fading.  I was still there when Venus and Jupiter showed themselves low in the western sky.  I left the parking lot just before 8pm.  The guard was waiting to lock the gate.

September 4, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I watched sunset from my spot on the beach.  I was still there when Venus and Jupiter showed themselves low in the western sky.  I left the parking lot just before 8pm.  The guard was waiting to lock the gate.

September 3, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming twice, once to the sand dollars, both times with a buddy.  The second time I turned back because I heard dolphins and I was hoping for another close encounter.

I watched sunset from my spot on the beach.  I was still there when Venus and Jupiter showed themselves low in the western sky.  I left the parking lot just before 8pm.  The guard was waiting to lock the gate.

September 2, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went for a few swims to the sand dollars, once with a buddy.

I left the parking lot about 7pm.

August 28, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I could see fishing boats spreading and gathering their nets, probably catching sardines.

I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming four times, twice to the sand dollars.  I caught two very good rides.  Both times I was shot out in front of the wave.  I had my best dolphin encounter ever.  I was heading out for a sand dollar swim and I saw three dolphins riding a wave and coming straight at me.  I went under water to watch and brace myself in case they hit me.  All three turned quickly, two of them heading south.  The third dolphin turned and headed north, passing so close to me I could have reached out and touched it.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to reach for my camera.

The picnic went well with nearly fifty people joining us.  Much of the usual food was shared: hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, sweet corn, salmon and chicken. 

I watched sunset from my spot on the beach.  I was still there when Venus and Jupiter showed themselves low in the western sky.  I left the parking lot about 8:15pm.  The gate was already locked, so I used the other exit.

August 27, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went for a few swims to the sand dollars, once with four buddies.

I left the parking lot about 7:30pm.

August 21, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail carrying my ice cream making kit.  I didn't stop at the trailhead to undress.  There was already a bulleting board set up, so I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went for an early swim with Kathy, Blair and Claudia.  We swam out to about where the reef is, but didn't find it.  The water was a bit colder than I was used to, so I swam back in a hurry.  Then I tried to warm up at the grill.

About 3pm the sun came out and I started making ice cream.  I made three batches and passed it all out.  We used the extra dry ice to make a volcano smolder.

I left the parking lot about 9pm.

August 13, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went for one swim to the sand dollars.  I could actually see them in rather shallow water for the first time in a long time.  I found them under ten feet of water.  Usually I find them at twelve and fifteen foot depths.  They were not standing up in the sand, but laying flat.

I entered the surf competition.  We held the surfing and body boarding competition.  Awards were given in five categories.  I won for best wipeout.  You can't wipe out unless you've already stood up, so that's a personal best for me.  The water wasn't very warm and the wind chill cooled us even more, so nobody was motivated to do the body boarding.  People played volleyball instead. 

I left the parking lot about 7pm.

August 7, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

The picnic went well.  People were cooking bratwurst, hot dogs, chicken, sweet corn, salmon, carne asada, banana and pineapple.

I didn't go swimming, but I did go out surfing three times.  I actually managed to get up on the board a few times.  A fisherman reeled in two bat rays and left them on the beach.  By the time I saw them, they had already been killed by seagulls.  I took pictures showing the barb.

I left the parking lot about 8pm.  The guard was waiting to lock the gate.

August 6, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I didn't go swimming, but I did go out surfing twice.  I actually managed to get up on the board a few times.

I packed up and left for the trail about 6:30pm.

August 3, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  Visibility was better in some places than in others, due to red tide.  There were jellyfish in the surf, some whole and some in pieces.  I got up close with one and video taped it for a while.

I packed up and left for the trail about 6pm.

July 31, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming once, and body boarding too.  Visibility was better in some places than in others.  There were jellyfish in the surf, some whole and some in pieces.

The picnic went well.  We shared chicken, sweet corn, shish kabobs, hot dogs, bratwurst, squash, pineapple and chocolate banana.  People played volleyball at our court, used our sand castle molds and borrowed our body boards.  Some kids were squirrel fishing, but I didn't see them catch any.

I packed up and left for the trail about 7pm.

July 30, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming a few times, and I even tried surfing.  Visibility was better in some places than in others.  There were jellyfish in the surf, some whole and some in pieces.  A guitar fish swam very close to me.  I had never seen one so curious or far from the bottom.  The water was about seven or eight feet deep and it came nearly to the surface.  I got a good video of it.  I'll find a frame to post soon.

I packed up and left for the trail about 7pm.

July 27, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming twice.  There were areas in the water where fish were leaping out again.  Dolphins swam past me a few times, probably trying to feed on the fish.

It cooled off and the temperature was perfect for napping.  I fell asleep and woke to find all my friends asleep too.  About 4pm it cooled nearly enough to put on a shirt.

I packed up and left for the trail about 5pm and I was in the parking lot by 5:30.  I decided to kill some time and wait for traffic to thin.  I left the lot about 6:15.

July 25, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming three times.  One time I saw a dark spot in knee-deep water.  It turned out to be a dense school of fish.  I swam out to nearly a twenty foot depth.  There were areas in the water where fish were leaping out.  I didn't see the fish, only the splashing.  Seagulls swooped down trying to eat some.

I started up the trail about 7pm.  There was a rattle snake crawling up the trail.  It went under the J bridge and we didn't see it again.  The horizon looked sharp much of the day, but it was a hazy sunset.  The main gate was locked, so I used the other exit.

July 24, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

We had two grills going to feed about 80 people in the vicinity.  I recall seeing hot dogs, turkey burgers, carne asada, chicken, sweet corn, carrots, mushrooms and bananas.

I went swimming three times.  One time I swam nearly to the reef, with buddies.  One swimmer was tired, so we turned back.

The sun went behind some clouds and even set before I started up the trail.  The gate was locked, so I followed what appeared to be a caravan leading to the other exit.

July 23, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming twice.  I swam out to about a twelve foot depth.  I only saw guitar fish and a bat ray. I called in a cliff rescue about 2:30.  It looked like a hang-glider was taking off.  I heard a noise and turned to see him going straight down.  He tumbled a few times and broke his hang-glider.  That probably absorbed most of the impact and saved his life.  We all watched Life-flight take him away.

I left about 7pm.  There was a train of runners going up the trail, each wearing a hat with horns.  I knew it was the drinking club with a running problem, Hash House Harriers.  There were having some sort of party at the top.  I watched sunset from a spot just south of the gliderport.  The image of the sun would separate at inversion layers and I could see pale green spots each time the line of red sun shortened to a spot.  It's hard to call them green flashes, but I did see the green three times.

July 22, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming at least four times, just out to the sand dollars.  I only found a few sand dollars though.  I saw the splashing again and managed to take some video of a school of fish nearby.  They had to be grunion. There were bits and pieces of jellyfish in the surf.  I saw pieces of the purple jellyfish and also a reddish brown jellyfish not in my books.

I left about 7pm.  There was a train of runners going up the trail, each wearing a hat with horns.  I knew it was the drinking club with a running problem, Hash House Harriers.  There were having some sort of party at the top.  I watched sunset from a spot just south of the gliderport.  The image of the sun would separate at inversion layers and I could see pale green spots each time the line of red sun shortened to a spot.  It's hard to call them green flashes, but I did see the green three times.

July 21, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming three times, just out to the sand dollars.  I couldn't find the sand dollar though.  They've been missing since red tide.  Maybe it killed them off.

There were bits and pieces of jellyfish in the surf.  I saw pieces of the purple jellyfish and also a reddish brown jellyfish not in my books.

I left about 7pm.

July 20, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming three times, once to the reef.  I didn't find the reef, but I was near it.  There's no marker this year.  My triangulation says I was close.  I could hear the fish.  I swam down, but visibility was poor.  I checked my dive watch later and I was deep enough.  We must have been off just a little bit.  During one of my shorter swims I heard a sound like someone was pouring gravel into the water.  I didn't see the fish, but I did see the splashing.  I think they must have been grunion.

It was sprinkling when I returned from that swim so I hurriedly packed and left.  That was a mistake.  I got caught in really bad traffic.  I must make it a point to never leave the beach between 3-6pm.  There just too much traffic on North Torrey Pines.  It's difficult getting to the freeway.

July 17, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and stocked up the bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I spent a lot of time in the water on lifeguard duty and finally managed to go for one swim.  I only swam out and caught some of the big waves.

I was getting cold, so I put a shirt on about 5pm.  I left the beach about 7pm.

July 16, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 11am	street parking: plenty gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	incomplete construction, crooked staircases
Climate	hot and sunny with a cool wind and occasional clouds, wind from west
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball, horseshoes
Water	surf: 8' curl tide: It rose until about 5:30pm. temperature: 72º current: hardly any visibility: about 8'
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, heermann's gulls, western gulls, squirrels, dolphins, jellyfish
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in white jeeps and a jetski.  There was also one on the perch at the top of the cliff.

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming several times, most times with buddies.  I came fairly close to dolphins twice.  I didn't find many sand dollars, although I'm sure I swam far enough.  One time we were bound for the reef, but we didn't make it.  On one of my deep dives I saw a bright orange object below.  I thought it was a garibaldi, but it turned out to be a jellyfish.  One of our swimmers was tired and we turned back.  We had to tow him a little and I waved to the lifeguard on the perch.  A few minutes later a lifeguard showed up on the jetski and took him to shore.

It was still warm when I left at 6pm.

July 12, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 10:30am	street parking: full gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	incomplete construction, crooked staircases
Climate	overcast and warm, wind from west
People	maybe a hundred
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball
Water	surf: 6' curl tide: It didn't change much. temperature: 70º current: hardly any visibility: about 8'
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, heermann's gulls, western gulls, squirrels, snowy egret, terns, dolphins, jellyfish
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city and state lifeguards in white jeeps and a harbor patrol boat off-shore

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flag.

I went swimming twice and dolphins came fairly close.  There was a reddish brown jellyfish in the surf.  I kept my distance and took a few pictures.

It was still warm when I left at 5pm.  I should have stayed later.  I got stuck in traffic for at least 30 minutes trying to get to the freeway ramp at La Jolla Village Drive.

July 9, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 12pm	street parking: plenty gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	under repair, still a few crooked staircases
Climate	hot and sunny early, cloudy and cooling starting about 2pm, wind from west
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball, horseshoes, Frisbee
Water	surf: 4' curl tide: It didn't change much. temperature: 70º current: carried me north visibility: about 5'
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, western gulls, squirrels
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in a white jeep.

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and stocked a bulletin board already set up.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide where our flags were already flying.  I was surprised to see a grill set up.

I took a swim about 1pm just as the surf competition was getting a late start.  Red tide was gone and I could see a fair distance.

I participated in the surf competition, first body surfing, then surfing and finally body boarding.  The judges didn't notice much of what I did.  They didn't even see me getting up on the board.  I guess they blinked.  They only chose winners in the surfing competition, but the winners didn't seem to know they won.  It was highly disorganized and served as a learning experience for next time.  For one thing, it was decided that 11am is too early to begin.

The grill was to feed the competitors.  I had a hamburger, but there were also hot dogs.

By about 5pm I had to put on a shirt.  I left about 6pm.

July 4, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 10am	street parking: plenty gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	under repair, still a few crooked staircases
Climate	hot and sunny, wind from west
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball, horseshoes, Frisbee
Water	surf: 4' curl tide: It didn't change much. temperature: I didn't measure it. current: hardly any visibility: I didn't go swimming.
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, western gulls, squirrels
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in a white jeep.

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

We had two grills going.  We shared a variety of hot foods including hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, sweet corn, salmon, chicken and zucchini.  I made two batches of ice cream, both of them banana with white chocolate chips.

I spent a lot of time in the water, but I didn't go swimming.

It was cooling off when I left at 7pm.

July 3, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 11am	street parking: plenty gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	under repair, still a few crooked staircases
Climate	hot and sunny at first, overcast and warm later, wind from west
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball, horseshoes, Frisbee
Water	surf: 4' curl tide: It didn't change much. temperature: I didn't measure it. current: hardly any visibility: I didn't go swimming.
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, western gulls, squirrels
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in a white jeep and rangers.

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

We had two grills going.  We shared a variety of hot foods including hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, sweet corn, salmon, chicken and zucchini.

I spent a lot of time in the water, but I didn't go swimming.

It was cooling off when I left at 7pm.

July 2, 2005: Black's Beach

Parking at 11am	street parking: plenty gliderport: wide rut, clearance problem, deep sand in places, few spaces
Visibility	I could barely see the smokestack in Oceanside.
Burro Trail	under repair, still a few crooked staircases
Climate	hot and sunny at first, overcast and warm later, wind from west
People	hundreds
Activities Observed	swimming, surfing, body surfing, hang gliding, paragliding, RC gliding, volleyball, horseshoes, Frisbee
Water	surf: 4' curl tide: It didn't change much. temperature: 64º current: hardly any visibility: about 8 until red tide came in
Wildlife Observed	ravens, pelicans, western gulls, squirrels, osprey
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in a white jeep and one on a jetski.

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming to the sand dollars once.  The water was clear, but red tide rolled in later.

It was cooling off when I left at 7pm.

June 26, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming once, but the red tide still takes all the fun out of it.  I'm sure I didn't make it out to the sand dollars.

It was still warm when I watched sunset from the trailhead.  There was a bit of a green flash.

June 25, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming once.  I'm sure I didn't make it out to the sand dollars.

It was still sunny when I left about 7pm.  I took some sea water home and shook it up in a dark room.  I managed to get a brief blue glow when I shook it hard enough.

June 23, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

It was still sunny when I left about 7pm.

June 18, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail.  I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I went swimming once, but the red tide still takes all the fun out of it.  I'm sure I didn't make it out to the sand dollars.

It was still sunny when I left about 6pm.

June 17, 2005: Black's Beach

There was an injured dog at the base of the Burro Trail.  I flagged down the lifeguards and gave her some water.  Later I noticed they used a stretcher to carry her into their camper.

I undressed at the trailhead and set up my bulletin board.  Then I headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide and raised my flags.

I saw an osprey make a kill.  A little later I saw two ravens chasing a hawk.  I didn't notice it at the time, but I think the hawk has a squirrel in one talon. I went swimming once, but the red tide took all the fun out of it.  The water was a reddish brown color and visibility was very poor.  It was very dark at the bottom and I could barely see anything.  I'm sure I didn't make it out to the sand dollars. It was cloudy and cooling, when I left about 7pm.

June 12, 2005: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail and undressed at the trailhead.  I set up my bulletin board, then headed north to my usual spot near Valentine Slide.  I raised my flag there.

I wore fleece much of the time, since it wasn't warm enough to be nude.  I left about 6pm.

June 7, 2005: Black's Beach