Memorial Day Weekend Begins at Oceanside Pier

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_107b92f2-5aa5-57c4-97c1-2301e9cb4c8f.html

The pier was busy Friday afternoon with beachgoers flocking to the pier for a head start on the weekend. But wait, "Why does everybody have to bring their ugly dogs with them to the beach?"

There were so many dogs on the strand and the sidewalks, and the rude people who have to bring their dogs on the sand (NOT ALLOWED) that I was ready to - well... nothing - but I didn't like it.

Keep your dogs at home please.

The water was very rough out past the breakers and my swim was a butt kicker. Rough chop made it hard to breathe without swallowing water.

Oceanside CA Pier Swim

No pictures today but I swam around the pier after work today. No wet suit needed. I did wear the fins. A nice, relaxing swim in pretty clean green/blue water out past the breakers. Surf was good, about 3-4 feet, good shape. About two dozen surfers stretched out along the pier area, north and south. Plenty of room to find a wave today. More beachgoers than usual this afternoon. I suppose people are gearing up for the Memorial Day weekend.

Camp Pendleton Swimmer Feared Drowned Update

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/may/20/sailor-feared-drowned-search-now-recovery-effort/

I found this update and identity of the sailor who apparently drowned last Thursday afternoon while swimming on base. He was a Navy Corpsman.

Camp Pendleton Missing Swimmer Update

http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=joshua+yeckering&init=quick&tas=0.510828151586938#!/DocYeck

Here's a link to Facebook page of missing corpsman. If you are from the Doc's area and want to see the water and the beach where he was swimming, I have lots of pictures on my blog because I swim there often.

Another press link:

http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/05/23/former-govs-cross-country-runner-reported-lost-at-sea/#more-77539

The Pier Gets Sleazier

I went with a swim buddy first after work to the beach on Camp Pendleton but we were not allowed in the water. Well, check that; we would have been allowed only as far as the surf zone, not past. They have clamped down on safety because of the drowning five days ago on this beach on base. Better safe than sorry for the time being.

So, I went to the Oceanside Pier to swim it and I think every time that I drive to/through downtown Oceanside and the beach and Pier area (both above and below), the more homeless, drug addicts, thugs, tattooed covered gang members or wannabees, etcetera I observe. Today it really bothered me after I got out of the water. My swim was nice, the water was warm, a bit rough, and pretty good-sized waves. I'm walking back under the pier on the sidewalk and little street and I get yelled at by some jerk going way too fast on a bicycle in this pedestrian area. He tells me to watch where I'm walking; I'm the guy in the walking around area under the pier, not in the midst of a bicycle raceway.

The drug addicts look young and pathetic-rings in the noses, filthy, acting overly loud and seemingly trying to annoy those people just trying to enjoy the beach peacefully.

The same homeless bums are always there. They have their usual spots. Why did they build that big Wyndham hotel there for the bums to linger around and creep out the locals and the visitors?

Can we get the police to run off the bad element down there? The police show a presence but they don't seem to do anything. I'm just bummed out today after a nice swim turned sour because of the creeps that one has to pass through going to one's car and driving in and out.