VA Health Care, Oceanside, CA Clinic

You ever wonder why I come up with weird  titles for my posts?  Well, I realized that I get more hits to my blog because the title of the blog post is part of what shows up out there on the web.  If a person types in "VA Oceanside," my blog may show up.
Today, I had a day off to go to the beautiful, new VA, out-patient clinic in Oceanside, CA.  The VA has improved so much that I prefer it to my private doctor/HMO.
Surfline.com has the water temp at 58-60.  I'd agree.  58 at the cold spots and 60 at the warm spots.
A 28 minute swim around the pier without fins today.  Sloppy water, a one-foot chop the entire swim.  Clouds overhead, sun blocked out, grayish water at the surface.  Current mild to the south.  Under the surface the water appeared greenish-blue, with visibility about 7 feet.
I felt like I was so slow today with the washing machine water.  The chop made it difficult to breathe.
Afterward, I collected seashells for a while.  A nice day off.


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Beach Condos, Oceanside, CA

Pictures 10, 11, 12, and 13 show the tops of the condos on "The Strand" that are just across the street from the water at the Pier.  I parked at the meter on Pacific Street, which overlooks these condos.  And there are two of these for sale right now for $750K, and $430/month HOA fees.  I just looked at the listings: 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, right on the water, beautiful, swimming pool and jacuzzis, locked premises, and more.  Would I like to live there?  You guess.
As much as I love this beach area, if I did have the extra money, I don't know that I'd be happy living there.  But, if you want to be in the action and people watch, or live there part-time and use it as a vacation rental, this may be for you.
If you go up The Strand north about half a mile, there is a gigantic condo complex where you can buy an older 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo that sits farther away from the sand and has a limited water view for about $400K with $495/month HOA fees.  It's a smaller condo, not nearly as fancy, in what the general population would feel is a less popular part of the beach. 
Why am I writing about beach real estate?  Who knows.  Just thought someone might be curious about the price of a condo here.
Picture number five shows 4 teens doing some swim/run/water skills testing for the Oceanside Lifeguards this afternoon.  Good for them.  We are fortunate to have excellent lifeguards here. 
The water was cold, not frigid. Surfline.com has it at 57-59.  That seems accurate.  I swam out for a pier swim north to south.  Gray-blue, flat, rippled water with no noticeable current.  No sea life seen.  I was kinda' looking forward to seeing something today after the whales here 2 days ago.
Small waves, 1-3 feet with good shape on the south side.  About 2 dozen surfers enjoying it.  Lots of beachgoers and even a number of people in the water-I'd guess 3 dozen hardy souls in the water playing.  It was a very nice beach day.
I took a picture of the empty Oceanside Amphitheater under the pier.  They hold the Oceanside High School Graduation there annually.  That's pretty neat.
No events today, which was nice-a mellow atmosphere. 

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Oh, No. North County Times Bad News Article Link. More Stuff Crowded into the Pier Area.

NorthCounty Times Pier Article

How about we just put some bathrooms, lockers, and showers under the pier?


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Dang, I missed the whales swim by the pier Thursday

North County Times Whales Seen Near Pier

I did my swim yesterdat at about 4:45 PM and was exactly where these whales would have been if our swim times had coincided.  I don't know whether I would have been scared to death or totally excited-like when you see dolphins.


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

I Swim Alone (Because I Can't Keep Up With Real Swimmers) ??

There may be a smidgen of truth to this.  Nah.  I'd just swim behind the faster swimmers anyway.  I need my personal space.  I swam Tyson Street out and around the pier in flat water today.  39 minutes, no fins.  Got tired.  The waves were small: 1-3 feet but the south side had 2 dozen surfers enjoying beautifully-shaped smallish waves.  Yesterday with my fins when the water was rougher, it took me 7 minutes to get out past the surf zone.  Today without fins I didn't watch my wristwatch, but it was only a few minutes.
It's just too doggone beautiful here for just me to know about the great open water swimming here in Oceanside.  It's weird.  I love the winter months more than the summer months.  It actually wasn't that cold today-maybe 60 degrees.  surfline.com says 55-58 degrees.  At least 58.
Maybe if I wasn't too fat to fit into a triathlon wet suit, I'd never have begun this cold water swimming?
And that ticks me off-why can't a guy 5'10" and 235 pounds buy a triathlon wet suit?  I've looked-and they don't exist.  Oh, well...
Who needs it.
I have my 2 swims in for the week already.
Forgot the camera again. Sorry.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."