Rain on Main

 “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.”  When you where a child, do you remember standing in front of a window, looking out at the pouring rain and wishing with all of your heart that the rain would stop?  The hope of some long awaited outing slowing bleeding away with every rain drop that trailed down that window. 

My “grown up” version of “Rain, rain go away” started about a week ago when I decided that my next adventure would be a trip over to Seal Beach.  I would look at all the shops, walk in the sand and get something really yummy from the bakery on Main Street, but when I opened the blinds only the weak grey light that signals impending rain greeted me.

 I grumbled and humphed and I thought about changing my plans and then I reminded myself, “Hey Des, this is Southern California not Siberia,” there is actually a high probability that I would survive for a few hours out in the rain. 

Now, with a new sense of adventure I hopped in the car and began the drive to Seal Beach.  The dark clouds grew more ominous with every mile and when I spied the ocean I could see the rain begin to come ashore.  Soon, my wiper blades were getting a long overdue workout, and I reached across the seat and gave my trusty umbrella a reassuring pat. 

I even began to fantasize that all of this rain would keep people away and that I would be able to drive onto Main Street and find a great parking place.  Ha, you silly girl.  It may have been quieter on the street, but parking was still a challenge.  I kept my eyes open and soon with some quick thinking and a slightly illegal maneuver, I was parked right on Main Street.  

I got out of my car, hoisted my umbrella and began to make my way down this appealing main street lined with shops and restaurants.  The first thing I wanted to do was to check out a little shop that I had visited with Bud and Whitney this summer.  In my naive little way I had hoped that I could pick up a tasty treat to send them for Christmas, but alas everything was a bit pricey, and the cost of shipping! Wow!  It didn’t help that when I asked about shipping the reply was a brusque, “It won’t make it there by Christmas.”

I think some business owners and their employees don’t realize how much effect a negative remark has on their business.  If a helpful person with some suggestions (there was a post office right down the street) had approached me, I might have bought the gift there, but alas I am all about the good vibe.  Too bad!

 Next stop, a bakery I had seen from the car the last time I drove by.  There is nothing I like better then a good bakery! Right?  Alas, another miss, it smelled delicious but it was very busy and I had my mind set on lowbrow goody and not dainty pastry.  Oh well, I decided to move on, but I was beginning to get a bit hungry.

I crossed the street and at last I found a place to have my repast, I spied a Greek restaurant called “Athens West.”  While I was not overpowered with friendliness when I walked in the door, the food was good, very good, and there was plenty of it.  It was more then I could eat and when I asked for a take out container, I finally received a small sample of a smile from the girl at the counter.  I was sure to save room for desert and now I went in search of my bakery.

It was kind of fun walking down the rainy street looking into shop windows.  In one antique shop they had some salt and pepper shakers that made me think of my Grandma Powell.  She had a huge collection of salt and pepper shakers that just fascinated me when I was a small girl. 

 

Just before I got to the pier I came upon “Sweet Jill’s Bakery,” I stepped in and I was overwhelmed by the huge selection (smiles are still scarce).  How do you decide between thick pieces of moist cake, decorated cookies, cupcakes, etc, etc, etc?  When I finally decided on a huge rice crispy treat, I headed for the door, treat in one hand and my umbrella in the other I was ready for the pier. 

I crossed the street in the pouring rain and headed down the ramp toward the sand, a homeless man seeking shelter was wrapped in blankets and sleeping under the pier.  I looked across the huge expanse of wet sand, and decided that the top of the pier was a better idea and headed up. 

It was fun being out on the pier by myself in the pouring rain, yes, it was fun.  The waves seem to crash ashore and the ocean was angry (ok just grumpy), cold and grey.  Two die hard surfers braved the waves, and a lone pelican glided overhead before diving in the surf in search of his dinner.

There are two plaques at the base of the pier; one acknowledges the people who helped to rebuild the pier in 1983 after it was destroyed in a storm (according to my geography professor, caused by El Nino).  The restaurant that stands at the end of the pier had been rebuilt at that time, but now it is closed and deserted, and in the pouring rain it seems forgotten.   

The other plaque says that pier was originally built as a WPA project in 1938, and if you look at the base of the pier you can still see the style of construction from that era.

When I turned around and I walked back down the pier I passed a venturesome family just heading out to the end of the pier, and I decided to call it a day.  I would soon be back home and drying out, but the trip was worth it, and I am glad that I ventured out into the rain.  I am beginning to find out that there are so many things I can see right in my own “back yard.” if I will only take a moment to look around.

By Desiree Hedger