Stinging Nettles

Yesterday we went for a short walk at the Shipley Nature Center - an urban oasis packed with native vegetation and wildlife.

Early signs of spring

Crazy Girl spotted a rare insect.  She was very, very excited.  After much studying, I identified it as ladybugus onleafus.

The elusive ladybugus onleafus

Being a guy, I wanted to pick it up and show it to her up close.  I failed to identify the leaf it was on as belonging to the stinging nettle plant, known in the scientific community as ohmygod thathurtsthathurtsthathurts.

Ouch - The stinging nettle

One millisecond, and the lightest of brushes against the back of my hand was all it took.  I felt like I had stuck my hand into a roaring fire.  Large welts immediately raised, and it burned and itched all afternoon.

While researching possible treatments to ease the discomfort, I learned that in England, there is an annual stinging nettle eating contest.  Yes, eating.  I can't even fathom the idea.

Huntington Beach - Surf City USA

Expect many posts about Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, because, well... we live there.

We love Southern California.  But I think we're the kind of people that no matter what region we lived in, we'd find something to like.

New Year's Day was one of the days that exemplifies why people choose to live in Orange County.  It was sunny, windless, crystal clear and a perfect temperature.

Rather than endure hours of Al Roker making inane comments about Tournament of Roses floats, we stepped outdoors.  A short drive got us to the Huntington Beach Pier.

Beach Volleyball on January 1st

Only a few hundred yards south of the busy pier area, the beach was nearly empty.  We enjoyed walking along the flat, smooth area exposed at low tide.  The seagulls certainly enjoyed all the food that low tide exposes.

Seagull at low tide in Huntington Beach

There was plenty of driftwood from the recent storms.

Looking north toward Huntington Beach Pier

We had wanted to go for a hike, but with the recent storms feared the trails would be muddy.  This was a terrific alternative!  At the turn point in Newport Beach there are beach cafes, restaurants and more.  On return, we were back at the Huntington Beach Pier for coffee at people watching.