Early Morning Run

I've never enjoyed a morning run as much as I did today. With time on my side (California is 3 hours behind the East Coast!), I was up and ready by 7:30am and excited to get outside. The air was chilly and breezy, but made me exceedingly happy for some reason. I eagerly sprinted down the cliffs to get to the beach and begin my slow jog in the sunrise on the beach. Hardly anybody was awake; I only encountered a few runners, dog walkers, and bikers. It was very peaceful to run to the sound of the waves. Four surfers braved the frigid waters to paddle around on their boards and a fisherman stood in the high tide with his rod. 

(High tide at sunrise)

In addition to feeling like a true Californian fitness guru by running in the sand along the waves, I decided to explore the roads around the hotel as well. I passed boat parking lots and docks, small parks, seaside "villas," as they were dubbed, and found a steep hill lined with palm trees. All of a sudden I became very motivational and told myself I would run all the way to the top of the half a mile or so, steeply inclined road. I talked myself into it and nearly died getting to the top, but the view was absolutely worth it! Those people living in the "Lantern Bay" villas on the cliff were lucky. 

(View from near Lantern Bay Villas at the top of Laguna Cliffs)

Though I shed my fleece jacket while on my run, it was pretty cold and I put on a thicker sweatshirt to join Mom and Dad for breakfast at the Vue restaurant in the hotel when I got back. The food was delicious and, as usual, the views were exquisite. Hanaa and Zaynee missed out; they were still sleeping even though it was almost 1pm back home! I went back to wake them up and change while Mom and Dad sought out information packets at the front desk and rented our car. Now, as Zaynee and Hanaa are eating breakfast with Dad, Mom and I are stealthily watching an outdoor yoga class in the park from our hotel room window. I'll definitely be doing that tomorrow! Mom, however, has already started copying the poses in the room. Looks like she won't need to go join the actual class since she's doing it all in here, from warrior to eagle! As soon as the rest of the family gets back, we're heading off to explore along the coast!

(Yoga class overlooking the sea from my hotel window)