Long Beach, California
Belmont Shore
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Clear, 80°
“A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles.”
Stopping by and seeing friends along the way, is a big part of this journey. There are some friends I’ve had over ten years through the wonders of the internet but had never actually met. I have met several on this trip and was happy to have had the chance to stop and visit for a while before heading back on the road.
Until today, I have not physically met these friends I have played computer games with for many years. On my road trip from Alaska several years ago, I had intended to stop for a visit with Carrie and John but family issues prevented me from doing so. I did not want this trip to pass so close without the opportunity to meet, say hello, and grab a bite to eat.
Coming out of the Desert from Borrego Springs, the temperature there was 120°. When I talked with Carrie on the phone, she said the beach was about 70°. This was going to be a welcome transition from the desert heat to the coastal beaches nearby. Long Beach seemed like a great place to finally meet. The sea breeze alone would be great after over a week of 100+ temps.
Driving toward Long Beach, we came across the studio of the Ricardo Breceda. He had created all of the art pieces in Borrego Springs that were shown in the previous post. It was interesting to see his property with hundreds of statues for sale and learn more of how Breceda became involved in making metal sculptures.
Centaur and other art
He has been called "The Accidental Artist" as well as "the Picasso of Steel" in books and stories about his work.
T Rex
We met his daughter Lianna (who is responsible for his beginning to work with metal) who showed us around and told us his sculptures generally sold anywhere between $100 and $700 but some could sell for up to $16,000+. According to Lianna, Breceda is a self-taught metal artist. Some of Breceda's sculptures include a stagecoach pulled by horses, a bear, and a scorpion. Breceda also makes statues of people, most of which are based on people from the old west (such as cowboys) and Native American figures.
End of the Trail Sculpture ready for Delivery
It was great seeing his vision come to life. Just off the property are several horse sculptures that appear to be jumping across the road.
Miner panning for Gold
I was going to visit my friend’s Carrie, John, and Kathy whom we all have known since our involvement with “The Amazon Basin” gaming community. I have known them online for over ten years but they had never been to the Basin’s yearly gatherings at the same time as me so it was great having the chance to finally meet them in person.
Carrie had said the main problem we were going to have would be finding a place to park a 30’ RV since all the streets are very narrow and the “on street parking” is packed with the vehicles of those living in the neighborhoods and is by special permit only. Carrie suggested we park at the beach, which is only a block away from her and John’s house, then walk back to the house and to nearby places to eat or shop on the main street a couple blocks off the beach. It worked out quite well having plenty of space for the RV, and the short walk was easy after being in the RV for three hours or so coming over the mountains from the desert.
Carrie, Kathy, and John walked to the beach, met up with us and everyone headed back to Carrie’s briefly to decide what type food to eat before heading up the street for lunch. There was a nice Mexican restaurant a few blocks away so we walked up the street to enjoy a meal. The main street, Highway 1, was filled with people walking and eating at the many sidewalk tables of the various eateries along both sides of the street. This was a really beautiful area with people involved in many activities along Hwy1 and on the beach itself.
We arrived at the restaurant and all the outdoor sidewalk tables were full so they seated us just inside at a front window table. The food was great, the margaritas and cold Corona cervezas were wonderful and the conversations flowed freely as everyone told about what was going on in their lives, the gaming community and the trip so far.
John, Carrie, Kathy, and D.
We spent a little more time back at Carrie’s house and before anyone wanted to leave, it was time once again to hit the road and drive to the next campground in Tapo Canyon.
It was great seeing everyone and finally meeting after all these years. Hopefully, it will not be as long before our next meeting at one of the ABCon’s where the gaming gang gathers once a year.