When the World Wasn’t So Gloomy — An Evening at Dana Point

It seems like a tale from a time long past. A time when people crowded markets, beaches and parks without a worry. A time when we shook hands and hugged our friends. A time when life was filled with adventure and the world wasn’t so distressful.

Dana Point has always had a special place in my heart. It sits at the edge of Orange County, where land meets the ocean and mother nature shows all her glory. The marine life of this place captivates thousands of enthusiastic watchers every year. The beastly whales overwhelm the audience with their sheer size while the native dolphins display the beauty of marine life.

My last visit to the harbor was short. Looking back, I wish it had been a bit long. The only thing I bought for the trip was a flask I ordered online. Since I have developed a habit of using coupons for saving on household expenses, I spent quite a bit of time scouring through the net to find a discount on my flask (old habits die hard).

Once everything was packed and loaded, I headed out. Since my place isn’t far from the harbor, the ride was short but sweet —and to make things even better, I arrived just in time for the show.

It wasn’t long before the amazing creature graced us with their presence. Here, I captured a dolphin releasing water through its blowhole, breathing the fresh air of Orange County.

Soon, a group of dolphins (which is called a pod) arrived on the scene. They swam together in a beautifully synchronized setting.

Every visual seemed like it was out of an Animal Planet documentary. Only, the spectacle seemed much more real.

The dolphins played above the waters for quite a while. The spectacular mammals flaunted their beaks and dorsal fins to the amazement of everyone watching.

It wasn’t just dolphins that made the evening special. Dana Point is also home to a number of sea lions that exemplify the diversity of marine life. Here, a father and a son (perhaps) are seen sharing a moment.

It was a lazy saturday for our sea lion friends at the harbor. On every other interval, one saw a bunch of them laying together without a care in the world.

Before heading back to the land, I took one more picture of the seas. This would be the final picture I would take of one of my favorite places on earth.

At the evening end, I sat down at one of the finest eateries in Dana Point. By now, the temperature had fallen to 66°F. The cocktail beside the firepit with a view of Orange County’s enchanting sky was a fitting end to a memorable day.

This was the last I would visit Dana Point in a while. A week or two after I explored the wonders of harbor, the COVID-19 outbreak caused millions, including me, to quarantine in their homes.

As I sit in my living room, writing this in a white pajamas stained by ketchup, I hope to one day go back to the beautiful harbor.