Board Girl Travels

On Monday, November 7th I got on a bird that was headed for the West Coast. Leaving Texas behind and the roller coaster ride that has transpired over the past several months, I couldn’t wait to step off the plane in California and breathe in the newest chapter of my life. With a little naivety, a 62 pound suitcase, and a bottle of The Salt Lick BBQ sauce I hit the tarmac running.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles I was greeted with a smile and a hug from one of my best friends from college, Lauren. Five minutes later, and in traditional tourist style, I was on Hollywood Boulevard taking photos and gawking at the Kodak and Grauman’s Chinese Theaters. After driving around Hollywood for a little while I was ready for some much needed sleep. Daylight Savings Time, changing time zones, and spending half of my day either in an airport or on a plane, my body had absolutely no clue what time it actually was.

So thanks to my internal clock for being so screwed up, I was wide awake at 7 a.m. on Tuesday.  After starting the day off right with a cup of coffee and brunch at my new favorite coffee shop, Aroma, Lauren and I took off on a hike up to the Hollywood sign. The rest of the day was spent stocking up on groceries and getting settled.

With the images of beautiful beaches and surf in my mind since I planned my trip to California, I was antsy to explore the Southern coast and begin the latest component to Board Girl Travels. Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway towards the beaches of Malibu you couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off my face. Clear blue skies, a light ocean breeze, and the company of local surfers offered a great beginning to my time there. I was also fortunate enough to share the day with a good friend of mine from Texas, Meredith Madden Sauer, who now lives in Los Angeles.

Surfer in Malibu, California

Preparing to Surf in Huntington Beach, California

Thursday, Lauren and I took a stroll down the Santa Monica pier in hopes to see firsthand some of the recent whale sightings in SoCal and to work on some surfing photos. Unfortunately we didn’t spot any whales, but we did see a few dolphins. Afterwards we met up with Lauren’s roommate, Maddie, who was in the area for some delicious sushi along Ocean Ave. On the way home I experienced true L.A. traffic at its finest as it took us almost two hours to get home when it normally would take about thirty minutes. Since being there I have definitely become a more patient person and have a new found love for the carpool lane!

Lifeguard Stands in Santa Monica, California

At the beginning of this post I mentioned something about Salt Lick BBQ. You might be sitting there wondering how barbeque has anything to do with Board Girl Travels or wake, surf, and snow? Let me just tell you, the mere fact that I am a Texas girl it has everything to do with it…

It all started after being dropped off at the Austin airport by two great friends of mine, Cameron and Ty. Since I pulled a “Courtney” and saved my packing duties until right before I had to leave, I neglected to eat anything. Thankfully ABIA is equipped with The Salt Lick so I was in luck. While standing in a decently long line to place my order I hopped on my Twitter account and mentioned something about heading to the West Coast and the delicious brisket sandwich I was about to devour to Liquid Force. Not really expecting a reply, I was totally shocked when they wrote back proclaiming their love for The Salt Lick and that I should bring them some. Quickly realizing that I was actually going to be in the area of their headquarters later that week I grabbed a bottle of sauce before boarding the plane.

Surfer in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California

Spotting Waves in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California

Fast forward a few days to Friday and I am in Encinitas, California blindly walking in to the Liquid Force headquarters. With a bottle of barbeque sauce in my hand and my camera over my shoulder I was politely greeted as I entered the office. So I began to explain my story and reason for the impromptu visit. I was informed that unfortunately the person who runs their Twitter account was out of town. However, little did I know until halfway through the conversation that I was speaking with Jimmy Redmon, Founder and VP of Liquid Force. Being a native Texan himself he understood the deliciousness of The Salt Lick. So we talked a little bit about what I am doing with Board Girl Travels, and I found out that he had actually seen some of my photos from Waketoberfest. One of their wake surf riders, Dominic Lagace, had been at Waketoberfest riding on his new board designed by Liquid Force. Coincidentally, Dominic was also in the office right before I arrived.

Dominic Lagace riding on his new Liquid Force board at Waketoberfest

After talking for a little while longer I left their headquarters completely shocked. Out of all the people who could have been standing at the front of the office when I walked in, it was Jimmy Redmon himself who greeted me. It had never crossed my mind that I would have the opportunity to meet him walking in that Friday afternoon, but that is what makes the story so great and one that will always remain a memory of mine.

Now I am sure the person who wrote on their Twitter account to bring them the BBQ sauce wasn’t actually expecting me to, but hey you never know where a little spontaneity will land you. For me, it was in Encinitas, California at Liquid Force Headquarters. From the ripe ol’ age of 10 when I first learned to wakeboard, Liquid Force has always been a brand and company that I admire and respect.

That Friday I listened to my own advice and the words of Eleanor Roosevelt to “do one thing every day that scares you.” It was awesome.

Wakeboarding on Lake Travis on the Liquid Force Melissa Marquardt Angel 134 that I have always ridden.