u/indopassat

80 deg water. Pretty clear on a weekday. Very clean grounds. Rent a boat and cruise around. You can BYOB on the grounds and sand.

I love Lake Mission Viejo!

Rental CX50, somehow lost CarPlay, how do I get it back? TIA!

Just spent a week in Purmerend. It’s so lovely , the town square (Cow Mart?) with restaurants and bars, the small indoor mall, the pleasant shopping.

What’s not to like?

So, we are at 1300 miles on our new RX350H, and I have two questions:

1. When I engage the parking brake (the “P” button below the shifter) I don’t hear ANY noise of engagement. Usually on any car with electronic parking brake you hear the “EARRRRRRRTCH” as the pads engage. I heard a Lexus NX does this just today as I walked past. My RX? No noise. Is it even engaging ?

2. The “Open Rear Hatch” button left of steering wheel below the dash. Whenever I hit that button, the hatch does not open. Nothing. Is this something I’m supposed to work?

East Beach, Lake Mission Viejo. Two beaches here, water is in 80s in summer, and open container allowed. Rent 10ppl party boats for $25/hr.

It’s quite nice. Coming from a beach person, I didn’t think I would like coming here, but it’s very nice.

Edit for facts:

1. Open only to Mission Viejo residents, who are also a member of the Lake Mission Viejo Association. Not all Mission Viejo residents are; the address has to say they want to belong, and once they do they are forever part of the association. Cost: $20 or $25 a month

2. For that amount, you get lake access for household, plus you can bring guests for $5 day.

3. They have LEGIT bands there on a completely professional stage every summer. Two years ago we saw The Gin Blossoms. Earth Wind and Fire. Before that Leann Rhimes.

4. You can rent 10 person electric party boats with canopy for $25 hr. Also pedal boats, canoes, mini sailboats, paddle boards.

5. Open container is approved. Bring a cooler and your booze (must be in cans, no glass). Interestingly, I have NEVER seen anybody there over intoxicated. Hell, if they had this in Long Beach where I grew up, there would be BODIES ON THE FLOOR. People do drink very responsible there.

6. Longtime residents told me the water USED to be so clear you could be in 25’ and see the bottom. Whatever, you show up on a weekday when there isn’t people there to stir it up and to me the water is so clear it reminds me of Maho Bay in St John. 83 deg also. It’s so nice.

I went to Mission Viejo’s 4th of July festivities yesterday and happened to come across this high school age band, only listened to two songs but holy smokes….. Iphone didn’t capture acoustics well but bass and drums rhythm section was SOLID, guitars legit, and the singer had a Robert Plant sound. I was f@cking impressed .

The band’s name (I think) was “School of Rock”, they had several members that would switch instruments, different singers, I mean just crazy talent. Hell, I was in a band for several years and we didn’t sound this good LOL. And they are in high school.

Just impressed that a new generation appreciates this music and are taking the torch. The Kids (in OC) Are Alright.

Showed up 5:30pm on a weekday. They had multiple attendants steering you towards open lanes (low attendance means they close lanes). I think I saw 5 other cars there. Obviously a secret for now .

Super excited to finally pump gas , only to learn my membership expired ! Not to worry, they actually had a membership booth there where I was able to update my membership, and off I was pumping $4.69 gas.

A little confused on which way to exit , would suggest don’t go back to the same entrance driveway.

Overall 9/10. Would be 10/10 if they had hot dogs.

Edit: For all the summer travelers driving by to go/come to San Diego, this stop is right off the freeway .

Edit 2: To be clear, what makes this unique (first in the USA) is that this is NOT attached to a Costco warehouse , but instead is a standalone 40 pump gas station.