Affinity sales team hiking on beach (L to R) Bob Frank, Mary Phillipp, Didier Chabault, Roberto Henker,
Joann Frank, Marcus Huber, Lorenz Huber and Cesar Jara

We are pleased to have recently entered into a partnership with MPS Terminal from Germany to support the development of OEM customers in central Europe.  To kick-off the relationship we recently hosted the first “Affinity Global Sales Meeting” at our new facility in Costa Mesa.  To ensure a productive week of sessions, we scheduled a Team Hike Sunday morning followed by a Barbeque later in the afternoon.

I decided to organize a hike at one of our favorite local beach spots:  Crystal Cove State Park.  This beach is a nearly pristine, relatively undeveloped stretch of coastline along the ocean bluffs of El Moro Canyon with unusual geological formations and a bit of Orange County history.  After a short continental breakfast in the parking lot our group of 10 decided to forge ahead on the 4.2 mile hike.  We started by heading north on a paved trail through waist high Salt Bush and other flowering vegetation.  The fresh breeze of salty ocean air combined with the smell of sage is refreshing.  The temperature was cool but perfect for walking.  This was a great opportunity to reconnect with our European guests in a most comfortable setting.  So comfortable in fact that about 20 minutes into the hike Cesar Jara asked, “Where’s Hank”.  In our excitement to start our excursion we failed to realize that we left Hank at the restrooms.  After a good chuckle we reconnected and resumed our walk. Thank goodness he’s a good sport.

We continued our journey to the northern most point of the trail, adjacent to the Pelican Hill Golf Course.  We took a short break and watched the pelicans cruise by barely skimming the waters of the Pacific. I recall my rebellious past when my friends and I would (illegally) dive from the rocks into the ocean, dodging the local Coast Guard.  As we continue south on the beach we split up into smaller groups either talking and enjoying the morning.  Roberto Henker misjudges a wave and is knee deep in the surf before he realizes what has happened.  This gives him ample justification to complete the hike barefoot.  We ended our trek at the historic Cottages of Crystal Cove.  This is a truly charming location with a small well known restaurant surrounded by a few shacks where the local artists peddle their latest crafts.

Later that afternoon we resumed our day of fun with a fantastic BBQ at Mary and Dave’s place, but that’s a story for another Blog.  And I almost forgot, the sales meeting was a great success as well.

Regarding the history of Crystal Cove, originally the land was leased by the Mexican Government to a cattle rancher.  When the rancher went into debt the land was sold to a group of investors, one of which was James Irvine.  Crystal Cove would eventually become part of the mammoth Irvine Ranch that spread throughout much of central Orange County.  More recently the Irvine Company had leased the land in 1920 to a private beach resort that had built beachfront cottages that were occupied full-time by local residents.  About 10 years ago the land was purchased by the State of California and the residents were evicted after a lengthy court battle.  Today the cottages have been renovated and the public can rent them through the State Parks Services.  They are considered one of the local “well kept secrets” if you are lucky enough to get a reservation, even in the winter months.