Am I lost?

I wake at 7:35am with an idea: I will ride the bus to my start point and to make sure that I don't miss an inch, I will end just where I left off yesterday.  It makes too much sense to simply start from where I left off.  I hop on the #30 bus to downtown San Diego.  My hike begins at Broadway Pier, an incredibly touristy part of the waterfront, where I fight my way between well-clad tourists departing from the Coronado ferry.  I pass the Star of India boat and the ferry landing, before winding around the waterfront across the street from the San Diego International Airport.  It is a paved bike path most of the day, leading me on a wondrous journey past marinas and ship builders and picnicing couples.  Of course, I pass a plethora of homeless people...but merely mentioning them sort of ruins the ambience...right?  The odd moment comes when I pass a beautiful spot and realize that although I am on the sidewalk...that this is in fact a make-out point.  There are three cars parked there, each occupied by a couple, tongues locked together, passion in their eyes, completely oblivious of me trying quickly to avert my eyes and pass the park.  Today's hike starts in this manner; easy to follow, beautiful, and popular.  Then I find myself at the Sports Fishing Marina, where I take a wrong turn and find myself on the other side of Harbor Island.  How did I get here? and how to get away from here?  I return to the Sports Fishing Marina and hear the first of three explanations on why I need to take Nimitz Boulevard to reach Ocean Beach, despite the fact that my map says differently and that Nimitz Boulevard is not even near the water.  Although three separate businesses tell me this advice, I don't listen...and I am glad I don't.  I find my way eventually through a maze of side streets.  At the end of Garden Land, I stand there confused facing a deadend, perplexed by the tall gate in front of me.  It is trail magic that helps me here, for as I stand there looking every bit confused, a woman drives her SUV up into her driveway beside me.  I ask her for directions (I mean, maybe it is the 4th, not the 3rd time that is the charm).  She informs me that I can go through a hidden gate there in the wall in front of me, through the back entrance of the Point Loma Nazarene University Campus.  After asking why I want to walk that way, I explain my trip to her and she is instantly enthralled with my plan.  She desperately wants to give me a drink, food, a chance to use the toilet, or call my mom, but I am okay.  She gives me her phone number and tells me to call her when I get to Ocean Beach and she will give me a ride to the Banana Bungalow hostel.  I forget to call her.  With some assistance from a college student, I navigate my way through the campus and down a steep hill to Sunset Cliffs.  I pass through campus on the first day the students are back from break, confusing students with my non-student status.  Then, I find myself passing the elementary school at exactly 3pm, just as the school day is ending.  I am instantly bombarded by youngsters bound for their parent's arms.  I arrive at Sunset Cliffs just as the sun is making its slow decent below the horizon.  I am awed by the sheer beauty of the place.  Ten minutes later I reach the Ocean Beach Pier.  My feet are swollen and tired, so I stumble to the dollar store for more packages of moleskin.  On the bus, I have a hard time not smiling, despite my painful feet...another 10.125 miles completed! 

Of course, I pass a plethora of homeless people, but merely mentioning them sort of ruins the ambience, don't you think?