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West Coast Wonderful

Why didn't we move to an island? We could have. We didn't. Why? Tell me again. Oh, yeah... I talked Bob out of it.

As you can tell, I was reminded of what I love about the ocean - the salty sea air, the lapping waves, the roar of the water, the fresh air (yes, some how it's different). And that's not to mention the beauty - beauty in nature every where!

The first night there, we walked around Patrick's point and saw several look outs to the ocean. We were not able to go down on agate beach because there had been a land slide before we arrived - you couldn't even tell that the beach was normally covered in agates, as the agates were covered in land slide.

The following night we went out again to see the sunset. Bob got some nice pictures - I think Gabi did too. I'm not sure which I have posted here - maybe some from both. It is beautiful to watch the sun sink into the ocean, lighting up the water and blending in a way that only God can create. It's pure magic - the purest form of art!

On our way up to see the sunset, we came across a couple of ladies who were heading that same direction. Suddenly one of them said "That's a whale!" Sure enough, there was a whale spouting off int he distance rather close to the shoreline. After we'd watched the sunset, as we headed back down, we stopped to watch again to see if we could help the girls see the whale. We were told that there were at least three out there. I was lucky enough to see at least one spurt several times. Gabi was pretty sure she saw one, and Beth thought she might have, but wasn't sure. Gabi thinks she may have got one on camera - I haven't been that thoroughly through the pictures yet - as it would require a lot of zooming in to tell for sure.

Our first "in the water day" was directly after the Redwood hike. When we came through fern canon and then headed out toward the parking lot, we found Marie and Lynne with Haley, Eli and Olivia waiting at a near-by stream. We then all headed out, had a quick picnic, and drove a short distance to a place that Bob would have loved to camp - yes, right on the beach.



















It was a beautiful day - but the water was still very cold (like Maine oceans). The breeze was chilly, but not so cold that the kids felt they needed to stay bundled up. (For the most part)






















































There was, of course, much sand playing. Digging. Burying. Sand angels - both on the back and on the stomach.

And building of a "castle" or fortress from the on coming waves and the growing tide. Not to mention the running in and out of the water - which, of course, took down a kid or two on their race to the shore.

 Of course, what would be a wonderful day on the beach without a little relaxation? So, reading, walking, sleeping - and anything else that comes with a beach day.

PURE ENJOYMENT!

Red, Red - Tall and Wide

Our first full day - that would have been Tuesday - we head out to the Redwood National Forest to hike the James Irvine Trail. By we I mean my whole family, Adam, Annie and Julie. The rest of the crew went on a head to the end of the trail - past Fern Canon - to wait for us. I'll get to that in another post.

Jeremy had been so excited about the Redwoods - so excited that he had to run back into the house to get our Redwoods book so he could study all the way there. Never mind that he'd read the book as many times as one could image and could tell us everything that was in it. All I can say there is thank goodness it was a children's book and not a full volumn encyclopidea.

Lush and green. Did I mention that I love that? Reminds me of the east coast that way.





The redwoods are really huge trees. They are beautiful to look at - mighty to behold - and majestic in their giant way. And, of course, they are red. I especially enjoyed the canopy of green leaves. The shady wood.

All along the way there were fun things to see.





Various natural redwood wonders, bridges built from the fallen redwoods, and just neat things.

Like the natural slide - it was one huge piece of redwood tree. The kids really enjoyed that. And then there was Big Foots feet sticking out of the side of one tree - at least, that's what the kids said it was.





As you will notice there aren't many pictures of the boys - they were up with Dad, racing along (Peter especially) and I tended to be the caboose.





As time went on, Gabi, Beth and I ended up significantly behind the others...for a long time...we thought we wouldn't catch up again until we were at the end...but someone decided it might be best to wait for us at the last sign marker to make sure we went on the correct trail to get us from James Irvine to Fern Canon - and not some place else.





Fern Canon is beautiful with the ferns growing up both sides. There is a little stream that runs through, the whole way it is shallow enough to walk through - which Annie promptly did. It was beautiful - complete with little mini (and I do mean mini) water falls creeping out from the ferns here and there.

Over all, it was a beautiful way to spend the first morning.

I Sleep In A Tent

It's 4th of July week and our family went camping!

Every year Bob's sister (Marie) brings her family out to visit. So far, it has always been over 4th of July. Last year there was some discussion toward the end of the trip and the plan was formed to go on a camping trip to the coast. This was very exciting - especially for the kids.

See, we generally took our kids to the coast at least once every year when we lived in Maine. They love the ocean, love the waves, love the sand, they love it all.

And a little over eleven years ago, Bob and I went to Patrick's Point as part of our honeymoon trip.

So this trip was pretty special. It meant that all of our children (except Jacob) would have been to both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean (Jacob will eventually as well) and they would get to see a place that is near to mine and Bob's heart.

Of course, for them, the biggest excitement comes from being at the ocean AND being with cousins!

Anyway - the next few posts will be pictures from our trip - which will include pictures from Gabi as well (since she had her own camera this year). And, you'll be able to tell that she and I were the picture takers - but that's okay - we're also in a few ourselves.

As we came near to the coast, I was brought to happy elements of homesickness - is there really such a thing? There was fog - lots of fog! It rolled in, rolled over, and it was thick and then thin and it was just beautiful. After all, fog means moisture and moisture when green, lush vegetation! (And, as Bob's sister Julie said - she got to use her wipers - that never happens where she lives)

Setting up camp may take awhile, we there are always plenty of little hands to help out. We had three campsites - Aunt Julie had one, then grandma and grandpa in the middle - which was also where all the picnic tables were moved to and the "kitchen" was set up, and then the two kid families (ours and Marie's) were in the other one. So our little site had three tents - two for adults with the youngest kids and one for the oldest four girls.

There was also a lot of down time - so there was reading, and watching, and building of fairy houses (oh, and don't forget snacking).

And no camping trip is complete without at least one night of s'mores - Marie's kids had already had theirs and gone to bed as our family had headed out for a sunset the night that we did them.

Each day was full of adventure and fun. Hikes, and splashing, sight seeing, and family time!

Breakfast each morning was delicious and filling. Lunch was picnic style - with all sorts of goodies (or as grandma likes to call it... "Grandma's and Grandpa's junk") and dinners were amazing! We were often visited by birds (one even landed on Bob's hat) - but who could blame the birds when we had the best food around by far! Of course, we had the very best cooks and the best planner for all that too!

We've had a wonderful week! - The rest to come soon!