The Parting of California Clouds

As we drove hours and hours across the Nevada and California desert the sun beat down on our trusty Subaru. We were in search of where sand meets the water. It was probably a blazing 90 degrees. But as we inched closer and closer to the ocean it was if we had driven into a cloud and landed in 75 degrees. Our beach cloud was perfect for art festivals and Sea World but we were happy when it parted and gave us some good old fashioned California sun. And a sweet sunburn for me. Somehow I always manage to get the kids nice and lathered with 50+ sunscreen and well, as for me, a nice red leathery glow is what I get. Someday I will learn, maybe at 36 years old but at 35 I am still burning my outer covering. Our condo was nestled in a botanical garden at the waters edge. Perfect.

Seaworld was a highlight for the children. The dolphins were strangely attracted to Miss Stella. They passed many spectators by and right to her outstretched hand with their squeaky calls and teethy smiles. The boys were a little apprehensive to reach out to a large mammal with its mouth wide open. And we managed to scare Stella and Miles on the Atlantis water soaking rollercoaster. Brighton the youngest of the three loved it. Spencer and Miles were in the front and drenched from head to toe. Good thing moms come prepared with dry clothes. I may have screamed the loudest and longest. 

The architecture at Balboa Park was something to take notice of. We visited the Natural History Museum and Botanical Building. While we could have spent the entire day there,  after about three hours the kids were ready to head back to the beach and pool. We really could spend every vactation around these two activities and the kidlets would be perfectly satisfied. 

My cousin Pete, his wife Katie, and their two kids Parker and Brooks met up with us for a bite to eat.We took a sunset stroll along the beach and down the wooden pier for old fashioned burgers, cherry coke, frings(fries and onion rings), and shakes at Rubys. A fisherman caught a stingray while we walked up the pier and Brighton went in for a slimy touch.

We wanted to rent bikes but were perplexed how to do that with people ranging from 4 to 36. And then we discovered the bike built for five. It was a good laugh as Spencer and I pedaled the family along the coastline.

But with all our running around it is the sand between our toes, the kids sqeauls of joy as the waves crash, and the warm sun beating down upon our faces that draw us back to the soul grabbing oceanside every year.