Welcoming Summer

Happy belated Summer Solstice! Last week (in the last official days of Spring) we headed down to Laguna Beach. If you find a parking spot in the neighborhoods you'll notice every so often there are stairs down to all the little beaches and coves.



I love these because at this point they are a lot more private than some of the bigger beaches.



It was about 1 pm and that little blue blanket over there is ours... in a spot all our own.

Last year we never even went to the beach in the summer. Not once. We only live 10 miles away, although it took us 20 minutes to get there this day.

But right now I have the luxury of being off with B on a weekday when we can sneak away and avoid weekend crowds.



I love this particular area because there is a rocky side where we sat....



and a portion of the beach without rocks for a more family-friendly area.

Can you imagine living in one of these houses?! They all have private stairs that lead down to the sand.



If you walk out on the rocks you can explore the tide pools!



I love this shot of this little boy pointing things out in the water. I remember walking the tide pools when I was little.



There are sea anemones that I always have to poke. Have you ever touched an anemone? The tentacles (are they tentacles?) are a bit sticky and they close up when touched.

Please be gentle though, don't batter the poor things.



I noticed B off to the side playing with a blade of sea grass for a while and realized he was teasing this crab.

That crab has quite a grip for such a little thing.

B and Peanut are going to have a great time exploring.



In the next cove over you can rent a kayak. I wonder why I never thought to do these types of things out here? I would jump at the chance to do these things when vacationing.

Then B reminded me that I was worried about sea monsters when we were kayaking in a lake. you know those evil lake sharks. God only knows what my imagination would find in the ocean.



So instead I walked along the rocks and watched the waves wash over.



Each time the water filled the tide pools, covered the rocks and slid over my feet.

Then I stepped into hole and was thankful that I forgot my camera and was using B's. His is waterproof and crush-proof so it won't damage it I smash it. Not that I would do that. B are you reading this?

All those years of ballet.... and no grace to prove it.



I can't wait to go back.

What do you look forward to doing in the next month?