California Girls: Day 1

Nothing like playing hookie at the beach. The girls and I tagged along with Clint to San Diego to hang ten while he worked. Maisey missed a few days of school, but look at all the fun stuff we learned in the real world.

The ride to Dana Point from the San Diego Airport is only an hour.

Graphic Designers have a real sick sense of humor.Imagine my horror (no pun intended?) about our new destination when I read this magazine title. This is actually Where magazine. I'll bet my reaction was nothing compared to the model on the cover. I imagine her reputation is ruined.

It is three hours earlier in California than it is in West Virginia. Is it really only 5:30 am? Feels like 8:30. Let's hit the beach! Baby Beach, that is, at Dana Point Harbor.

Maisey poses for us. Model or Bay Watch girl. You decide.

The water on the Pacific Ocean is much colder than the Atlantic Ocean! Evie plays it safe in the sand while Maisey takes the plunge.

Sam and Ana joined us for the trip, and they enjoyed the beach too.

Evie and Sam finally take the plunge

The Ocean Institute was right here at Dana Point Harbor, named after the Richard Henry Dana. A replica of his merchant ship, The Pilgrim, is moored here, which he sailed from Boston, around Cape Horn to Capistrano Bay California, to what he called "the most romantic spot in California."

Locals enjoy paddle surfing on Baby Beach. Looks like fun.

Newport Beach Excursion

That afternoon (yeah, I know! There's so much time in a day that begins at 5:30 am!) we decided the Fun Zone at Newport Beach sounded like fun. So me and four kids piled into our rental and drove up Pacific Coast Highway in search of the Fun Zone.

The Ferry Ride

So after about an hour on Pacific Coast Highway, the time was creeping up to 3 pm when the Garmin told us to make the next left, then board the ferry. The ferry! After a short discussion, we decided it was worth the risk of getting back late, and decided to go for it!

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

This was a fun place, and while small, we learned a lot while inside. If you're in the area, check out check it out.

The Touching Tank

Maisey posing on a transpacific racing yacht. Well, half of one.

Sam is enthralled by the ROV deep exploration vechicle.

The Balboa Fun Zone

As we wandered outside, we hit--you guessed it--the Fun Zone, where they had bungee jumping on a trampoline. Ana and Maisey couldn't resist.

Of course Evie wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel, so I swallowed my bile, and rode with her and Maisey. What a rush!

We found a little arcade where Sam obsessed over winning an Amazon Gift card. He spent $20 there, and still no gift card. Somehow Ana won 300 tickets playing Deal or No Deal, and picked a nifty stuffed animal for herself. Thankfully the girls didn't see it, because I played twice and only wone a single ticket each time. Maisey and Evie only wanted to play the claw game that let you play until you actually won a piece of candy. Whew!

After all that, ice cream was in order.

But not for me. I got the Newport Harbor original dessert, a frozen banana.

Say what you will, it was yummy. And well deserved. Dinner with Clint's coworkers took us late into the evening, and my dinner came back to the hotel in a box accompanied by very tired children. I didn't mind. I was exhausted too.

Low Tech, Old School Fun

Sometimes you just gotta get away. So away we went to join some friends on a camping trip in Ohio. It was so much fun that I forgot about all the crap I volunteered for, all the obligations I made, and all the stuff I'm responsible for (well, except for my children). It kind of made life easier. And more fun. No gadgets, no gizmos. No satellite dish, no internet and definitely no A/C. I didn't know what time it was most of the day and night. And the best part is: I didn't care. It was low tech, old school fun.

Here's our campsite. Clint's friend Jared is in the tent next door. He brings the beer, and we feed him and give him coffee.

Afternoon fun at the pond. Here's Alex and Sydney with Chief after a dip in the pond.

And here's the dip in the pond.

Walking back from the pond to the campsite.

At the Pool

A swim in the pool was in order too. It was hot.

But all Evie wanted to do was whine and negotiate this thing and that. She really just wanted a nap.

But I gave them all ice cream instead. That's better than a nap. At least for an almost three-year old.

Fun in The Creek

The girls thoroughly enjoyed playing in the creek the entire weekend. Making friends came easy. That creek attracted kids like moths to flame.

Horses Are Always Fun

These geldings were great. Gentle and friendly, and they ate all of my organic plain oats.

Camper Fun

Sleepy Clint.

Nurse Sydney patched up Evie's boo boo with 27 stickers. Worked like a charm!

Watching Scooby Doo. The only high tech device in the camper: our DVD player for a little Scooby fix.

Yummy donuts!

Outdoor Fun

Matt, Clint and Jared playing music, while Evie chills. At dusk the musicians and their instruments seem to come out of the woodwork for a jam session. It's a lot of fun, but you'd better bring your tolerance for beer, whiskey or moonshine, and certainly your singing voice if you can't play a guitar, banjo, or mandolin.

Or, if you're a kid, you can do any of the following: Throw balls at a target.

Do what the dog does: have fun grass rolling.

Throw stones in the creek, or if you haven't already scared them away, look for frogs and minnows.

Play at the park. The attraction of the day was the Muddy Go Round. Nothing like a nice moat around the merry go round for added fun.

My little monkey. She loves to climb.

Maisey is fast becoming the butterfly whisperer. This butterfly landed on her towel, then a bag of tortillas, then Maisey just scooped him right up. I love wildlife.

I love camping. It's the greatest adventure.