January 31 - End of the Road

Today ends my touching the ocean adventure.  It began just as a fun thing to try, not much of a stretch, but enough of a challenge to make it interesting.  I had some hard times getting down to the ocean, sometimes because I was tired, sometimes because Dara was not so agreeable.  I was hoping that I would be able to walk or run everyday and while it didn't turn out to work that way, most days I did get to walk. 

This morning I decided since it was my last day and I rarely go to the end of the pier, I should make the journey out that far at least.  It was a cloudy morning - but looking back over the hills was stunning.  Also on my way to the beach I have to cross over some railroad track (and a foot bridge over the freeway)  Today of course I made it just before the train.  Another cool view there . . .

The sand was dry and not so cold this morning which was nice.  I am so grateful for the adventure.

train, train tracks and freeway . . .

looking toward downtown Ventura

Ventura Pier

feet in the water

 P.S.  my mom asked what I would be doing for this next month.  February will be a journey inward - I will focus on writing, meditation and Healing Touch.  Stay tuned here or at embody wisdom

January 30 - Play Date at the Park

Convinced Dara and Micah to join me on a trip to Marina Park.  (after we went to another park of their choosing of course)  Very fun day, Very nice morning.

Dara and Micah on the slide

Dara and the view

in the water - Dara in the sand

January 29 - Does it Get Any Better?

We have had an amazing weekend of beautiful weather here.  This morning I got to get up extra early and get a 10.5 (roughly) mile run in before church, then off church and back for lunch, naps and relaxation.  This evening I spent time with an amazing group of people at The Abundant Table (the Episcopal Campus Ministry for Cal State Channel Islands).  Before I headed out I was able to run down to the beach.  Tim and Dara walked down . . . on a side note they also walked back and saw a hawk catch a rat (or something of the sort).

What a great way to spend a Sunday.

kites

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 P.s.- there are no pics of Dara today because she was extremely un-photogenic.  and I did not have the time to keep trying.

January 28 - Beach Day with Dad

Weekends are great when Tim can come to the beach with us.  Dara and Tim get crazy with the stuff that they do.  We were going to take Dara out in the water on the boogie board today since the weather was so warm, but the wind kicked in and the water was chilly - so we decided not to try it today. Little kids and being cold is not fun, but little kids + sand + sunshine + dad = awesome!!!

January 27 - Playing in the Sand

Dara had her check up at the doctor's office today.  She checks out just fine.  In fact - better than I thought!  Even with her "spartan" 3-year-old diet she is growing on track (90% height 25% weight). She is a feather. 

This kid loves the sand and the waves - I rarely see her as happy as she is on the beach.

in the water

digging with mom

walking on the rocks

January 26 - After Class

Dara and I went down to the beach today after she was done with pre-school.  We actually drove down to a parking lot near the freeway and then crossed over on the foot bridge.  We really must be coming down with something.  Neither of us had much energy (but at least more than yesterday).  So we walked along by the water and then Dara got to play on the playground.

high tide

footprints

Dara's Hat

January 25 - Ok, I Took a Break

One would think I could push through being tired, or dealing with the rain, and really there is not much of an excuse, but today I needed a break from the ocean (and Dara chose going to the Library rather than the beach - I know that is hard to believe) So for one reason or another I decided to take a break today - But never fear I will be back at it tomorrow.  However, for your enjoyment I took a pic of the ocean.  we got about 2 blocks closer, but the view was not as good . . .

January 24 - In the Morning On My Own

Tim and Dara both slept in this morning (when does that ever happen???) and I didn't know what to do with myself when I got up.  So I headed down to the beach.  About half way there I had one of those crazy thoughts running through my head that Dara would get up and come to find us and something would have happened to Tim and She would not know what to do and so she would go outside to look for me and wander the streets . . . (I called Tim and put a stop to that wild senario, but I got the voice mail.  That was enough to get me out of the stream of thought anyway).

I got down to the pier and was reminded why people like to surf in the morning - the water looks so soft and inviting, the air is fresh, it is quiet.  The only hardship is that the sand is really cold.  That kind of cold where as you walk your whole legs just ache.  But then the water feels warmer.  Why I always forget that cold part I don't know.  But the warm water I do remember.

This morning I actually went out on the pier a little.  I think there has only been about 3 or 4 times that I have walked to the end.  It is long - and there is a "hill" toward the end.  So at least you can see a pic of the top of the pier here.

Pier Gate

the long Ventura Pier (and this is not even from the beginning)

warm water

January 23 - It's Creepy in the Dark

I suppose walking down on the promenade in the moonlight near the pier could be considered really romantic.  It is a pretty area, and fairly well lit, but I tend to think it is a little creepy.  Walking on my own down the dark stairs toward the water.  You can hear the waves crash, but it is hard to say how close to the stairs they are coming, and then with rain over the last 24 hours some of the sand is washed away so there is a big drop off at the bottom of the stairs. 

It poured rain most of the day today and by the time we could get down to the water it was after dinner - so we stopped by on the way to run a few other errands.  Dara and Tim waited in the car as I made my way to the edge of the ocean.  I think Tim was a little nervous that I took so long - you can't see the sand from where he parked - thank goodness for the camera flash.  I also brought a different camera and it was hard to switch settings in the dark.  Here's what I ended up with . . .

creepy stairs

feet in the water

the pier in the distance

January 22 - Big Waves, Major Rip and Fresh Sea Air

We walked down to the beach today and I think it was the first time in a good long while that the air smelled like fresh and clean sea air.  One wouldn't think the smell would be so shocking to someone who lives by the ocean, but so often it is tainted with cigarette smoke, fish smells, or rotting seaweed.  Today was amazing fresh after the wind and rain!  WOW. 

We had stopped by the beach earlier in the day to look at the waves, but didn't have time to touch the water.  The waves where big AND the tide was high.  By the time we went to the beach the tide was low and the waves died down a little, but there was still a distinct rip and some big sets comin' in!  Fun to watch the power of the water!

shadow in the foam

Dara checking out the waves

January 21 - Windy

Man it was windy today.  The nice thing about that was that it kept the rain away for a little while.  We wondered if it was even too windy for the kite, but it turned out well.  Gorgeous night at the beach, Dara tried her hand at pushing Tim on the swings and it was great just to get some fresh air!

on the way to the beach

Erin and Dara in the water

Dara and Tim fly a kite

Dara pushing Tim on the swing!

Erin on the beach

Sunset

big waves on the beach

January 20 - before the rain

A quick trip to the beach before the rain started tonight. of course Dara has to do whatever she could to prove that she is 3 and has the control she wants.  Still the adventure is always better with her.

hiding at the bottom of the stairs (a little like "planking")

foot in the water

admiring a feather

rain on the way

January 19 - flowers and waves

A bit chilly these days and we are just barely eeking out time to get down to the beach.  One wouldn't think it would be such a chore.  Today Dara had a play date after her nap after which we ran down to the beach and then off to Carpenteria for a meeting.  Never a lack of things to do . . .

at the park

heading to the water

watching the waves

not as cold as we thought

flowers by the beach

view of the coast on the way to Carpenteria

January 18 - Playing in the Dirt and Flying Kites

Down to the beach with a stick and a kite.  What a great time we had.  Dara did great playing in the sand, and kite flying. 

Dara flying her new kite

walking on the beach

more kite flying

in the water

playing in the sand

Dara writing her dad's name in the sand "it has to go all the way to the ocean" she says.