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.

January 17 - No Wind for Kites

Dara got a kite for her birthday so we decided to try to go to the park and see if there was enough wind.  With little success at the park we thought we would try plan B and headed for the beach.  Unfortunately today was a remarkably calm day.  And while we are mostly happy for calm days - it is not so good when one is trying to fly a kite.  I was able to get it in the air, but not enough for Dara to be able to hang onto it.  Luckily she loves the beach and the sand and we have dubbed this year "The year of getting Dirty".  One might ask why - well in all honesty I have spent the first 3 years of Dara's life trying to not let her get dirty, because I really do not like cleaning.  However, I have noticed that she has a bit of an aversion to dirt (with the exception of sand).  Dara spent a good deal of time rolling around in the sand on this beach trip - and then continued to remind me that this was the Year of Getting Dirty!!!

sand angels!!!

buried feet

Pier and waves - gorgeous

shadow from the water

Dara, kite and Pier.

p.s. - Christina - this is what I was doing when I was talking with you about running, ministry and kids.

January 16 - In the Night (ok like 6:30)

Well, I probably have a better setting on my camera for night pictures, but I have not figured it out yet - and I guess it wasn't happening as I went down to touch the water.  We had a busy day today for Dara's birthday and I did not make it down to the water, so when Tim got home we tried to make it happen.  Tim and Dara drove me down and parked as close as then could.  I walked across the promenade and past a group of guys chatting.  Down the dark, dark stairs to the water and hoped I was not going to get bowled over by a wave.  It was dark . . .

it's dark

feet in the foam

Tim and Dara in the car

January 15 - The Beginning the Celebration

Dara turns 3 tomorrow and so we decided to celebrate a little early with the Jones family and head to the spot where she had her first birthday.  I preached at 3 services in the morning and then met Tim and Dara at the beach (Surfer's Point).  Once the Micah got there we played a little and ate some cake, but it was a surprisingly cold day so the festivities did not last too long . . . Dara and Tim did see a Red Tail Hawk on the beach before I got there.

Dara watches a hawk (if you can't see it here, check the last pic)

Cairns at the point with surfers in the background

feet in the water

rocks and water

laughing friends

ready for cake

hawk by the water

January 14 - Early Morning

Had an all day meeting in Pasedena today and got up early for a workout and then a quick stop at the beach.  The walk on the sand was so cold.  So cold that my legs ached.  I was so glad to get to the water, and to know that the walk back to the car was not far.  What impressed me most was how warm the water felt - beautiful amazing morning!

soft morning colors

warm water

view from the car