The Perfect End to a Great Day!

Roasting S'mores over an open fire is the perfect end to our day. Tomorrow we go on a whale watching expedition. The grey whales are migrating through this area right now. The cruise will also take us around the Channel Islands. I can' wait! Goodnight.

Just a little ice cream, Connor?

We ate our home made lemon ice cream today. Me, Ted and Connor loved it. Evan and Lacy...not so much. Here, Pepe is hoping for a lick!

Can't-Hold-On-Much-Longer!

Here, Evan goofs around by jumping from the picnic table to my open window while I worked on my computer planning the rest of our trip! He did eventually have to drop.

The Doggie Park for Pepe!

After being alone while we were gone, Pepe was rewarded with a trip to the Doggie Park where we were staying. Here we can take him off leash and he can run and play (and do his thing) while we visit. He loves it here!

A Helping Hand From Daddy

Let me tell you, Ted had to marry someone younger because someone his age could never keep up with him. He ran the same distance we rode and we were all tuckered out on the way back. Here Ted is running up a hill, pushing Evan as he goes along. It doesn't end there. Ted also pushed mine and Evan's bikes up the embankment to the RV park. We were on our last leg...but not the EverReady Bunny [Ted]!

From High Cliffs we Watched the Fog Come In

From these cliffs we could see this wall of fog approach. It was like a blanket being thrown over the area. It was amazing to see. When we got back to the bus, we could not even see the ocean for all the fog.

Rocks, shells and bones

The kids spent a lot of time with their pants rolled up collecting neat things along the shore. Just over the boys' shoulder are 15 or more surfers in wet suits just waiting for the next wave. They have had some exceptionally good waves here lately. One a few days ago swept some onlookers on the beach into sea.

First look at the ocean

Imagine us on our bikes, riding through heavy woods, then we crest over a hill and there is the Pacific Ocean. It was really a neat experience.

El Capitan

There is no one picture that can capture our bike ride through the El Capitan State Beach. It was breath-taking. The kids and I biked and ted jogged through this park. The Pacific waves crashed against the rocks and cliffs looked down over the sea. It was just wonderful!

The Yurt

This was a first for the kids. These yurts are basically fancy tents. They have all shapes and sizes. This one was the bottom of the line variety. I will take the RV thank-you-very-much!

The Bill Wallace Trail

We did not hike the entire 11 mile trail, but this resort - Ocean Mesa at El Capitan - would be worth visiting if you are in Santa Barbara. They have cabins and yurts as well as the RV park. There is so much to do and it is a really beautiful canyon across from the Pacific Ocean.

Ted's Sourdough Wafers

We all ate lunch in the canyon and Ted bought these GROSS crackers that looked really healthy. Actually, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere was breathtaking.

Morning Office and School

This morning was spent with Ted at "the Office" (you can see him out the window on the picnic table he set up as his office today), and the kids at school. The kids focused well and at around 2:00 we all quit for the day and hiked to a really neat deli in the Canyon.