Prior to now, I have never been much of a beach person, despite growing up a mere twenty minutes from the Pacific Ocean. I don't like to be hot or sit in the sun, I'm not a swimmer and I don't tan. While we usually have managed to get to the beach at least once per California trip, our visits consist of dropping by while in the area for something else, in street clothes, walking around a while, and then leaving. I like the ocean to look at; I think it's beautiful and I'd love to live near it. I've just never been inclined to be an actual beach bum.

This trip Robert took the kids to Morro Bay one day (in their regular clothes) and they had a blast. First they fed the squirrels but then went down to the water and ran around. He promised they could go back to the beach a few days later and asked me if I wanted to go. We decided that we would actually take swimsuits and other supplies and go spend some time there. So, off we went to Avila Beach. And do you know? We had a great time! I was slightly dubious, being that Eliza is still pretty young. I didn't know if she'd try to wander off a lot, or keep trying to banzai into the water. But she was no problem. She walked around a bit but stayed in the vicinity of our spot. She did like the water but was happy to come back to our area and sit and play.

All in all it was a lovely afternoon and I came away finding myself very gung-ho about returning. This time, though, I wanted to really go the whole nine yards. I went out and bought a portable beach shelter, a beach umbrella, beach bags and various beach toys for the kids. We packed a cooler with sandwiches and drinks and we headed off to Avila again this past Saturday. We were there from 12-6 and, again, had a great time. I think we're going to be spending a lot more time at the beach in future trips, now that the kids are getting older. I'm even window-shopping for equipment for next summer -- a larger, easier-to-handle shelter and a beach cart to wheel our paraphernalia. Apparently I am more of a beach person than I thought. And well I should be. I mean, here we're coming from a landlocked state where our only "beach" options are lakes (most of which are full of drunk rednecks). We ought to be taking advantage of being here.

All this blah blah blah is not without reason, by the way. What I'm leading up to is, of course....beach pictures! Click below to view them.