Dear Reader,

today was a day that was supposed to be drudgery, but through kismet and good humor it was just a brilliant day.  Today, I was dreading the collection of miscellaneous items from the Oxnard House I rented through VRBO.  So, after depositing Big G in his lego robotics class, Little G and I hit the road.

Goodbye Santa Monica

Little G, now 10.5 years, was talkative the entire drive.  Really, Little G had the choice of entertainment to play on his iPad or talk and for the first time in our history together, he chose to talk.  We had wonderful conversations and, truly, I find Little G to be hilarious.  I know I am biased, but the kid can get me laughing.  Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the drive from Santa Monica to Oxnard is gorgeous.  We talked about the low tide (and why there are tides), we talked about kite surfing and the irrational fear we both have that both are arms would be drawn off our bodies if ever we were to try the sport, we talked about sand dunes and migrant workers.

Transitioning on to PCH

The beginning of a gorgeous drive

A great beach for the day- north of Malibu

Sand dunes on PCH

Oxnard agriculture- lots of strawberries are grown here

We loaded up the car in about two hours and were returning home.  We decided to go and have lunch on the Malibu Pier at Malibu Farm- a great stop for lunch.

The Malibu Peir

The Boardwalk

The grub- Kale Caesar with Chicken- yummy!

And then, if the day couldn’t get any better- Little G agreed to go on a hike.  Not just any hike- a big hike in terms of descents and ascents (think 511 stairs straight up the side of a hill to the top).  We had great talks throughout the hike with no whining (except from the dog at the end of the 4 miles).  My baby has grown up and I can begin to see the dude that he is becoming.  I was so proud and so impressed.

Little G in the valley on a makeshift log swing.

Stairs tagged by idiots- 511 steps straight up

Looking down at the stairs- that disappear into the abyss

View from the top- a perfect day.