Laboring in Morro Bay

Since moving to California, we try to get to Morro Bay at least a couple times each year.  With going so often, it would seem like we would just be doing the same things over and over, but like the sand that blows on the beach, it is never the same.  Each trip has different discoveries and adventures.  Here is some of the latest trip we made over the Labor Day weekend.

To get a head start on holiday traffic, the kids and I left straight from school, driving halfway to Ventura.  We stopped and played at the beach and at the park for a few hours.  Once James was done with work, he was able to catch a train to meet up with us and we continued the trip up north.

There was a new trail-an extension built along the beach by Morro Rock.  The kids loved the small sand dunes that were right there to run and jump down.  

Brielle told us she wasn't going to get wet.  She was just going to take a book and read on the beach....she changed her mind once she got there and had a great time.

We had been to the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve once, but went back to finish exploring.  Preston liked watching the ducks fly over the ponds and kept trying to get them to perform for him.  "fly ducks, fly!"

He also decided he wanted to be our photographer for the trip.

While walking along the bluffs at Montoña de Oro, James and the big kids discovered a blow hole.  It was mesmerizing to watch the waves come in and try to guess how big the spray would be.

The kids really wanted to go kayaking, since we didn't get a chance to last time we were there.

It was a lot of work for James, going back and forth to bring us, then the kayak over to the beach so we could kayak over to the spit.  The kids were learning how to paddle as well, so maybe James won't have to do all the work in the future.

We had the beach on the spit almost to ourselves with a great view of Morro Rock.  

James taught the art of making balls out of sand...

the kids loved being able to make their own and throwing them in the water.

Preston couldn't get the hang of making his own, but loved having James make them for him so he could throw them.

And in between hikes and play on the beach, we relaxed at the house.  Playing, reading, watching football.