Father's Day in De Luz

Happy Father's day, Dad and Dan!

As a last big celebration before Raya leaves for Canada we decided to have a Father's day party at my dad's house.

Ruby is quite the little surfer.

Rocky, my dad's best friend.  

Happy Father's day, Gary! (...who would much rather be behind the camera than in front of it.)  

Happy Father's day, Pete!

Josh found a King snake on the lawn.  

They are so beautiful.  

My dad loves it when the whole fam hangs out at the house (which does not happen too often) so this, along with dinner, was our gift.  

Well, maybe I will get some of these pictures printed for him... 

Yet another fun summer day...

Escondido is fun

Raya, Marla, the girls and I picked up sandwiches at my favorite sandwich shop, Agrusa's (who have been making sandwiches since 1958!) and headed over to Kit Carsen park to enjoy Niki de Saint Phelle's mosaic sculpture garden.  But much like all of the visitors since March 22nd, we left disappointed.  

They are closed for maintenance.  

Raya was still able to see some of the distinct Escondido artwork, even though we were not able to get any closer.

Luckily we had a back up plan, my landlord's pool.  

Not only that but I got to test our underwater camera...

Ruby.

Raya.

Elle.

Elle.

Marla, you are such a ham... love it! 

Yes, Queen Califia was closed but we got to eat yummy sandwiches, and hang out by the pool.  We have nothing to complain about.  Pura vida.  

San O Cabana

Fred and I woke up early to reserve a spot with a campfire ring at San Onofre.  While we were waiting for the rest of the family to join us I took advantage of the low tide and explored the tide pools.  

What a tide pool treat... a sea hare!  I saw over 40 of this species of hermaphroditic sea slug.  Super cool.

Nature is amazing.  

This is me surfing, the waves were not epic but it felt so good to be out in the water.

Elle was super excited to find this dead crab with the eyeballs still attached.  

Ruby relaxing in her hole (a product of Marla's diligence). 

Josh on his boogie board.  

What a gorgeous day at the beach.  We so lucked out... the sun came out for us.  

Raya and I made a yummy vegetarian chili, with mashed potatoes and cheese. 

And of course... s'mores.  

What a great day at the beach!

14 hours of San O later...

  It was well worth it to get the cabana and the fire ring, especially since it turned out to be an absolutely perfect beach day.  

SUP yoga experiment

Raya saw a groupon for SUP yoga at Carlsbad Paddle Club and asked me if I wanted to do the class with her. 

 Ummmm... YES!  

We took the 7:30 am class with Ashton who was an epic instructor.  Raya and I were the only people in the class which allowed us plenty of opportunity to take pictures.  

First Ashton instructed us on how to paddle a paddle board.  It is difficult because the technique is very awkward; both arms straight, knees a little bent, pretending to stab a fish in front of you, then making a figure eight with each stroke, stopping when you reach your feet.   

We got this!  High paddle!  

After ten minutes of paddling we headed back to the studio (behind us), clipped in and did an hour long session (which went by really fast).  

The poses were basic, but basic on a paddle board is not the same as basic in a studio.  Especially when boats go by and create waves.  

All of the poses had at least two points of contact.  At the end I tried some single leg balancing poses.  I failed, and almost ended up in the water (but at least I tried!).  

My view from downward dog.  

SUP yoga is challenging but very rewarding, and peaceful.  

Shavasana with small waves slapping against the bottom of the board and a light mist falling on your face is blissful.