A month ago, our good friends from Virginia Beach, Jeff, Stephanie, and their little guy Conner (who turned 1 recently) took a 4 week vacay to the beautiful town of San Luis Obispo, also known as SLO for those who want to sound cool and local. Or for those that don't know quite how to pronounce it... San Louie, San Lu-is? However you pronounce it, it's a ca-uuuute little town.
And when we figured out that it was only a 2 hour drive away, we packed right up and hit that 2 lane stretch of highway twisting and turning through tree-speckled hills and hazy mountains. Out of our valley of smog-filled air, and near the coast of cool temps with wide open spaces filled with a fresh breath of air...
We were greeted with temps in the high 60s. Rejuvenating to say the least. We decided to take the 15 minute drive and spend the afternoon at Avila Beach, where those low 60s revved. A very cute beach indeed. And five bucks for all day parking, can't beat that.
I'm usually the queen of prepared. I bring a change of clothes for everyone, extra this, extra that. But I never thought that it would truly be chilly. How can weather that is sweltering where we live, be that much different 2 hours out? Well it was, and I felt unprepared. I did bring a thin cardigan, and the kids had a blanket. The breeze was cool while lying on the beach, and that felt amazing. And finally around 3:00, I think it reached the 80s. A little late, and very strange. I think I could live here though. I think I could actually live here.
Brenner was not excited about the cold ocean waves...
Emmy was thrilled!
There were shops lining the street with pets sitting outside of storefronts drinking up cold drops of water. The beach was scattered with kids frolicking, and families relaxing with a sandcastle here and a frisbee flying overhead there. There was live music set up on the patio of one of the restaurants. There were mommies and daddies taking their little ones to the outdoor shower to wash the fun of an afternoon on a sandy beach off their little, wet and wiggly swim-suited bodies. Well you can wash away the sandy bits and sweat mixed with sunscreen, at least some of it, but you cannot wash away the fun of a day at the beach. Yes, I could definitely live here.
Wade and Jeff were crazy. The water was freezing. But as all men need to prove their manliness...
Then we found a shipwreck park which was way cool. Swings, slides, a ship and dolphin sculptures to play on...
The kiddos had a blast and the parents didn't complain either. We miss this family from VA so much and wish we could always be a short drive away from each other... But we were excited to spend the day in their company. And excited to meet little Mr. Conner for the first time. He's just a dream. Very sweet. Very handsome. We'll miss you Stephanie and Jeff!
