This morning we woke up bright and early and took off for Ventura and the ocean. The day started off typically for me...we stopped to get doughnuts and milk for breakfast and naturally I dropped a chocolate milk on the floor where it busted all over everything including my feet and legs. Nothing like having milk between your toes to start the day off right! And as is also typical we had a good laugh about it. Don't cry over spilt milk right? After filling our tanks on the goods we made it to the beach, bolted from the car, dropped our shoes in the sand and took off! Talk about cold! Watching the kids play in the water was an absolute blast. I am so accustomed to the Atlantic and the Gulf that is was almost disorienting to not see the sun rising as we looked out across the ocean but to have it rising at our backs instead.
I can't find the words to describe the feeling of standing at the ocean as the sun began to burn through the morning fog, the salt water lapping at my feet, the sound of my kids squealing with delight as they raced through the waves mingled with the roar of the surf. I never experience something like that without wishing the rest of my family was there with me all wrapped up with feeling gratitude that my immediate one is. Nor can I have my senses flooded with that kind of beauty without thanking God for his creations and the ability and opportunity to experience it. I have a feeling that I will experience that more than once this trip.
We picked up a few beach souvenirs in the form of driftwood and rocks, then headed back towards Santa Clarita on our way up to Shaver Lake. We learned that in California it is "The 5"...not Interstate 5 or Highway 5, but "The 5". Yup, still chuckling about that. The road between Santa Clarita and Ventura is full of orange and lemon orchards, so we made sure to stop at a fresh fruit stand on the side of the road. I bought 3 huge grapefruit, 5 oranges, 4 lemons, and 4 apples for $5.40! It was fun to see the huge truck loads of lemons being hauled down the road. We were suprised to see mile after mile after mile of agriculture as we headed towards Fresno. The vineyards and grove after grove of fruit trees was beautiful. It is something Clint and I have never seen before. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the drastic change in landscape as we make our way up to Shaver Lake. From desert, to desert mountains, and then suddenly to mountains within a few miles is fascinating. I can hardly wait to see Papa, Becky, Ava, Kavae, and Melvin, William and Alison (Arash, Dillon, and Corinne aren't coming dang it!) and can hardly wait to go to Yosemite tomorrow!
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