Central Coast Surf Trip

There are so many perks to homeschooling. One of the best parts is going on little adventures during random times during the week. We can enjoy things on an off season where people are doing other regular things like being in school or going to work. A few weeks ago together with 2 other families, we trekked to the Central coast to take our kids surfing. We'd been waiting for months to make this happen since it was rescheduled from early spring to late summer. The anticipation was great and our time had come. Our adventure began on a Wednesday evening when my kids and I arrive to our hotel. We got a late start, but we made it to our San Luis Obispo hotel just in enough time to take advantage of the time there. Here are some random happy moments from our surf trip. 

Hotel Arrival and Pool Adventures

• Late evening turned to night swim in semi-heated pool.  New friends make connections and new neighbors find commonality, all by the poolside. 
• Flatbread margherita pizza, apple and brie sandwich we eat while shivering next to the outdoor heat lamp. 
• Fire pit gathering with Lozito and Dean kids. For a moment we watch and forget we have children. We appreciate their laughs and giggles they get to have before the next day's adventure awaits. 

Surf Morning and Surf Fun 

• People watching during breakfast. The foreign looking smartly dressed family of mom, dad, son, daughter captured our attention. Mom with bags under her eyes, Dad with confident expression, gobbling food as he walked outside. Son and daughter expressed curious looks as they smiled at Shiloh, Norah and Benjamin. There was a mutual subconscious connection as they exchanged glances. Maybe they were watching us, like we were watching them. 
• 4 adventurous cousin-friends lay flat on their surfboards far out in the ocean. They chat and hang out as they wait for the next wave to come with their surf coaches.  I see them and I feel as if I'm out there with them riding the waves. 

Street Stroll, Lunch, and More Beach Fun

• Group stroll to the sandwich spot, with empty streets and empty restaurants. Trickles of older people appeared here and there, but the town was mostly quiet. The suggested 6 minute walk from the beach was more like an 8 or 9 minute walk as we sashayed and strolled. Sashayed and strolled. No hurry, no worry. 
• Prayer said among the 4 families represented. Comment from interested onlooker, "That was beautiful, keep praying." 
• Smiley, jovial CeCe, the cashier at Hoagies. I appreciated the reggae music, interesting decor, and clean bathrooms. What the sandwich lacked in veggie options and robust flavors, CeCe somewhat made up for it in smiles, kindness, and a free drink.  
• Back to the beach with boogie boards for all to enjoy.

A Speedy Send Off and Sunset Drive Home 

• Ally's Nick and Boualai helped us make our goal of departing at 5:00 from their house.  Boogie boards dropped off, Showers taken, quick chat and a few laughs then a good send off.  Our arrival to their home at 4:26, departure at 4:56.  We did it. It happened.  We left when we said we would.  We can keep our word. We are timely people. 
• We recount the day on the drive home. The beautiful sunset guides us along highway 41. It's a simple stretch that takes us directly home. We listen to Cousin Quinn's campaign speech, a couple Marcos, a couple stories. Almost home, and in bed we go. 

I'm so thankful for these moments. I enjoyed every bit. I love I have chill people to hang out with. I like that my kids can enjoy time with good kids. The freedom and joy of educating my kids like this is just so irresistible. I look forward to more adventures this year. I'm so grateful I get to live like this with my children.