This year’s Aveson camping trip was a change from the usual trip to Anza Borrego. I think many people had had enough of the desert and so this year it was beach camping at El Capitan State Beach. I like going to the desert, but I was happy for the change, especially since, when I was growing up, my family spent a week every summer at El Capitan until I was about 14 years old. I couldn’t wait to see what had changed and what had stayed the same, and how the reality differed from my memory of the place.
Our group campsite was up on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The views were tremendous.
Here’s our little tent city on the first evening.
The kids were in heaven — there were bike paths all over the campground which afforded them quite a bit of freedom to ride around without adults. Here’s a picture of Ezra and Jack taking a break from bike/scooter riding.
We all realized when we got back that none of us took pictures of the kids riding their bikes. I think we were so pleased that they were safe and we could relax that we didn’t think to pull out the camera!
After a couple of hours of bike riding on the first day, Bruce and the kids went down to the beach. Cari and I got in a great walk over to Refugio State Beach about two miles up the coast. Part of the path was closed due to storm damage but we took the little work-around the fence and continued on our walk. The scenery was quite pleasant.
When we got back we helped the kids get showered and de-sanded and Bruce and Rob got started on a contest for who had the best dinner. We were ill prepared for such a contest, bringing Trader Joe’s tomato soup and stuff for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Rob had Trader Joe’s cornbread (the clear winner) and spaghetti.
I’m not sure a winner was ever officially declared, but the two participants took things quite seriously.
After our dinner, the kids roamed around with friends. Here’s Finn and some lady-friends, the Pinto girls and Sage from his class.
Of course, there were s’mores. Taking an idea from Auntie Eli, we took Peeps to roast. They were a hit.
Ezra was more interested in burning marshmallows to make sculptures. He had a whole system worked out.
We all hit the hay pretty early. I made some attempt to read on my Kindle, but I’m pretty sure I was the first one asleep in our tent. It turned out to be a rough night with uncommon winds blowing the tents around. Our tent stands up to the wind pretty well, but it’s loud. Some friends’ tents nearly collapsed.
The next morning was chilly but comfortable as we all had breakfast and enjoyed the sunrise.
Ezra took a little siesta after breakfast to have a quiet moment with his Calvin & Hobbes book.
Later we went down to the beach (where Ezra and his friends had been for hours). They’d been creating structures out of sand and seaweed and generally just having a great time.
There was the obligatory wave jumping with dads.
And finally Ezra slowed down long enough to have some lunch. He was starving.
Then he had a little rest in the warm sand.
Finally we dragged the worn out kids back up to the campsite, got them showered and got ready for the potluck. Unfortunately, we also had to pack up and get ready to leave after dinner, but thankfully the kids had a great time with their friends while Bruce and I loaded up the car.
There was more marshmallow roasting, too.
We had to drag Finn out about 8:00. He was so tired he couldn’t see straight, but was insistent that he just needed to play a little longer. After we finally got him settled in the car, he fell asleep before we were out of the campground. Even Ezra fell asleep on the drive home, a rare occurrence for him these days.
I have a few more pictures here. We are definitely looking forward to next year’s trip!