Later, the kids cautiously approached me and asked if we could go to the beach. I assumed that this was a peace offering, because my kids know that nothing soothes a savage mommy like sand between her toes by the big, blue sea. Then they reminded me that last weekend I had promised that the very next time we went to the beach, we would set out to find the secret beach.
I might be mean when they eat my chili, but I'm usually good for a promise. So we parked at the beach in the usual spot, but instead of ambling down toward the sand and surf before us, we headed south in search of the secret beach that my boy had visited one day when he was at the beach with friends.
We started off toward the pier
and then continued right past that bad boy, pausing to look back at our regular stomping grounds
Secret? Yes. Secluded? Not so much. This area of the cliffs was crawling with peeps, perhaps due to the conspicuous absence of booze prohibiting life guards. And me without my cooler.
.
While we traversed the moon-like, criminally damaged cliffs, my boy eagerly described the passageways we would soon encounter. I was dubious.
.
But then we arrived here...
Always strategizing, these two
.
What a great spot. So what if it is just as easily reached by street and staircase ... our route was so much more adventurous! The kids swam and jumped and scrambled and gave me heart attacks and then went back and jumped some more. It was a really special, unexpected afternoon.
We celebrated our triumphant return with fish tacos, fries, and a screwdriver.
oh JEALOUS can't even begin to describe my feelings right now...did you have to end it with fish tacos?!?
ReplyDeletethat's just cruel and unusual punishment for someone stuck in central PA with neither a body of water nor a great, local mexican place in sight!
I now believe that I would be a much better mother if all my frustrations with stupid child errs could be followed by an afternoon like yours...
I guess I should tell my kids to start saving their $$$ 'cause we need to spend their teen years in San Diego! :)
(just make sure my 9 yr old doesn't end up with Beth's 3rd grade teacher)
Oh, Jacquie, I love this. I love the Secret Beach! What a great day. Except for your lack of a cooler. What up wid dat? What has happened to you?
ReplyDeleteWe had fish tacos yesterday, too, with leftie blackened mahi-mahi from our big anniversary dinner out on Saturday night. Is there anything better? No, there is not.
I'm so glad your day was salvaged in such a spectacular way. Maybe your boy had it all planned it. Maybe their strategizing on the beach was about ruining Mommy's lunch next weekend as well, forcing her to take them on another fabulous outing.
Smart kids.
Ellie
The secret beach -- what a good mama!
ReplyDeleteI dread the day the girls start edging in on my lefties. My husband is already making it difficult, competing with them too? I'll stand very little chance.
Nice photos, J!
Beth
Yes, it's a pretty beach. But you wouldn't get me into that rockhole for a million bucks. I'm getting a little queasy just seeing the photos.
ReplyDelete