Easter Break

Lauren had a varsity softball tournament in Santa Maria, CA 4.13-15, so we left two days earlier to spend family time at the coast for Easter. We spent time in Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Cambria and Solvang.

Lauren had a softball tournament here at

Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles a few years back.

Good memories so we decided to stop and revisit.

I spent a lot of time on these bleachers

Lauren on a walkway overlooking the beach.

It was a bit chilly this morning.

Kirk looked on-line and found that Bien Nacido Vineyards in Santa Maria was conducting a walking tour. Our guide at explains the growing season and how the vines are attached.

Such a beautiful day to be strolling the vineyard

Our next stop was in Solvang, a town fashioned after its Danish settlers. Kirk wanted these aebleskivers (a round Danish pancake), covered with raspberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Kirk's other place (Linn's Bakery in Cambria) He loves Linn's olallieberry pie. We drive here just for this ...

For dinner, we drove to Pismo Beach for clam chowder with fish and chips. Kirk and Lauren snag a window seat at
Splash Cafe. Can you see my reflection on the left, snapping their picture?

Fish and chips for Lauren! Pass the malt vinegar, please.

The next morning, we head to Montana de Oro State Park. We used to take Lauren to the tidepools here when she was little (doesn't remember, she says. Should have waited to do all those things when she got older and remembered the experiences!)

This animal started staring at Kirk. Perched, ready to attack. Nah! Just kidding. It was a stuffed animal on display at the Visitor Center.

Hiking down to the tidepools, Lauren soaks in the ocean view

Following my troops down to the ocean

The sound of the waves crashing and the salty ocean air is so settling. We're headed down there ... Corallina Cove

She found a couple little starfishes here. Not the orange starfish, but the ones that camoflauge in these rocks.

Lauren is stepping onto the next little tidepool

She was happy to be out and about today. Me, too.

Lauren's blue toenails. She matches the ocean.

No words spoken. Just soaking in the day.

Avila Pier
Kirk & Lauren went to sleep on the beach, so I strolled the pier.

Some things you never outgrow. Like playing in the sand.

I told Lauren she looked like a snickerdoodle. Her face was "sanded" like a sugar cookie. She smiled. She likes snickerdoodles. Softball tournament starts tomorrow so this downtime with family has been good. Very good.

To see more photos taken during Easter Break, click here.