Refugio, My Favorito

We spent three glorious, warm, sunny, laid back days at Refugio State Beach, just north of Santa Barbara, over President's Day Weekend.  After selling the pop-up last Spring, we opted to rent a motorhome for the trip and met up with Grandma and Grandpa for the trip.  

 Pancakes and hot chocolate in the trailer were a fun way to start each morning, of course!

Broke was even kind enough to let Grandpa hold her...briefly.

 The first day was warm and sunny, and we spent most of it out on the beach playing volleyball, football and digging.

 The Wilson boys came down for the day, too!  I have a feeling that the head dipping resulted from something Grayson did.  Silly boys!

 Kyle enjoyed bouncing the ball off of Derek's head.

 Later on we hit the bike trail which runs between Refugio and El Capitan State Beach, which is just a few miles north.  It runs along the coast and parallels the train tracks for an up and close sighting of the trains that run by.

 The kids were off like a shot and left this momma on roller blades in the dust.  Wasn't too long ago that we had to practically pull them along to finish any bike ride.  Now we have to holler for them to wait up!

 There may or may not have been a fair amount of screaming coming from the stroller.  She was tired and hungry and didn't want to sit in there!!

 El Capitan has lovely coastline, as well, and a little nature trail.  We found this cool tree in the midst of beautiful greenery.

 This bungee swing was struggling, though.

 I think Derek was in heaven the whole time.  Running, jumping, throwing, riding, climbing, sliding, etc. with Grayson following the whole time had him thrilled...and very exhausted each night.  Nothing like a tired and whining, dirty, sugared up 8 year old boy!

 El Capitan

 Brooke was more interested in chewing Lee's hat.

 The boys throwing rocks at stacks.  Pitching practice?

 Carissa jumping around the rocks.

 LAter that evening it was bath time in the motorhome, continuing in the tradition of kids being bathed in rvs.

 The 3 look-alikes on morning #2.

 After our pre-breakfast walk.

 Walking north along the beach.  We found lots of sea urchins and even rescued a starfish.

 Grandma and Grandpa

 Carissa on a retaining wall built in 1942 that has been partially washed away.

 That water is cold in February!  But it didn't stop ALL 3 kids from going under!

 Jumping waves

 Throwing and skipping rocks.  Grayson felt that his strength would enable  him to skip this boulder.  It was more of a skipping fail.

We all enjoyed the cozy campfires at night, with Grandpa telling stories about bears jumping in vans and past camping tips.

 And the ongoing Dodgers/Giants rivalry was strong as ever.

This about sums up what it's like to have Derek and Grayson along on a camping (or any) trip.  But they kept it lively and we can't wait to go back to Refugio!