Well its a tent and a beach, I call it Beach Camping!!!

Carlsbad State Beach Campsite

Ever been camping on a beach? I hadn't. What an experience!!! Between being right next to civilization and right next to a TON of other campers, this trip was different than anything I had done before.

Camping to me is: fresh mountain air, big forest trees, naturally made shade, firewood galore, dirt, twigs, rocks, lakes and streams, fishing and hiking, dutch oven cooking, sweaters and coats, and freezing cold nights and warm/hot days.

Beach camping isn't any of that. Instead of fresh mountain air, it's fresh ocean breeze air. Instead of big forest trees, it's palm trees and weird looking bush trees. Instead of a ton of naturally made shade it's shade made by canopies. We didn't have firewood that we could go round up around the camp, instead we could go buy it from the camp store. Instead of dirt and twigs, we had sand and pokies. There wasn't a lake or any streams, but the big body of water couldn't be missed. I froze some nights but was perfectly fine sleeping with one blanket over me.

Now it might seem from all that comparison that I didn't enjoy myself, but that isn't the truth. I had a blast!!! I drove for the first time in California (despite all the times I have been there before). I fell asleep to the sound of waves. I finally got the sun kissed look to my, arms (wish it could have been more than that). I got to know my in-laws better. And last but not least, I saw gorgeous sunsets (well pretty much only one night turned out to be a full sunset).

Second night. It started great, but the sun fell down behind the clouds.

Third night (last night there)

still first night (to lazy to move this up one photo)

Oh man do I love sunsets!!! They just might be the best thing about night time.

Now if you are like me (before this trip) you might wonder what you do all day when camping at the beach?

Well lets see, there is a lot of

And a whole lot of

And even more

And some bare foot walks

And some playing in the sand

And one year olds skateboarding (and loving it I might add)

And a ton of exercise 

And people spending time together

This trip was a ton of driving and even more so a ton of relaxing. The whole point of this trip is to get away from reality, to escape into that quiet haven we rarely get to because we are so caught up in what is going on around us. But on this trip I actually was able to escape. I rarely thought about our house, my job, or anything else going on in my life. What I thought about was so much better. NOTHING. That is right, I thought about nothing. Mel said on this trip it is almost so boring (in a good way) that you don't think about anything. She was right!!!

This was a much needed vacation :)