Although we walk the coast and have scoped other beaches, we have made the closest outlet to home our main go-to. In the morning, I run up through the mountains of Las Catalinas or over to Potrero Center, and I try to get lost, but I usually end up at our beach to dunk, Virginia Woolf style. It's good to have a base. I wave to the ChickenMan, and slip home barefoot to gather the beasts for breakfast and beach. It's fair to say that the restaurant on the way to our beach base, The Shack, has also been a daily stop. Senior Harry and Seniorita Joselin take care of the boys and feed me coffees. Nate got his hand stuck in the tip jar after our first meal there, and left a favorable impression. [Shout out to The Shack: https://m.facebook.com/TheShackCR?refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheShackCR]
So the boys have grown with the tide and waves, and we are regulars. Next step: swimming.
Only a matter of time before the waves call you deeper. As the boys grew comfortable in our routine, they began to trust their understanding of the water. Max and I began swimming out to the dock (maybe 800ft out-maybe less/more, the tide and waves skew my estimation). Learning how to go with the waves, to sync and steady breathing was a challenge for Max. It's a super zen concept, so watching him click and GET it, was so excellent. He still doesn't like the dock, and wears an expression similar to the one he had when he was small and chubby, and the Christmas train spontaneously ran by. He hates not knowing if the dock will move. If it is securely tied. If it will carry us out to sea, and turn us into a Far Side cartoon. He trusts not.
Natey conquered his own trust issues. First predicting and riding the waves,
then "I CAN'T STAND...but I can swim."
then floating,
then diving.
Whenever I feel antsy about the monotonous tone of our day, I think of this. Both boys are owning their confidence, and surviving in the water, by dancing.
"It's all a dance, doll" ~ o.Coco
Nate Stroke
Dock
Beautiful Joselin at The Shack