San-O Saturday

San Onofre Beach is one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. It's just 10 min. south of us and if you come for a visit we'll probably take you here. Locals appropriately call this beach "Old Man's". Surfers of all ages enjoy the slow, gentle, and ample waves that are perfect for long boards. This is where I'll probably try to catch one when either the water warms or I find a wetsuit to use (I'm hoping for the latter either way). Well Sam beat me to it yesterday. Yes mark your calendars: On January 31st, 2009, he caught his first wave riding with Dad. I would have loved to get it on video, but I was a little shocked and simply watched in awe. Joe convinced Sam to come out on a standup board where Joe could use a paddle like a kayak. But instead of standing, Joe sat with Sam standing between his legs for stability . I thought they would just paddle, float, and rock a little bit. Within a few strokes they caught their first wave together and I should pass the pen to Dad now as he can better explain that experience.

You all know Sam's famous excited face, where he raises his hands above his head and makes his beautiful enthusiastic music? To hear that music, we needed the help of our friend Robert Zaleski, the art director at our magazine, who was on a surfboard. He gave us a push to get into the wave and I just took a couple of strokes and ruddered a perfect little right hander. Sam stood there and screamed with excitement as he felt the speed of the wave and the board sliding down its face. Unfortunately, no one could hear him because I was hooting too loud. I was just pumped to have Sam out there with me again. I've heard this excited scream before when we were skiing with him in my backpack; or when he's sitting in the front of my kayak as we paddle Dana Point Harbor. At these times, you can literally feel the touch of God in your lap-or strapped on your back. I guess the family that plays together, stays together.

Before long Joe will have two boys along for the ride. Currently Evan is soothed by the continual sound of the crashing waves. He slept most of the afternoon in the Bjiourn, but I did manage to get a picture of him smiling on the towel. The salt air seemed to help his congestion and hopefully we'll be through with colds soon. Sam is better and recently tried to call Ford and Izabel pretending to talk and hoping they would come over and sit at his little table. Before he went to bed last night he said, "I'm a surfer boy". Yes you are.

Me and the boys pretend surfing (above) while Dad shows us how it's really done (below).

Sometimes you get sand in some not-so-comfortable places. Cheers!