“We rest here while we can, but we hear the ocean calling in our dreams”

Sometimes I wonder how many things are passed on genetically other than our physical make up. Both Kevin and I grew up camping at the beach because our parents loved the ocean so much. My parents were never really at home unless they were near the ocean and could hear the waves. Better than any drug man could devise, they were instantly calmed and at peace the moment the water was in view. It’s where my dad wanted to be put to rest after the cancer took him so that we wouldn’t have some sad grave site to visit, we could look at the vast and powerful ocean, very much alive, and know that his soul was too and that we would see him again someday.

Very much in the same way, Kevin and I are drawn to the serenity of the beach, no surprise to those who know us well as we can be found camping there as often as our schedule permits. It is an instant de-stresser for my hard working honey and breathing in the salt air seems to put everything into perspective.

Gavin and I stopped off at Carlsbad State Beach for the night before heading down to Camp Balboa with the scouts to visit some friends of ours from Campus Crusade who were camping there. It is customary for Gavin to find a high place to perch the moment he steps out of the car to take in our home away from home. Between the Danish and the Swedish heritage, Gavin has plenty of “Norseman blood” running through his veins and again I wonder….Perhaps it’s nothing more than the buildup of many good times and fond memories that make the beach special but whatever it is, we all seem to express the same kind of awe and appreciation for God’s creation the moment we arrive. It never lessens. It is humbling to say the least.

I tried to candidly catch him in the act but it’s hard with my 20 pound camera.









Jr. lifeguard training camp.





Small pod of dolphins. I think there were four.


Our friends, the Dobosys.



Teresa's long time friend, Leann and her two boys Chase and Jordan.





Danica Dobosy and her friend Marissa.






Gavin and Chase hamming it up.



Although it was short, Gavin and I had a really great visit with our friends. The next day we were off to Cub Scout Camp at Camp Balboa in San Diego. Posting pics soon.