There are some definite bonuses to living in Southern California. This posting is about just one. Camping! I have had an itch for awhile now to get out and enjoy the outdoors. While most of my family (sorry guys) are up in Utah braving the cold, I am enjoying the beautiful balmy weather down here in Cali. So the picture above is what I picture myself to be in about 50 years. The picture below is me last weekend. It's not really a picture of me, but it gives you an idea of what I did with some friends over the weekend.
Nicole got a phone call from Carinn who said she wanted to come and visit us. Apparently she doesn't like me too much because from what I gathered, she didn't want me around. So Nikki asked if I would like to go camping. Would I?!!! So I called up a buddy, who called up some buddies and before I knew it, we had a plan to go camping and shooting. So we drove up to the Antelope Valley to a place past Mojove, set up the tent trailer and had a great time. We did some shooting, .22 long rifles, multiple 12 gauges, 30-06, .45's, .40's, a couple 9mm's, and many more. Good times. Thanks Nikki for letting me go off and act like a cowboy. So like I said, I am chomping at the bit to go camping. So far I have five campouts planned between now and the first weekend of June. I already turned down an offer to play softball with the guys this spring because I don't want it to get in the way of spending time with my family at the beach's. So below are pictures of the campgrounds or locations I have booked so far.
This is Carpinteria State Beach. It is a great little campground (Always Crowded) near Santa Barbara. Nikki and I are taking the kids this weekend and then we are going to the Santa Barbara Zoo on Saturday.
This is El Capitan State Beach. The campground is up on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. It is a larger campground with lots of trees for shade and privacy. The beach is supposed to be a great scuba/snorkeling location, so I'm sure we will be doing some spear fishing. We are going with a bunch of families from our Ward so it should be a great time.
This is Leo Carrillo State Beach. It's only about 20 minutes from our home so it's a great place to just get up and go to. Of course you can't really do that because you have to book your dates way in advance, but still a great place. Another great place for spear fishing.
This is Wheeler Gorge. A wooded campground up the canyon from Ventura past Ojai. It has a small stream that runs through it and lots of places for the kids to play. This (I think) is where we are having Fathers/Sons this spring. I took Cole last year and he had a blast. I'm still holding off on taking Creed. Maybe next year kid.
This is a picture of two lovers snorkeling in the waters just off Catalina. When I go, there will be no hand holding as it is just a group of guys going (cleverly named Mancation). There will however be lots and lots of dead fish as we are going to be doing some serious spear fishing. A friend of mine has even started a breathing program so that he can increase his ability to stay down under the water for longer periods as we are free diving. If you have never tried it, you need to. Spear fishing is a blast!
This is Carpinteria State Beach. It is a great little campground (Always Crowded) near Santa Barbara. Nikki and I are taking the kids this weekend and then we are going to the Santa Barbara Zoo on Saturday.
This is El Capitan State Beach. The campground is up on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. It is a larger campground with lots of trees for shade and privacy. The beach is supposed to be a great scuba/snorkeling location, so I'm sure we will be doing some spear fishing. We are going with a bunch of families from our Ward so it should be a great time.
This is Leo Carrillo State Beach. It's only about 20 minutes from our home so it's a great place to just get up and go to. Of course you can't really do that because you have to book your dates way in advance, but still a great place. Another great place for spear fishing.
This is Wheeler Gorge. A wooded campground up the canyon from Ventura past Ojai. It has a small stream that runs through it and lots of places for the kids to play. This (I think) is where we are having Fathers/Sons this spring. I took Cole last year and he had a blast. I'm still holding off on taking Creed. Maybe next year kid.
This is a picture of two lovers snorkeling in the waters just off Catalina. When I go, there will be no hand holding as it is just a group of guys going (cleverly named Mancation). There will however be lots and lots of dead fish as we are going to be doing some serious spear fishing. A friend of mine has even started a breathing program so that he can increase his ability to stay down under the water for longer periods as we are free diving. If you have never tried it, you need to. Spear fishing is a blast! So we are going to be on Catalina for 3 days just fishing fishing fishing.
I'm sure that between now and June I'll find some more camping opportunites, but it's a good start I think.
5 comments:
excellent post! ryan and i have been thinking about dabbling in some camping this year now that i'm no longer terrified of taking my children to sleep in a tent. we just might see you out there!
Oh how I love my cowboy!! Funny story, our nosy grandma neighbor was talking to us while the kids were playing and she said "SO is Mike going on a stake out?" Why do you ask? She said she saw him loading up his tent trailer with 3 different guns and how exciting his job must be. I was like, no they went to shoot old computers and tvs in the desert. Oh. She wasn't quite as excited after that
As soon as Brent and I get down there, we will have to join you. I cannot wait to camp. We haven't gone since before I was pregnant with Kirsi!
Mike I want to go on a mancation with you! That would be awesome! Those places look like lots of fun. I bet the fish that you spear are extra good.
I cannot believe you planned so many trips already. Hopefully when we get out to Cali we can go on some with you guys. My wife could not wait to go on vacation and so she took the kids and left to Peru.
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