This has been the only weekend we've been able to really get out and explore. For most of our time here we've been sick and/or Phillip's work has required him to be close on Saturday's. Yesterday, we found two different county parks and did a bit of rock climbing ~ our version~ which is far from professional by any stretch of the imagination. As usual, we head out without really knowing what the day will hold. After finding the first park, where GOLD was first discovered, we were all hungry and found ourselves in the tiny community of Aqua Dulce. I know you hear me say this all the time, but again, it was a gift from the God.   Away from the city, traffic and people we ate lunch at the Sweetwater Cafe ~ country music playing on the radio, an antique store next door and horses!! Well, on the farms not at the cafe.  It was so refreshing.

And today we headed out to make the trek up Pacific Coast Highway. It was absolutely beautiful. I can't seem to wrap my brain around the fact that there are mountains so close to the shoreline. I'm just not accustomed to seeing that in my neck of the woods. We found several places to stop and eventually ended up at a place called Paradise Cove Beach Cafe. A bit pricey but it was fun. While we waited for our table we walked along the beach, studied the tide pools and took in the beauty of it all. Though we had to wait for a table, it wasn't really crowded because it was actually a "gated" little place where you had to pay to get in. We opted to pay the $3/4hr restaurant option and it was plenty of time for us there. I've posted a few pictures of our day below. 

 "Hanging on for dear life"

 ~Two Cuties~

 Mom and Dad

 A sign at Paradise Cove ~ it truly was such a nice, family-friendly place

~Lollie Lou~

Happy New Year!

~Angela