Baja

Back from another incredible trip and feeling more awe struck than ever. If you ask Eden, she would tell you that this was our best trip to Baja ever. And to her credit it does seem that each year we have gone with the kids has just gotten better and better. Although this year they were so independent, as compared to other years, that I couldn't help but have this false sense of obsoleteness at times. And I say it was a false sense because in many ways they needed us more than ever. This year it also felt safer than ever with more Americans than we have seen down there in a long time. And for one of the first times ever, we actually ran into other families camping with small children. In fact, one of the highlights of the trip for all of us was all of the wonderful people we were able to meet and spend time with along the way. 

Jon let the kids drive a bit on the dirt road in. This was especially thrilling to Zi who repeatedly announced that this was his first time driving(!). He couldn't get enough.

As soon as we got to camp the kids let loose onto the sand dunes and we could hardly keep up with them from that point on.

Camp was pretty crowded when we first arrived. I was feeling pretty bummed out to be there with so many people. But as it turns out each and every person that was there was really very cool and fun to be around. It also helped that it didn't take long for camp to clear out and we had it practically to ourselves again.  

The evening sunsets were unreal.

Sunrise in the dunes

Zi hit a wall on Day 2. I was taking pics of Eden surfing and next thing I knew he had found a cozy spot to curl up with Klamath on the rocks. He would have past out if I hadn't come to bug him with my mamarazzi camera.

Eden was really into art on this trip - proclaiming several time, with absolute certainty, that she wants to be an artist when she grows up.

A quiet moment for mom while the kids played.

This year the kids were all about fishing. Baiting their own hooks and casting into the tide pools for hours.

We had the craziest most beautiful weather this trip - one evening we had the most beautiful lightning show and the next there was a warm almost tropical rain shower.

Another sunrise in the dunes

Bathroom Vibes

Eden really started to get the hang of going down the line this trip. I think it got Jonny all fired up. Has anyone ever seen him claim like this before?

Eden and Jonny star gazing

When Eden showed this pic to our camping neighbors they immediately asked - "Whose birthday is it?". My birthday was the following day. I will always treasure this pic as my birthday drawing from Eden. 

Eden drawing while Jon fishes

Eden reeling in a big one.

Corbina

This is Catherine and Robert. At one point when I asked Zi what his favorite part of the trip was he said playing with his friends (referring to these guys) even though their were other kids his own age that he played with as well. These two were really special though and incredibly sweet to the kids. It was an honor to spend time with them. 

Fish cleaning 101

I love this pic of Zi and Jon with Klamath chasing after them.

This guy was in his 70s, maybe 77? And he had been coming down to Baja for years and years. Apparently he was a big free diver back in the day and came down to the pacific side with his buddy on these vehicles to explore parts of Baja they had not yet seen. Jon made fast friends with these guys and could have talked to them for days. 

Eden and her buddy Landon. He and Eden became fast friends and had the best time tromping around together.

Thanks to some camp cooking advise from my dear friend Jen we were even able to cook up a cake on my birthday!

The grom squad

After we found this starfish Eden drug it around for quite a while. Holding it up just as you see in the pics - like a precious possession.

This was the best wave of Eden's life to date. She was able to turn her board and go down the line - even dragging her hand along the wave at one point - Jon and I were freaking!

Mommy surfing - I had my first successful rides on a real longboard this trip. Something I have never quite been able to accomplish in the past. But all the credit goes to Chris Christensen's boards - every single one seems to ride like magic.

The empty dirt roads are truly intoxicating.

Yucca bonfire with friends

My little collector of all things was in collecting heaven.

Bocci Ball on the dunes

Our Motley Crew

Yucca in Bloom - we have rarely seen these with their flowers

Rock climbing

Let me tell you the story behind this fish (according to Jon) - As Jon was reeling this fish in he was wondering how he was gonna pull it up from the rocks without breaking his line. Next thing he knew Klamath was in the water. Klamath grabbed the fish in his mouth, brought it up the rocks, and dropped it down by Jonny's feet. Perhaps he is a good fishing partner after all. He is now 1 for 200 on his fishing exploits. 

Wild life

An evening surf for the boys

Playing with glow sticks

Zion saying good-bye to the "bumpy bumps". When we first pulled up to camp, apparently Zion said to Jon - "Look Dad! It looks like a giant skate park!"

Good-bye Cardon, I don't think we can wait a whole year till we see you again.