Take Off Tuesday to Malibu

I take the 5 Freeway to the 134 West until the 101 North. I just want to be on the beach. I have my surfboard, ice chest, and tent.

I left Pico Rivera, Calif. and 1.5 hours later I made it to Sycamore Canyon Campground that is settled in the Santa Monica Mountains off PCH in Ventura County.

Canyon- Campground- Beach

I set up camp and head to the beach. My cousins are there, about 12 deep.  I spot them chilling under a few umbrellas with drinks in hand. I feel like I am walking into a commercial.

It is a slice of prime shoreline on the Pacific Ocean, the sand softer and rich in dark tones.

If you come out early in the morning while the fog rests in the canyon I feel like I am in Iceland. The pictures I've seen show black sand and cold water with white spray.

I dive in this morning. A rush of sensational fills all holes in my body and I close my eyes underneath the surface. I am weightless and blind in that moment.

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A small sandy bluff into some rocky terrain and then you hit the parking lot that sits against the canyon cliffs.

Sycamore Canyon host 51 camping sites with about 5 restroom facilities. The beach is a short walk under a tunnel. The hiking trails to the west lead into a barren burnt landscape from a past fire. The paths are challenging as the inclines steepen quickly.

Charcoal gray, white, red, and splashes of green come alive from the slow growth of sprouting bush. New beige and rust colored bark expose through the black branches.

My cousin Kaelynn, Jess and I gain elevation over a hill and start up a trail that expands only two feet wide. We relish in the accomplishment of making it up the trail to the peak.

A high ridge overlooking the sea, it reminds me of Baja California, Mexico. I am in Malibu I remind myself.

The fog and sun hold hands. They take turns gracing us over the course of three days.  I enjoy the two naps I get in the sand. My cousin quickly fills my time with sandcastles, Frisbee, and jumping in the waves.

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Bike rides, campfires, and good food, this is a summer vacation I could get used to. Short walks in the morning along the shore followed by meditation sessions.  The sand is a soft gritty kind. This is the type of observation I notice these days after being too so many beaches. I like the quality overall.

FRESH FRUIT

CHORIZO CON FRIJOLES

RIBS & TRI-TIP

PANDULCE

HUMMUS & VEGGIES

FRESH VEG FROM COUSINS GARDENS

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     A three-day two night is just what the doctor ordered. Sycamore Canyon is a great getaway, 20 miles north of Santa Monica, Calif.  Turn off the phone and turn on the adventure!!!

The Great Berry Trip

Click Here to watch my slideshow :)

     

     The first weekend in my new home and Easter arrives.  With my last class on Wednesday, my 5 day weekend started.  I had a interview to conduct Thursday morning with Alison Hemsley, and then went to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. One Friday I started off with homework and then got ready for my trip down to Berry.

      My buddy Chris invited my mates and I on the trip down the south coast.  I also bought My mates that I met the night before came along. Natalia was an exchange student from Spain and Cassidy was a local from Boulder, Colo. Both really superkickback and hilarious.

       We took off Friday afternoon. All jammed into Chris's little white car. The first stop was Kiama one of the nicest beach towns on the southern coast on Australia. It was a barbeque at a house overlooking the Kiama Bay.

      The patio had christmas lights strung out and a bricked fire pit in the back.   It was such a California style kickback, thrown by two brothers one named Josh (18) and Will (mid-20's). Josh was indie little rocker and Will was the former rugby star in high school. The crowd was so eccentric but worked.  The BBQ consisted of sausage on white bread (AUS hotdog), pizza, and beer.

Adam's Driveway

       After sunset the music got a little louder, Tame Imapala to Nirvana filled the speakers.  We cruised on around 9 to venture farther south to Chris's friend Adam. IT was Adam's 23rd birthday so we celebrate on his farm. A bubbling hot tub greeted us when pulled up. Even the large size pool was warmer. A pool party in the dark was in full motion.

        Not to long and I was ready to find a secluded corner and pass out. Chris found me and snapped a photo. The whole waking up to a picture of you past out on your phone is a common occurrence of me, at least I was on a couch this time. In the morning we made toast and espresso. The kitchen table overlooked the entire farm. Unaware of the beauty during the previous night, I was amazed at the place in front of me.

Lights Out

         Lucious green grass and volumoius trees spread the property. Wore wooden gates make large stable lots for the 5 horses, 2 more are not their, 7 all together. Natalia, Cassidy and I hang out with each one, each one unique.

• Heidi, sweetest horse ever.
• Genga, is the little rebel. He is still a young horse.
• Bobby and Roy are buddies. They are funny characters, Roy tried to eat my butt. Bobby was the older horses.
• And finally Gerry, he was the best looking horse. We loved to roll in the grass, it was a sight.

Mouse, mini horse

       Adam's farm also had two miniature horses.

"I don't even know why we have them," he said.

      One of them looked exactly like Donkey from Shrek. Now, in his driveway we walked up the picturesque path.  At the top the animal introductions continued with two goats. I couldn't help but see Kevin Garnett's face at this point. (Basketball reference for ya)

       Our little vaca carried on. 7 mile beach was next on our list. 7 mile beach is known as the best surfer starter beach in Australia. The waves are so keen (AUS slang for very sure/anticipating) for long rides. The fun part is crossing the creek before getting to the beach. You are in waist-deep river temperature water with a small current and then endless sand for miles. It delivered the best waves I have seen.

       Body-surfed for hours, we didn't bring any actual surfboards. Next time. We head into town soon for some grub. The Great Southern Hotel is choice where we load up on bistro style food. I got the nachos and of course they suck! Sorry but no good Mexican food in Australia yet.

         Pretty tired we head back home to Wollongong. Driving the roads here are what you dream of. The big ranches and farms put you back in the 1920's south. Some of the property still owned by the original owners. They have ocean front farms. Imagine waking up and walking to the edge of you property, which is the beach.  I was not expecting Australia to be so green. My buddy told me that this is one of the most fertile areas of Australia, just a few hundred kilometer inland from here and its the bush (AUS term for desert).

So far my Easter Weekend has rung in nicely.