When we realized that we were down to no time left on our vacation before we had to have Scout back for middle school registration, we knew there was only one place we HAD to stop in California. Fort Bragg is known for their sea glass, which is why we reserved three hours for sea glass hunting on our last full-day morning. Well, three hours turned into five hours, and the rest is illegal history!
When we got there, it was amazing. In every handful of mini rocks and sand, there were about 20 pieces of sea glass.
We were so excited, and hunted for a few hours.
The sea glass was amazing.
We each had water bottles we were filling with our share of glass. As we looked, a girl told us that she had been two coves down, and it was even better. We wrapped up, and headed over.
You had to climb down the hill to get to the “better” cove.
So know, every handful contained 50 pieces of sea glass! It was magical. It was insane. It was perfect.
We hunted for another few hours.
When we filled our bottles, Navy started filling her swimsuit.
Then Scout removed his sweatshirt with a great idea. He always takes a summer treat home to Seth and Cade, so he decided a sweatshirt filled with sea glass they could pick through would be the perfect gift! After he filled it, Micah took it up to the car. On his way, there were a few people inquiring Scout about his bottle filled with glass. Scout played dumb (we kind of were at that point). Then Micah (who had walked really far to the car with a very heavy load) said, “Scout…just get in and let’s get out of here!
He then called me to come, and as I was walking out, I discovered why the people were questioning Scout:
“Leave glass at sea glass beach”.
Uh Oh!
We all jammed up there so quickly, and we got the heck out of dodge. We weren’t totally against returning the sea glass, but the walk made it prohibitive, and the glaring eyes exasperated the idea of taking that guilty walk.
For the first time ever, we didn’t make the kids clean up before getting in the car, and we jammed straight to a spray car wash.
The kids for the second time on this vacation thought we were being followed by the police, and got a clean getaway. (Remember the Goonies house?) After cleaning up and hopping in the car, Micah showed off his two hearts he found, and I thought I trumped him with my one bigger and better heart.
Mine is the top, he has the bottom two. We all know mine is better, but the rarity of his light lavender one on the right, sold the kids to vote it as number one. (His convincing speech swayed them too.)
All in all…Fort Bragg was a blast.
And its Pippi Longstalking shop was a secret surprise o our way out!
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Now…in one day, it is time for us to be at home.
How sad to call this trip to a close.
Who knew it would be such an amazing trip?
Who knew it would rank with our all-time favorite trips?
All because my dad was sick…and we had to solve our own vacation problems.
If this isn’t making lemonade out of lemons…I don’t know what is!
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Many moons ago, I had the idea of Choosing Our Own Adventure (although Micah tries to claim it was somehow his idea?!)… but it wasn’t in the cards for this summer. I am SO GRATEFUL that instead of going back east for a trip, we decided to road trip our final days of this summer. Beyond being dirty, and wiped out….we are all closer and happier as a family.
And that’s what it’s all about.
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