A weekend on the West Coast!

Back in August we were able to spend the weekend at my grandparents house in Smith River, California. This quaint little town lies on the tip of the Northern California coast about one mile from the Oregon border. It was Seth and our kids first time there. Rick and Shelby met us there along with Shelby's parents.

Daddy was king of the mountain.

The tube part of this huge sea weed was hard and felt like plastic. Not slimy and mushy like I expected.

Inside the hollow redwood.

My grandparents still insist on spoiling us even though we are grown with our own families. Worried that there wouldn't be enough room for everyone in their spacious house they rented a little house right on the beach for Seth and I and our kiddos. It was so amazing to wake up in the morning to the smell and sound of the ocean and to literally walk a few steps out the door to the beach. We had tons of blackberry bushes right outside the door too. Yum!

If you ask me Smith River has it all. Gorgeous coastlines, amazing forests filled with huge redwood trees (my favorite) and a comfortable climate almost year round.

View from my grandparents living room.

Stairway to one of the trails on their property.

It was so good to spend quality time with my grandparents. Grandpa Spencer is just about 90 now and he is doing as great as ever. I seriously marvel at all they do at their age. They maintain the 6 acres of land they own all by themselves. Included in that is a huge garden full of delcious produce. They walk several times everyday and my grandpa attends weekly bridge games with some friends. They still cook wonderful meals and their house is always immaculate! Basically, they do it all and I think its what keeps them "young". What a great weekend it was. We have decided to make this a yearly trip until my grandparents make their move down to Southern California. That is where they plan to finally slow down in five or so years.

Beautiful fuschia growing in the front of their house.