Memorial Day Family Beach Ride

It was a home-oriented holiday weekend, but an enjoyable one nonetheless. We spent Saturday and Sunday running a few errands--such as shopping for gear for this summer's planned camping trip to Oregon--and working around the house, particularly in the front and back yards. No major (i.e., day-long) projects, but a little bit more than the usual lawn and garden maintenance. That left the Memorial Day holiday for play. Much to our relief, all three garbage trucks arrived on the early side--and Tony still HAS to see the trucks ALL the trucks if he's not otherwise stuck in school--which allowed us to get a not-late start for the day's main event. Under spectacularly sunny, 75-degree skies, we made a family bike ride along the beach from Playa del Rey to Manhattan Beach and back. (Click here for a map.) A full 12 miles round trip (!), this was far longer than the usual 3-mile loop Tony and I ride around the neighborhood. But Tony did great, finishing the whole ride with smile and without complaint. Meanwhile, Everett did very well in the bike trailer, too. Helping sustain us all was a short break for chili dogs at mile 3, and a longer break for ice cream and visit to Manhattan Beach pier aquarium at the 6-mile turnaround. What a great way to start summer.