Personal Stories From My Family
If you were to ask any of my family members where they wanted to go for vacation they would
more than likely give you an answer that involved an ocean of some sort. This is because my
family absolutely loves the ocean and everything about it. The first time my parents took me
to the beach was in kingergarten, I was instantly hooked. But, the destination that keeps on
drawing us back is Southern, California. Manhattan Beach, California, where my family stays
when we visit this great place, offers so many great things including food, lifestyle, and of
course surfing! My family and I have been to this great state four times and each time is better
than the last. It's so great because the way of life and culture in SO CAL is so much different
than that of good ol' Nebraska. Each one of my family members has different reasons as to why
they love Southern, California so much, each having their personal favorite memories.
Dad's Story
I have many wonderful beach memories, but the best are as follows:
"The best memories are seeing my two boys, Keaton and Jaxson, get up and catch their
first wave on a surf board. It was a thrill for me to watch them actually
get up and ride the wave into shore...they had been trying and working so hard for a
couple of days and finally the time arrived where they experienced the thrill of
riding one of Mother Nature's most powerful, beautiful things on earth...the wave of
an ocean. They finally became one with the ocean and had control of the wave."
"Another great memory are the many bike rides that we took up and down the Strand.
Riding with Keaton down to Hermosa Beach to sit outside at a cafe and grab a
little lunch and a drink and watch the people scurry about in their normal
routines for the day. Sitting on our balcony and watching people walk, jog and
or bike by on the Strand. Watching all the people come out to the beach to play
volleyball games as if it is a pick-up basketball game."
"The best is watching our family thoroughly enjoy themselves and be one place on this earth
that I can relax and enjoy life and have it slow down a bit, even if it is for just a
couple of weeks...it is truly a wonderful 2 weeks."
Mom's Story
Below is my favorite beach moment:
"My favorite beach moment would have to be the first time Curtis, my husband, my
two kids, Keaton and Jaxson and myself went to Manhattan Beach, CA. There were
a million favorite things for me."
"The first time I saw the house we would be staying in for 10 days, the first
time we took the boogie boards out in the chilly ocean. The morning we had
breakfast on the beach, the fantastic sand castle we erected only to be taken
away with the churning tide. Our bike ride on the boardwalk was such an
adventure seeing all the wonderful, million dollar beach houses."
"Eating at Mama D's with Keaton, Steve and the "fake mustache" man, was definately
a highlight, one Keaton and I will never forget. Sleeping on the couch with the
doors open and listening to the ocean waves was magical and so very peaceful.
Watching the boys get up on the surf boards for the first time was amazing to
witness and to see the excitement on their faces was priceless."
Brother's Story
Here is my favorite memory from Manhattan Beach, California:
"My best memory of the beach was when I got up on my surfboard. It was the best to
finaly get up on the surfboard because I had been trying all day long. That was the
best beach memory ever!!!"
My Story
These are my most memorable and favorite memories from my trips to Southern California:
"Some of the best memories I have of California are when my whole family, including my
uncle Steve who lives in California, is out in the waters either surfing together
or boogie boarding together. When we're out in the waters it is so relaxing because
it's just us and the waves, no hustle and bustle from our typical lives. Also,
it's so exciting when one of us finally catches a wave and rides it into shore
because a task such as this is very difficult, especially for people who live in
Nebraska!"
"Another memorable memory happened way back when I was a 3rd
grader. The summer after my 3rd grade school year my family decided to take a
family vacation to visit my uncle in California. Little did I know that after this
trip I would be surfing and find a new love for extreme sports. It all began when
my uncle took my family and I to his local hang out beach, and let me tell you this place
pumped some sick waves! He told me that I was going to surf and sure enough I did
by the very end of the day! The rush was undescribable, it was a total thrill. He
successfully hooked me to this great sport!"
"I love Southern California so much because of the beautiful ocean and all the
wonderful times my family and I have out there, I guess that's why we keep on returning
every summer!"
