Father's Day Stroll

After such an enjoyable Father's Day last year, the challenge was on for a repeat. Twelve months ago I realized a dream to go on an extended bike ride with the family along the strand just as Connie and I did before we were married. The undertaking was rewarding on many levels: youthful flashback to a time when yearly century bike rides was the norm, a carefree joyride with my girl friend interrupted only by a late morning brunch, and a confirmation of my rehabilitation from hip replacement surgery and obesity. We started out on the strand in Manhattan Beach and headed north to our destination- Venice Beach. It was a gorgeous day and we took our time peddling so that we could enjoy the sights and the cool sea breeze. The path meanders through Marina Del Rey where shortly afterwards we stopped for lunch at a random bar near the pier. The food was great and gave us a boost before zipping over to Venice. Anyway, we had a great time although the ride back seem to take forever. Our tushies were sore! Later in the evening the older kids came by for a barbeque where I fired up my new grill for a tasty meal. So how do we top last year's trek? This year we headed south on foot which allowed Connie to get her training miles in for the 3 Day Cancer walk event in November while also including the whole family. The morning started out like most Sunday mornings with a pancake breakfast and ended with 11:30 Mass where I am a member of the choir.


After Mass is when the day presented a different experience. We walked from church to the Kettle which is a great coffee shop just 2 short blocks east of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Great food available 24 hours every day only required a 20 minute wait and we were not disappointed. After getting our fill it was off to the pier and then a quick left south.




It turned out to be our most ambitious walk yet. Almost made it to Redondo Pier as it was we ended up at the north end of restaurant row at the northern edge of the pier. Along the way we wandered into a kids camp that had a sea life theme. It is open to the public and available for private parties. In fact there was one going on at the time. Just past the land of shamu is the beginnings of the marina which leads into the pier. At that point we decided to rest a bit and head back. We made it back in time to watch the Lakers defeat the surly Celtics. Who knew that they were setting us up for humiliation in Bean town.



We did not barbeque so I still don't know why the older kids came over this year but we enjoyed their company and Dinker was so excited that his cousin Buddy came over that he was foaming at the mouth.