With gas prices soaring and costs everywhere rising, I have decided the best way for me to enjoy time off and have a vacation is to have a "StayCation".  Stay at or very close to home and see and enjoy the riches in my own neighborhood.


We are Bob and Sharon and our dogs, Poky and Ally.  Our first trip will be up to the beach today.  It is about 16 miles north of here. 


Today's weather here in Oxnard, California was sunny and mild. Temperature was probably in the mid to high 60s.


As we traveled up the coast toward the beach, the weather changed.  It became overcast with a high fog that got lower the farther north we traveled.


When we arrived at the beach, the mountains just about a mile away were covered in fog.  The fog at the beach was not low and visibility was a least a mile.


We have islands off the coast from about 11 miles away to about 20.  We could not see the islands today.


It was short sleeve weather on the beach, even without the sun.  The dogs got to walk on their leashes.   When the beach is empty we let them run free, but when other people are there they are always leashed.


After about 15 minutes on the beach we decided that was enough. There was too much tar washed up on shore.   This is not from the offshore oil platforms or from some ship as many believe. This is mostly naturally seaping oil from the ocean bottom.


In centuries gone by the local Indians would use the tar they collected to help waterproof their boats. 


Walking on the beach with lots of small globs of tar you often cannot see creates a real mess.  I threw away a pair of sandles once because of a large glog of tar I could not get off.  It is hard to get off of bare feet and fighting a dog long enough to get it off of their feet is no fun.


Remember, we on only about 16 miles from home.  Fuel efficient in our mini truck.


We drove farther south to another beach area and just walked the paths.  This is ocean on one side and Ventura Harbor on the other side.  Crashing waves or million dollar yachts. You can take you pick of views.

POKY ---- SHARON ---- BOB ---- ALLY