1,000 Steps Beach

1,000 Steps Beach is in South Laguna. Because it is a decent walk DOWN to the beach you don't get many small children and there seem to be quite a few locals.The best thing I ever did was take the Boccie ball set from my dad's garage before I moved out west. (Dad, if you ever wondered, I have the Boccie ball set.) That set has seen more sand, dirt, rocks and roots than any other boccie ball set. I'm convinced boccie and volleyball are the perfect mix of exercise and enjoyment for any beach day.
The winter rain brings all sorts of plant life to pop up everywhere.
The house Katie and I purchased with the money I make at my part time job. I have to throw the "Just kidding" in there for those of you who actually think I'm serious.
I read there were 227 actual steps that make up the pathway to the beach from the road. Between the boccie balls, food, camera, and other necessities on my back going down the steps I was reminded why I exercise.
We made the short drive to Dana Point just south of Laguna. We could have done without but it was nice to say we were there I guess.

Update on this week.

Well, it's my last weekday of spring break. I've appreciated the silence. It's interesting how I always reach for the remote or click for music without thinking about it. Today is nice. I don't even want to talk to myself.

I finished the quarter strong. Five "A's" and one "B". Whatever. I guess grades are necessary. I know the stuff and that's all that's going to matter when I take boards. Hopefully I'll remember it come time.

Monday I start spring quarter. The winter quarter is over and spring quarter is short that's the beauty of it. The last two weeks, which would normally be class, is a clinical. I'll be going to Bellingham, Wa. from June 1-June 12. I'll stay with Katie's family and eat all there food. Kate will join me the last few days and then we will fly to Ohio for a wedding in Jersey.

I can't believe the first year of school is almost over. Now that I think of it. Summer anatomy is short too, so is my fall quarter because of a clinical. Wow, I'm almost done. yeah right.

This weekend Katie has made it clear that the beach must be in our plans. And I totally agree. I've asked some friends about beaches we haven't been. We will see where we end up.

Scott's time in the holy land.

I just returned from a trip to Columbus, Ohio. I was visiting a long time friend of mine who is getting married in June. I am the best man in his wedding. Bryan wasn't having any of it when I told him I wasn't going to be able to come to his bachelor party. He flew me in and along with a few other friends and family we had a great time in Hocking Hills, Ohio. Good eats, euchre, hiking, campfires, and guitar hero were among some of the activities.


One of Ohio State's Cafeterias. I forgot about Ohio sunsets. There is nothing like them. There are always clouds making the sunsets always different and enjoyable to look at.
Bryan (Smalley) and I dropped Liz, his fiance, off at their weekly small group Bible study and headed here, Brazenhead Irish eatery. It was the first day of March madness basketball. Besides watching the games on the television we enjoyed a pint, caught up on life, I shared all the wisdom I have in my three years of marriage and had a few good laughs. I was remided how much I enjoy hanging out with Bryan.
Smalley had to work on Friday so I found myself wandering around local t-shirt shops and the campus itself. Then, there it was...The Horse Shoe. Ohio Stadium. I hadn't been there in years. I think the last time I was there was ten years ago. I took a few dozen pictures when I got a view of the inside stadium seats.(see the below pic.) "What I would do to get in there today", I thought. I walked around the stadium and noticed all the gates were locked. Then...a food service truck pulled through a gate about 20 ft. ahead of me. My causal walk became a run as I sqeeze in right behind the truck.
Ahead of me I could see the stadium seats through the gate. "Go Scott!" At first I was content just being in the stadium. Then I wanted to get as close to the field as possible. Then...then...a gate. Yep, an open gate. Minutes later I was standing in the endzone then the 50 yard line.
I wish I had a football. I wanted so badly to catch a pass even if I threw it up and caught it myself. Hahaha.
After what seemed like 20 minutes of walking around on the field I set up the camera and got one of myself. I was able to set the camera on the ground and put it on timer. I needed proof that I was there! I was spurred on by the guys to my left in the photo. With a smirk on my face I asked them if they could get a football and throw me a pass real quick on my way out. No.




Bryan is the director of a dorm on the O.S.U. campus. This tells you the hatred between the Buckeyes and U. of M#@hg*.
Bryan letting the OSU president Gordon Gee what he thinks needs to be done.
Saturday morning. Todd and Dave enjoying a conversation during breakfast.
Since I planned the weekend, I had to plan the food as well. Then I realized I had to cook it. It was actually a success. Breakfast: Eggs with potatoes, peppers, sausage, bacon and fruit.
John helping with the turkey bacon.
This was the cabin we stayed at. It was a cheap stay at 150 bucks for two nights. We split the price and it was a great deal for us poor college guys.

A vulture?
This always amazes me. No matter what the age, give a man a rock and he is entertained for hours. Skipping rocks at the base of a waterfall.


This is Old Man's Cave.
Bryan and Todd getting the fire ready for the evening.
Bryan's choice for dinner: Brats. I soaked them in beer for 3 hours before and they came out great. Our sides were: Baked beans cooked on the campfire, sourkraut, salad, applesauce.
When we returned from Hocking Hills, Dad, Cheryl and Emily made the two hour trip from Akron to Columbus for a quick visit. We ate at The Cheesecake Factory.
Bryan and I.
A nice picture...yet incomplete.
Dad and I.

Some photos of school...

So we never put pictures up of the whole reason we are here. I hope to put a few more pictures up as we continue to create memories.

These are of a fitness test. We were required to replicate the exact test a P.E. teacher has to take his students through in fifth, seventh and ninth grade. We then evaluated what we would change and what was good about the tests. Really it was just an excuse to exercise during class time and have a whole lot of laughs.

Here Greg is trying to get "presidential" numbers by completing 75 crunches. I couldn't hold back on laughs because the tests require you stand in the strangest places and he could barely get 40 crunches.
I didn't do too good on this one. I need to work on that.50 push ups! Then I stopped. The teacher asked me why I stopped. I thought I was supposed to. But really I didn't want to do anymore. I don't think I could have anyway.
Sorry these are so small.

Me encouraging Bjorn to get one more push up in.

A break from Loma Linda.

We went to Corona Del Mar State Beach last night. I spend a few hours in the books. (It's finals week this upcoming week) Katie walk around a massive mall. We went to inspiration point and enjoyed a homemade lunch(the best kind) together before grabbing a fire pit for the evening.
Katie, KatieAnn, and Rebecca. We were the first three couples to arrive. It was nice. We enjoyed Bocce ball, volleyball, and frisbee before everyone else got there.A quiet moment before everyone else arrived.
The guys jumping over the fire just cause their wive didn't want them too. Katie didn't care if I did it so I wasn't that motivated.Ryan jumping over the fire.Brian decide to go into the water after his frisbee went astray. It was over the edge of a cement breaker. We pulled him out just before a wave came in. He would have been soaked! Got the frisbee.The boat we bought with the money I make at my part time job.Mike and Rebecca thought I was taking a picture of them when really I was getting the shot of the sail boat in the sunset.
Sunset.
The rocks fill up with water after high tide.
We miss our friends and family. We are happy we made the choice to come to Loma Linda. I don't know that we would have even done it at any other time in our lives.

Bouldering at the beach anyone?

Rocks to climb on.

Quiet on the home front. We really enjoy our home. We wish we had a back yard where we could spend the majority of our evenings.
This bird always greets Kate and I when we leave in the mornings. It can sing about ten different songs. I wonder how long he'll stay around. I got a bird feeder for him but he seems uninterested in that.
Kate's orchid plant.