An Adventure to the Pacific

In Elementary school, you learn about the four corners of the world, how the 7 oceans affect our planet, continent names, and that the North Pole is an actual place on a map.

When you grow up in Florida, you’re blessed with the hurricane swirling Atlantic Ocean and the dull calmness we call The Gulf of Mexico. I was lucky enough to visit family in California at a young age, which is when I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

However, on this day, my dear friend, whom I’ve known since high school in the midwest, was searching for the feeling of joy in the Pacific. She lives in D.C. and has never ventured to the west coast oceanside.

It was my job to take her there.

So we went to Malibu for the afternoon. While we were driving, I forgot about her anticipation of checking off her bucket list item #2,940. I realized how much I take for granted in living right by the ocean, when she got excited.

But actually, excited is an understatement. As we turned onto the PCH, she was exploding with yells, bursting with “Oh my gosh’s” and snapping photos out the window like we were in a foreign country. I guess it was foreign to her, though.

When we finally parked and got settled onto our blanket, she ran and jumped in the freezing water. I was the tortured photographer, capturing her first moments of splashing in the Pacific.

“You have to go all the way in? It’s so cold!” I asked.

“It’s necessary Megan,” she replied.

I guess I’m used to being the one who experiences new things for the first time with other travelers, and now it seemed I was on the opposite side. I realized I played an integral part in Lauren’s adventure. I was helping her dream come true. Wee!

The white-capped waves were subtle and relaxing. The surfers to our right made their own adventures on each break, and we just sat in the sand enjoying the sun drop slowly.

Later, we went to a cozy little fish cafe we heard was worth eating at. And It was. I’ll never forget talking with Lauren in that ambiance. We looked out on the water, sat inside on red checkered picnic tables, and the tiny white lites, which lined the ceilings, dimmed softly over our grilled mahi and roasted potatoes.

It was a true friendship moment.

What a great day that I’ll hold close to my heart.

Love, Meg