
We spent about a week and a half traveling in California. We went to Berkeley, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz and stopped along the way on the coast, resting at several beaches. Our family unit was so nourished by being at the beach. The crashing of the waves and the texture of the sand reliably absorbed the buzzy traveling energy of riding in the van for hours at a stretch. The promise of a beach visit immediately shifted Eli's mood every time. We eventually learned that no matter how short the visit, putting on a bathing suit was essential for Eli, since he immersed himself in the water, no matter how high his pants were rolled up.