After a shopping trip to buy snacks, water and shoe polish we decided to take off for a trip down the California coast. Before we left, one team member asked if we needed our desk. After examining our room it was decided it would make a great study room. For one thing, it has a couch! So, the Pearland academic decathlon team invaded our room. Armed with the knowledge that our space in the hotel was not being wasted we headed out to the car. We had a great trip! We took our time driving down Hwy 1 (the Coastal Hwy). We stopped at one of the parking areas of Crystal Cove State Park at Laguna Beach. It was too cool to walk on the beach and I was in sandals. So, we took a chance and drove around to find David a jacket and some tennis shoes for me. After a successful shopping expedition we picked up some salads and fruit. Then we checked out another area of the Crystal Cove State Park. It was a great place to eat lunch and watch the waves. The water is so much bluer than the Gulf of Mexico! We found some cool tidal pools; there was so much diversity of life: barnicles, clams, abalones, anemones, red algae, pieces of kelp, sea gulls, juvenile sea gulls, sand pipers, little fish (they moved too quickly to identify), flies, and pieces of crabs. The shapes of the rock formations are a testament to the power of water. Tidal forces have eroded some of them into wonderful shapes. The tunnel going under the freeway had wonderful murals, most of which commemorate earth day of years past. These serve as a reminder to us to be good caretakers. As the area builds up it is very important that we continue to protect as much of these natural spaces as possible. The diversity of life on the dunes and in the water is so important to maintain for future generations to enjoy.