Climbing Trees at the Ranch House

How does a country girl raise country kids in the city? We have to go looking for the country. The Ranch House on Camp Pendleton is a perfect patch of "country". Full of open space and climb-able trees. No better way to pass some time than running, climbing, and chasing grasshoppers. That's my kind of fun.

One of my favorite parts about growing up in the Midwest was the open space. As kids, we could roam free without too much concern from our parents. We were surrounded by nature; in fact, many times it was the only thing we had to do was play outside in nature. We made stuff out of rocks, leaves, sticks. We dug holes and climbed trees. We made a game out of jumping back and forth across the creek without falling in. We were creative and adventurous. We had fun.

I miss that for my kids. My kids have lived in California for almost their entire lives. There was a short three year tour to Japan, otherwise we've only lived in San Diego. Nature is limited in the city. Rocks are found in landscaping. Dirt is covered with mulch. Trees aren't allowed to grow big enough to shed any sizable leaf. Creeks are drained and filled in. Bottom line...it's just not the same.

Where there is a will, there is a way. If you look hard enough, you can find the country here. California isn't just shopping centers and freeways. Right off the interstate you will find a windy road. Nine times out of ten the windy road will lead you to the most picturesque place you have ever seen. There you will find some rocks, a tree to climb, and a creek to hop over. You will realize California isn't so bad. And you don't want it to fall off into the ocean afterall.