Love You Michael and Hayden

I have had the absolute pleasure of spending two of the last three days with my brother, sister-in-law, and first nephew.  I spent a day down in Manuel Antonio with them on Tuesday, and today they spent the day up here.  

In Manuel Antonio, Jeni, Michael, Hayden, little-Brian (who has yet to be born and who's actual parent-given name is still secret) and I had lunch on the beach where we introduced Mike to casados (the typical Costa Rican lunch/dinner), and then took a walk in Manuel Antonio park where we a) saw a squirrel monkey get electrocuted on a power line and b) swam with three four-foot sharks off a white sand beach.  We relaxed in their infinity pool with pina coladas during a beautiful sunset, and then had a wonderful dinner at Kapi Kapi before Jeni and I headed back home.  

This morning, I opened quickly to try my first session on a shortboard.  I got slammed, and then slammed again, and then slammed again.  I'm actually in pain.  But after an hour and a half, I caught my first good wave.  I ended up in the white water, but still had a good ride, which certainly constituted my first wave on a shortboard.  Two of my bosses were out with me, Thomas and Shane.  Thomas was extremely supportive, cheering me on and building me up afterwards, while Shane strongly suggested I stick to a long or fun board (funboards are in between a long and short board) for a couple more months.  I think I'll go back and forth for a while.  In any event, it was nice to keep getting slammed, and have the will to continue to paddle back out.  It felt good to catch my first wave on something new.  

Mike and Hayden arrived at about 11:30, and I did my best to give Mike a bit of a surf lesson, but I failed miserably, mostly due to the location, but partly due to my inexperience in giving surf lessons.  We had fun doing it though, and Mike did great given the circumstances.  The sand was really hot, hence Mike's double-time in this picture.  We settled for lunch at the Lowtide after a quick rinse off, as Jake continued his three hour excursion on the beach and in the waves, still trying to catch me the lobsters I ordered from him a couple of months ago after he proved his ability to fish effectively by bringing us a nice sized pargo which we deep fried and ate together.  That was a nice long sentence.  After lunch, we relaxed on the beach, where Mike snapped the pic of the horses and the pic of me, Jake, and Hayden watching the more experienced surfers.  We finished the day with an excellent dinner at Karen's restaurant (Alamendros), and a virgin pina colada back at the Lowtide.  

It was so nice to see family.  And especially hang out with Hayden carrying my yet-to-be-born nephew.  I love you guys.  

So tonight I'm finishing up closing, and will head back home to get another good night sleep before hitting the waves again after opening in the morning.  

Another wonderful Trash Day.  Glad Mike and Hayden could experience it with me first hand.  Oh, and Mike, THANKS FOR THE CLOTHES (notice the nice new green shirt).  Freaking awesome.