tobnkris: One month, one week, five days....

That's how long we've lived here - and that's how long it took me to make it to the ocean that we live less than 3 miles from. Sad!

Most of you who know me would not be surprised by this, for I'm not the most outdoor-sy person. What do you mean there's no indoor ocean? But, surprisingly, I was really longing to go there. At first we were staying on base and just too busy. Then we moved into the house and I was busier. Then came Google Earth, yelling, practically screaming at me, "Look how close you are, just take this road, it's right there!! You can do it!"

Hmm, I'm not actually sure if that was Google Earth harassing me or my Mother-in-law. One in the same really.

Either way, I kept returning to the maps, surely I could find it. So a week ago I made my first attempt, by myself. I mean - it's right there!

Or not.

Okay, so Google Earth masks the whole "tiny road, places you've never been, are you sure you're allowed to drive down that street, what the hell do those signs mean?" healthy fear that keeps you from getting killed, or worse, yelled at by a Japanese farmer. No, if it can be seen on Google Earth, it must be okay! Onward!! Then you actually get to the road, freak out and go home.

Now it was really bothering me. Suddenly I was 5 years old, it was Christmas morning and I'm poking at wrapped presents, tortured, while my mom took her sweet time making coffee. I've never been one for the whole patience thing.

A few days later, even more determined, I head out with the boys trying to find a bigger road that I knew had to exist, Google Earth said so! Then about a 1/2 mile from Christmas morning in ocean form, T. calls me and says the guy who was coming to set up our AFN (armed forces network) satellite wanted to come to the house right this very second to install our dish. No, not 20 minutes from now. Now!

Dammit! I turned back.

Finally, Sunday! The whole family is in the car and I convince T. to drive past the house and find the way to the ocean. Umm, you know, the one he took M. on a bike ride to on Saturday morning. Salt in my wound!! It was easy to convince him as he was eager to add more routes to his GPS.

Turns out it was a left-hand turn (and a big blue sign with an arrow pointing to "Miss Veedol Beach") that saved the day. And we arrived!

It was a glorious gift of sand, waves, surfers, freedom. Better than anything you could wrap and stuff under a tree. Better than a great house with 3 bathrooms and heated toilets seats. Seriously now, you all know how much I love Christmas and staying at home, but damn this ocean! It's amazing!!!