Foxfire & Freeways: Grover Beach, Sandy Feet & Brave Little Steps 🌊🦊

California gave us another beautiful weekend for the books.

We stayed at a gorgeous KOA tucked away in the Santa Margarita Valley, and honestly, it was such a pretty place to call home for the weekend.

They even had the cutest little gnome village at the campground, which of course I absolutely loved. 😂🍄

Then it was time for the Grover Beach festival!

There were tons of food and ware vendors to wander through, plenty of new people to meet, and—as usual—Bug managed to collect a few more members of his unofficial fan club.

He completely stole one woman’s heart. She joked that she wanted to take him home with her.

Sorry, ma’am. This one’s already claimed. 😂

Bug also got his first taste of street corn, covered in lime, butter and chili.

His review seemed to be something along the lines of:

“This isn’t bad… but have you considered giving me fries instead?”

😂

He liked it well enough, but fries are apparently still king.

Throughout the festival he kept practicing his walking. He’s been getting closer and closer, but still hasn’t quite mustered up the courage to completely let go and trust those little legs.

Then yesterday we went to Pismo State Beach.

And something changed.

With the Pacific stretched out in front of him, Bug walked an entire yard length by himself toward the water.

Every time I picked him up, he wanted right back down to feel the sand beneath his feet and keep exploring. He found seashells, tried unsuccessfully to chase the much-faster seagulls, and even managed to get himself a mouthful of salty Pacific Ocean water.

Welcome to the ocean, kid. 😂🌊

There were also pelicans hanging around, and I KNOW they weren’t going to carry my child away…

But when you’re watching one of those giant birds with its enormous fish-scooping mouth anywhere near your tiny human, Mama Brain still goes:

“Don’t you even THINK about it, bird.” 👀😂

Afterward, we found a BBQ joint by the water, and the food was spot on. Exactly what we needed to finish off our day.

But watching Bug take those steps is the part I’ll remember most.

This little boy who has spent his first year being carried along on all of these adventures is starting to explore them on his own two feet—and of all the places to really test those legs, he chose the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Pretty fitting for our little road baby. 🧡

Now the camper is rolling again.

We’re making our way toward Manchester Beach KOA for our next stop before continuing north to Randle, Washington and another festival weekend.

And when the road eventually brings us back down into California, we’ve already got a couple more fun stops planned that I’m really looking forward to.

For now, we’re doing what we do—collecting memories, crossing state lines, taking brave little steps and, of course…

Chasing miles. 🦊🔥🌊

Until the next mile, keep the fire lit and the road calling.