Summer plans

Rich and I made a list of all the things we want to do around LA this summer.

Here's our list:

1) Visit 5 different beaches around LA, and figure out which beach we like the best.

We've made progress here. We've been to Santa Monica, Pismo Beach, and Avila Beach, though Pismo and Avila aren't exactly in the LA area.

2) Hike Icebox Canyon.

3) Attend our town's summer concert series, free on Thursday nights in the town's biggest park.

4) Visit the Getty Museum. Sketch the artwork, compare drawings, and have a good laugh over our lack of artistic skills.

5) Camp in Yosemite National Park. Hike Half Dome.

6) Attend an Angel's game.

7) Go to San Diego for Carl and Corey's wedding in August. Celebrate our fourth (!) anniversary while there.

8) Go to the Huntington Gardens and Tea Shop.

9) Lay by the pool at least one day per week.

Right on schedule with this one.

10) Buy a hummingbird feeder. Sit on the porch, and watch the hummingbirds visit.

We've purchased the feeder, and we have seen many hummingbirds over the past few days. We haven't actually made a concerted effort to sit on the porch to watch them, though.

11) Read War and Peace.

This is my goal, not Richard's. I've checked the book out from the library, and I'm about 100 pages in. Only 11,000 more to go! This may take a back seat because I'm teaching the summer reading program at work this summer, and I'm sure I'll have to reread most of those books.

12) Buy a used Calculus book from the library, and re-learn Calculus.

Again, my goal. And ugh.

13) Go rollerblading at the beach.

14) Watch The West Wing on DVD.

We're working steadily on this one, though I wouldn't describe it as "work." We kind of wish Bartlett would actually run for president. Several years ago, we had the chance to see Martin Sheen speak at the Black Tie gala in Dallas. People from our church even offered to pay for our tickets. Sadly, we couldn't go because we already had plans, and every time we watch The West Wing, we silently kick ourselves for missing that chance.

15) Master Super Mario Brothers.

This is Richard's goal, and I have no desire to play the game at all (mainly because about all I can do is make Mario walk in a straight line). He is well on his way to being a Mario-Master.

16) Play piano and violin together.

We use to play together all the time, but we don't so much anymore. We'd like to get back in the habit, like Sister Act 2.

What's on your summer list?