Today, we spent the day with Dan’s parents and brother, driving over to Tomales Bay Oyster Company to enjoy a BBQ lunch (with no shortage of delicious oysters!), exploring the downtown area nearby, and ending the day with some fun on the beach at Point Reyes.
I’d been craving oysters since the last time we went out there and got oysters from Drakes Bay, so I was elated that we got the chance to get another oyster fix in before we leave. I think I may have eaten one too many, though, because I feel like they are swimming in my stomach now. I wonder if there are similar places by the Chesapeake where we can buy and grill oysters in Virginia…?
Dan woke Mio and I up on Saturday morning, announcing that he wanted to take us to a beach called Heart’s Desire Beach. I’d never heard of the beach before, but it sounded like such a cute name for a beach and it was a beautiful day, so we quickly packed up our beach gear and hopped in the car to embark on this surprise trip that Dan had planned for us.
The beach is in the Tomales Bay/Point Reyes area, and took us about an hour and half to drive there. We stopped by Drakes Bay Oyster Company before going to the beach, so we could pick up a bunch of oysters to grill for lunch. I’d been talking about wanting to go to Hog Island Oyster Farm, but we hadn’t been yet because it requires reservations and we weren’t sure when we’d want to go. This was a great alternative, and not as crowded of a location — we just picked up our oysters and left to go grill them at the beach.
Arriving at Drakes Bay Oyster Shack
Checking out the oysters!
We decided that for our first time shucking our own fresh oysters, it was “go big or go home” and we got a bunch of the large jumbo oysters!
Oysters in hand, we got back in the car and drove over to Heart’s Desire Beach, which was only about ten minutes from the oyster shack.
It really was called “Heart’s Desire Beach.” Such a cute name!
We immediately set up our picnic table and started the grill up, laying out oysters and corn.
Mio is so happy to finally be out of the car!
She got a hold of the lemons…
Love that smile! It just tickles me every time…
The oysters off the grill — time to shuck those suckers!
Shucking was difficult at times, but we got the hang of it!
Glorious fresh oyster, ready for the eating!
So excited to dig in.
Mio was content eating her corn… for a couple months now, she’s been able to eat it on the cob.
Thank you Dan for grilling us a delicious lunch!
After lunch, it was time for us to play on the beach… this was of course the highlight of the day for our little waterbug.
Mio filling her bucket with water. For her, playing in the water is serious business!
Dan showing Mio how to build a sand castle.
Making fun objects in the sand.
Our little family at the beach.
With our sweet little Mio…
Mio’s biggest smile on the beach came from discovering a piece of seaweed… interesting.
A video Dan took of Mio on the beach.
Drying off on the shore.
Stylin’ in her shades.
Mio had so much fun that she fell asleep for almost the entire drive back home. Thanks hubby for planning such a memorable, fun trip for us! π
