Venice

Maybe it's in the genes. Maybe it's that we have Thrasher Magazines laying around everywhere, or perhaps it is that Aaron is always youtubing some sort of loud footage. Whether we like it or not, Nico has been bitten by the skate bug. He has had collosal tantrums over Aaron's board being put away. He gets so excited when he sees a skater, sometimes calling out to unsuspecting young boys, "Go!"

Recently his obsession reached a fever pitch when he found a peice of junk wood in our backyard and baptized it his "brinca" (Spanish for Jump, Nico for skateboard) He took to riding the small plank even if it doesn't have wheels. He sets it up under his feet and throws it down stairs, emulating the 20 stair rail jumpers that his dada watches.

We took Nico to Venice Beach to see the beachside skate scene and the new Skatepark there. Even if you are not remotely interested in skateboarding, the scene at Venice is breathtaking. The concrete park has an awesome view of the waves. There is a multicultural and multigenerational congregation of board worshippers, all taking their falls in stride and trying their hardest to do nothing more than their personal best. Nico was transfixed, whispering "wow" when a skater zipped by him. We brought along his "board" and he was inspired to do some fancy footwork of his own. We realized what an asset Venice Beach is, with its parade of characters and seaside air. We live a mere 30 minutes away from a completely different planet. The beach lifestyle truly feels like a non-stop vacation. We have visited Venice twice this month and plan to make it a regular destination for 2010.

Does he need a helmet already?

Venice Boys by Photographer Deanna Templeton.

One of the most incredible surf shops I've ever seen. This is how retail is done.
Always pack a lunch, and get the best seat in the house.