The Story of
FLAT STANLEY's Excellent California Beach Adventure

Made Possible by Heather  -  Told by Bill

Yesterday a stranger came to visit me. What a surprise for me to return from Breakfast to find a flat man ... Stanley ... sleeping on the floor by my couch! While I was gone he had slipped into my Santa Monica apartment through my mail slot and simply waited there for my return.

Stanley explained his purpose to me, his desire to explore a part of the country brand new to him. "I would love to show you around my neighborhood, Stanley!" I said. "But I have some work to do today. Why don't you make yourself at home, fix yourself some food in my kitchen and rest up after such a long journey? Tomorrow, you and I will make a day of it. What do you think of that?"

"Excellent," said Flat Stanley.

On Sunday morning Flat Stanley woke me up bright and early - early for me, that is - he was anxious to get started. "Okay," I said, still groggy, "What would you like to do today?" Stanley suggested maybe driving to the Hollywood Hills and taking a picture of the famous sign. "Hmmm," I said, "other than a few photo opportunities, I don't find Hollywood that interesting. Stanley, it's such a beautiful warm winter day outside here on the west coast, what say you and I bike down to Venice Beach? There is a lot to see there, lots of pictures to take."

"Excellent," said Flat Stanley

We toyed with the idea of renting a bicycle for Stanley, but Stanley seemed apprehensive about it. "I'm short and flat," he explained. "I'm afraid that on a bicycle I would blow away in the wind. Not to mention the fact that there's no way I could ever reach the pedals."

"Oh. I see," I said. "Well, if you're so light, then I suppose it wouldn't hurt my back too bad to simply carry you in my backpack. How's that? Then you and I can both ride atop my bicycle."

"Excellent."

And off we rode south down Lincoln Boulevard to the Save-On drug store. There, at the one-hour photo booth, I purchased a disposable camera with which to document our trip. You can see the first picture I took outside of the drug store: Flat Stanley snug in my backpack on top of my bicycle.

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