"Look out here come those South Bay surfers"
California's gettin' hot
There they go cruisin' down that coastline
Lookin' for their favorite spot
Beach Boys Lyrics - South Bay Surfers
We were overly excited to take our very first vacation with the kids in San Diego this summer. We planned a joint trip with our neighbors and close friends, Jim and Merri and their boys. August 1st could not come soon enough for us and then it was all over so quick. Here our some highlights of our trip...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
We rented vehicle that would reliably get us to California safely and headed out bright and early Sunday morning at 8am. Google Maps claimed that the trip should take 5 hours and 49 minutes. However... I quickly realized when we had barely made it into Gila Bend just an hour and a half a way and had to stop for a potty break, that it was going to take much longer. Google Maps really should have a function that allows you to input the number of children you have and their ages to make a prediction on the "real" travel time with children.
Mcdonald's potty and snack stop in Gila Bend...
and on the road...
I just want to squeeze those dimpled cheeks!
Approximately 6 hours and 45 minutes and umpteen potty stops later we arrived safely at our destination... the Howard Johnson Hotel on El Cajon Blvd. The hotel was on the border of La Mesa and San Diego. It wasn't anything great... the carpet turned my kids feet black... but the beds were clean and comfy. and the price was very affordable for a family on a budget. After checking in and visiting with our friends 2 doors down... we decided to head to the beach for the rest of the afternoon.
Howard Johnson Hotel
Caitlin buried herself alive
then Ewan buried himself alive...
I call this the "Sand Halter Top"
Whoever says Seagulls are bird-brains are wrong. It's as simple as that. Well at least when it comes to scavenging for food. I had the pleasure of watching a very "gifted" seagull approach a bag of Pepperidge Farms Goldfish that was not being closely monitored by some beach goers. The seagull carefully and slowly approached. When close enough... it grabbed the bag, ran on it's spindly legs about 15 feet away... set the bag down... then pick it up by the bottom to dump it over so all the goldfish crackers fell out. The feasting began. It did not take long for more gulls to show up and help feast.
The gifted one...
The feast...
Some of my favorite snapshots on our first day at the beach...
Aidan found a shell...
Ewan assessing the ocean waves...
Caitlin and Ewan flying the pocket kites I bought...
Ewan still flying his kite...
Ewan thought it was great to drag around
a very large clump of washed up seaweed. Yuck!
Monday, Aug 2
We were supposed to go to Sea World this day, but Aidan woke up sick around 4 am. Tummy troubles hit and Aidan was not only sick to his stomach... but had issues with the other end too. We decided to change our plans around and visit the peninsula and La Jolla instead. This way Aidan could rest on the beach if need be, and we could still not miss out on one of our vacation days. Unfortunately the car ride made Aidan feel worse. California freeways have a lot of ups, downs and curves and well... Mike takes them fast. Everytime we would hit a curve or go up / down a mountain we could hear poor Aidan heaving into a bucket in the back. Fortunately it was short lived. Aidan did well at the beach once the afternoon hit.
Aidan did not feel well at all... but was a trooper tagging along so we wouldn't have to spend the day in the hotel. As most of you know... there are a lot of mountains and freeways that curve up and down and all around in Cali. Mike also likes to drive a bit fast which was not a good combination. Every time we would hit a bend or go up / down in elevation... we would hear poor Aidan chucking in the ice bucket from the hotel in the back seat. I don't think I will ever look at an ice bucket the same way after this trip.
We visited the Veteran's Cemetary...
and shared a little bit about history with the kids.
We went to a little Mom and Pop Pizza shop called Xtreme Pizza Parlor for dinner. Locals rave about the pizza... and it did live up to expectations. Very Yummy!!
Xtreme Pizza Parlor
Tuesday, Aug 3
Sea World
Wednesday, Aug 4 and Thursday, Aug 5
Coronado Island Peninsula and Traveling home
(Ewan discovered it was a lot of fun to pee in a plastic bottle)
(Ewan discovered it was a lot of fun to pee in a plastic bottle)
