Day 26 - SeaWorld

Today we went to SeaWorld. It was amazing! I was expecting something similar to Marineland, but bigger. This doesn't compare. It had so much more, and everything was interactive. We went to the dolphin show which was great, Connor didn't seem interested at first, we had to distract him until the show started. Once he saw the dolphins though, he couldn't tear his eyes away.

Just outside of the Dolphin stadium is the Seal and Sea Lion enclosure. They have little baskets of fish that you can buy to feed to the Seals and Sea Lions, we bought one (of course) and fed one of the seals a fish. Before we could feed anymore one of the many seagulls hanging around literally attacked Sherri and took the fish right out of her hand. The gull actually dropped one of the fish in the container, so we got to feed one more Seal before we left. (you can see the fish at the top left of the picture) This was very annoying at the time, but became quite funny looking back. We arrived at SeaWorld fairly late because it was open till 10:00 so we slept in, but they only had one more show with the Killer Whales so we went to that next. By the time we got there it was Connor's nap time but there was too much going on for him to sleep so he was a bit cranky and even the giant killer whales couldn't hold his focus for the whole show. It was a great show though. Shamu got up on the platform in the top picture and would flick his tail and spin around on the platform which surprised both of us. He also did jumps and threw handlers, and let them ride him around the pool and all that stuff. The show was a bit artsy-fartsy all about believing in yourself (it was called "believe") but the tricks were great. We went in to the arctic animals pavilion next. They had Walruses, and beluga whales, and penguins and all kinds of animals, and they were all right up close to the glass (except the polar bear - he was laying down at the back of his enclosure) the Walruses especially were swimming right up to the glass, even touching it as they swam by. Connor was very impressed by the Walrus, he stood there for a few minutes watching him swim by. They had Manatees and a giant Shark aquarium with an underwater tunnel surrounded by glass to see the sharks swim by. (the curved glass messed up the pictures) They had flamingos and penguins out that you could feed, and a couple of touch pools with rays and fish to touch. By far, the best thing we did at SeaWorld was next. We were wandering around to see everything and we came to the dolphin enclosure, it was getting late in the day and they were actually just announcing that they were going to close up in the next 15 min. so we went in having no idea that you could buy fish here as well to feed the dolphins, and they were close enough for you to touch them! Even if you didn't have fish, they would swim around the edges letting people pet them and pat them on the head until the trainers there would give commands for some of the tricks, a lot of people got really wet. We got this part on video showing Connor and Sherri feeding the dolphins. I didn't have any fish but a couple of them came right up to me and let me pet them. (that's my hand in the picture) There had to be 10-15 dolphins in here swimming around, jumping and splashing people, it was unbelievable. Overall it was another great day. Now we start the drive home. We'd love to stay longer, we're just having too much fun, but, tomorrow we head East toward home with a small detour at our last destination - the Grand Canyon.

San Diego Zoo more pictures

Day 25 - San Diego Zoo

Two of our favourite animals at the zoo.

Now I am going to be honest I have wanted to go to the San Diego zoo since I was a little girl. Anytime you saw a zoo on T.V it was this one, all the biggest research, births, rarest animals all of it and since I was and am a big animal nerd I waited and waited and finally I got to go. Now you may ask was it all you thought and dreamed it would be........... Well, I would have to say yes, yes it is. I didn't even get to see it all, you really need 2 days but I did get to see the Giant Panda born there a year ago and alot of other great animals, there isn't much else to say, Connor & Rhys enjoyed themselves and Greg liked it too. Hey any zoo that serves Margaritas in the cafe is ok with me. Enjoy the pictures.

Day 24 - Aquarium of the Pacifac

We spent today at the Aquarium of the Pacifac in Long Beach, CA. I found it wasn't nearly as good as the Monterey Bay Aquarium but Connor didn't seem to care and completely enjoyed himself. This aquarium had 3 different touch pools, so there was no line ups and you could spend all the time you wanted. Because of this we got to linger and touch: bat rays, another ray (4ft wing span but don't know what species) leopard sharks (1-3ft long) zebra sharks (1ft - 6ft long) a few other sharks that I don't know, horseshoe crabs (weird) and random fish that didn't feel as social as the others and just darted away. It was strange the rays feel like rubber but the sharks are like sand paper, so if you didn't see who swam by you could tell by how they felt. Connor was a little dumbfounded by this big guy (Endangered White Sea Bass) They also had a really nice Lorikeet Aviary, you were able to go in with a little cup of nectar to feed them. At first they weren't interested and we figured they were full, but within moments we had some takers. Connor loved feeding them. Here is our favourite pic.

Rhys in Disneyland

I have included the odd pictures of just Rhys. He is usually in his stroller and alot of times he is asleep when things are happening or I have him covered with his sunshade since he can't use sunscreen yet. So here is everyones Rhys hit. As a mother I must point out the gorgeous blue eyes the boy has and of course how perfectly beautiful he is.

Day 18-23 Anaheim

We have spent the past week in Anaheim enjoying the Disney life. We spent our first day at Universal Studios, really not that impressed. Connor like Shrek 4D as did we but it wasn't nearly as good as the Floriday one. We spend 1 day shopping at an outlet mall and got some great deals, but lets be honest it is Disney that was the focus. We spent 12 hours at Disneyland!!!!! We wanted to see the fireworks so we stayed and then just couldn't leave. The fireworks were amazing and Connor & Rhys loved them. The park was good but it was so crowded that it really got in the way of enjoying the park. Connor & Rhys were able to go on quiet a few rides with Greg and I, follows are a photo of what Rhys thought.

California Adventure Park I personally enjoyed more. It wasn't that crowded and it's smaller size made it less overwelming. We saw Muppets 3D (it hasn't changed except the missing dimension) and Connor spent about an hour in the water park, staying perfectly dry in his true Connor way. Every other kids was drenched but not ours, he was bone dry. I think we both found the best thing about Disney was the general enviorment and the awesome shops. We hit Downtown Disney at night and it was alive with energy and was a great time. Connor met Mater & Lightning McQueen from Cars which was pretty cool, he loved the cars but they had that loud car roaring noise that freaked him and alot of other kids out.

Connor has been a great boy, he gets tired but still perseveres, he has enjoyed saying Hi to his favorite movie characters.

It is late so I am going to bed, tomorrow I will add to this in a Part B.

Rhys and the Nectarine

I decided this morning to give Rhys a nectarine I got Connor which he of course refused instead getting a muffin. But Rhys was grateful, I peeled half of it and this is what it looked like.......... although the mess and stickiness really doesn't show well enough on film. Mr. Innocent.

Day 17 Monterrey Bay

We are now finished with our week long visit to San Francisco and are heading for our Disneyland leg. Before that we have our 1 day stop in Monterrey Bay. I personally have been looking forward to this day more that anything. About a year ago I saw a program on PBS about the making of this aquarium. I never thought I would get the chance but I vowed then that I would see the aquarium if I ever had the opportunity. Well here I am!!!!.

First, it was more that I expected. It was breathtaking. Connor loved it and we actually ran out of time and the aquarium closed but we still had a great time. The aquariums focus is on marine life within 100 miles of the California coast and it is remarkable what they have. From their balconies which there are many of, you can watch sea otters at play in the kelp forest. I will try to pick the best pictures but it will be hard. It was a great day for the whole family!!!!

The aquarium has a huge kelp forest it is 2 stories and is full of sharks,rays, fish etc... it is really neat they have it rigged so that the water comes direct from the ocean complete with the current, so the kelp forest is simply an extension of the ocean. It is hauntingly beautiful.

The have a touch pool for kids that is full of bat rays, they are very social and will leave the corner of the pool to swim over to the kids. When they see all the hands in the water they usually raise their wing right out of the water for everyone to touch. All of us got to touch on, they feel like rubber. This is a huge room and all around is

aquarium full of sardines, each "light" is a fish swimming round and round and round with gaping mouths feeding constantly. It is really something to see. Another great thing was an entire floor dedicated to kids Connors age, it was play gyms and slides, water games all with an educational ocean theme for kids. That night we stayed at Casa Munras, a beautiful villa style hotel with the best beds in existence. They were high off the floor with Feather mattresses and down pillows and comforters, I don't think Greg and I have ever slept that well. The hotel was beautiful.

Connor Vs. the Ocean

Our little fearless boy Connor met his first wave the other day on the way to L.A. After a few tentitive first steps on the fluffy beach sand he was comfortable and ready to run. When he noticed the water he headed right for the still wet sand neither he nor I realized how big the next wave coming toward the coast was or how far in it would bring the water. Before I could catch him he was running on the wet sand and just as I yelled stop and he turned around the tide rushed up around him, the force pushing him to his hands and knees and the freezing ocean water washed up over his shoulders. My poor boy was terrified, I grabbed him and to his credit he only cried for a moment. Following are a few pictures of before his episode and after. Yesterday he asked when he could go in the water again. Watta Boy.

Coast Pictures

Here are some additional coastal pictures for everyone to enjoy.
This is an example of how Hwy # 1 meanders with the coast, you typically have a cliff to your left and the beach (sometimes with a terrifying drop) to your right.

Day 11 to 16 San Francisco

This past few days has been great. The hotel (Hotel Whitcolm) we booked was a lot swankier than we had expected, which is nice except for that never ending feeling that you don't belong. San Francisco doesn't seem to be a family vacation spot at all, if fact I feel like these past few days we saw very few children maybe that has something to do with the rainbow flags everywhere ????? (I thought I booked the hotel far enough away from the gay sector but apparently not!) well regardless the only way to know where we were was the flags and the well dressed men. Did I mention that San Francisco is the homeless capital of the world???? well it is, they are everywhere and in various states of poverty and in every neighborhood. I found San Francisco to be pretty and nice and dirty and scary at the same time. Even in the tourist areas. We spent our first day shopping at the Westfield Center which was a very upscale mall, it was pretty but the most remarkable thing was the food court. No McDonald's here the choices were awesome from fresh Thai & Japanese to organic Salads and Bison Burgers. On top of the selection all cutlery & dishes were real nothing disposable, it was great. I had Thai and it was amazing.

The second day we headed out to Napa Valley and it was disappointing to say the least mainly because we were early for the main tourist stuff and secondly we couldn't go on any tours with the kids. Nice drive though

We spent the next 2 days on the Wharf. First we went to Pier 39 (which is shops & restaurants) we saw the sea lions and had a great time.

Greg happened to stumble upon Mr. Darth Vader himself David Prowse he had him sign his shirt with Vader on it that he happened to wear it was pretty cool. The next day we went to the Ferry Farmers market. You can see how the California way of eating is so amazing. The produce was beautiful, mostly organic and quiet affordable. I picked up some organic strawberries, olilberries (blackberry/Marion berry) some artisan cheeses with crusty bread and add to that some peaches for Connor and a few apples and you have a beautiful cheese plate. It was so Delicious with the Napa wine............ Lets just say I wish I had a market like that nearby, it really puts even the St.Jacobs Market (which is great) to shame. I don't think I will ever look at a Farmers Market the same again. It was a fabulous day.

After that we went to Fisherman's Wharf it was nice and a lot warmer that the other day. Did I mention that it is freezing in San Francisco???? that is right their summer temperatures hover in around 15 degrees and with a cool ocean breeze it gets really cold.

All in all San Francisco was a nice visit, much cooler than I expected and a little dirtier but it was still an enjoyable visit.