Change of Scenery

Perhaps this doesn't look too terribly different

from the area in which we now live.

But it is.

It is much grander.

Much more red.

Much more interesting

with cliffs and arches and pinnacles.

It is Moab.

The Hiker's-Biker's-Jeeper's

Mecca.

We came here for our Spring Break.

We're staying in a condo on the golf course.

Which is funny because we live on a golf course at home.

And we don't really play golf.

But we're thinking about changing all that.

We're staying in a pseudo-pueblo

decorated in all things southwestern

(required for homes down here. Can you imagine

Colonial here? Or a Martha's Vineyard style? Would that be

too confusing?).

In the meantime: Moab.

We're here.

We have Delicate Arches to photograph.

We have Canyonlands to gaze out over.

We have Kokopelli galleries to visit.

The evening light is breathtaking.

Let the adventures begin.

Filling In The Gaps

Well, now that I've let my brain unscramble a little bit I want to finish the unfinished, for our own family history if nothing else. And I'm just going to do it all at once.

So...

Tuesday

December 30, 2008

San Diego, California

The day started with another lovely walk on the beach with Doug. What a great way to start each day.

This is looking up towards Belmont Park...

It was a little bit of a slower pace on this day, after the day before. Here Doug is reading on the deck while everyone gets ready to go. You can see the beach between the houses.

We went to Scripp's Aquarium and the first thing we saw when we entered was a very large educational display about global warming, which Nick does NOT believe is real. It was a pretty funny moment.

Further evidence of my connection with the sea: shells are made of calcium carbonate-my kidney stones are made of calcium carbonate. Hummm...

There were some curious creatures and fascinating displays. And a cute girl.

And plenty of opportunity to ham it up...

Fred and Abbie looking out for whales...

And a final pose in front of the whale statue. We seem to be having a theme for this trip.

When Doug and I went on our honeymoon to Catalina Island we discovered Big Olaf's waffle cones. This was kind of at the beginning of the waffle cone thing because we had never heard of them before. When we took the kids there four years ago we made sure to find Big Olaf's to have our cones, and it was still there.

Sam discovered a place that sold Big Olaf's on the beach, so we had to go, of course!

There is something very charming about beach joints. You just have to trust that the health department is keeping up on things.

So we lolly-gagged...

on the boardwalk...

eating our Big Olaf's, because it is a family tradition...

And then we headed to the zoo. Unfortunately we spent a little too much time lolly-gagging and didn't have a lot of time for the zoo. So we decided to take it in the cheater's way: on the bus. Hey, it worked! How much time do you REALLY need to spend looking at animals in cages? (Well, my true feelings about zoos just came out.)

As you see, we were on the top deck. No problem on this trip with the top deck.

Panda bear

Giraffes

Doug and Abbie with the flamingoes

And a fog rolled in and we took a quick drive through the Gas Lamp part of town and Nick was feeling really sick so we stopped at Costco for some pharmaceuticals for him and some pizza to take back to the house. Nothing really thrilling. The next day would be thrilling. The next day would be the whale watching expedition...

Wednesday

December 31, 2008

San Diego, California

Who knew how this day would go?

I actually have a bit of a hard time thinking about this day.

It started out lovely and fine. Here is Abbie and her Webkinz, Lilly, as we head out to sea.

The guide on the boat was really interesting, giving us all sorts of facts and information as we went past different sights. 

So when he told us about something we'd look at it and learn about it. It was a good tour. He was from Scripp's Aquarium, so he also told us a lot of ocean/animal related things.

It took a bit of time, but whales were finally sighted and it was pretty cool!

This whale was the first one and it was pretty far out, but  pretty cool to see.

This whale was closer and was the last photo I snapped before I went down, as the whale was getting ready to do. It would have been a cool photo, if only...

{{{shudder}}} I really don't like to think about the rest of that day. So I won't. It is over and done and my CT scan was normal and we're just going to go with that. Right? Right.

Happy New Year.

Thursday

January 1, 2009

San Diego, California and somewhere over Utah

Every morning on my walk along the beach I would collect shells. Doug also contributed. They weren't always perfect shells, sometimes they were just parts of shells but they each had their own beauty. I'd put them on this dish at the house so that we could all enjoy them. This is the dish before I packed up the shells...

And because I want to remember, and because I know my Mom enjoys these little details, I hurried and snapped a couple of photos of our house on my way out the door.

It was a great little house to stay in. Lots of good memories.

And as we left I snapped a shot of Mission Beach and where we had so much fun. I zoomed in on this picture and found our house on the ocean side, kind of where the houses start to angle up.

*sigh*

And in an hour or so this is what I saw out the window:

That ribbon of highway is good 'ol I-15, and I thought: "Ugh. We almost drove..."

So there you have it. 

Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

Whale-Swell-Fell

Thursday

December 31, 2008

The Ocean

We were watching a whale.

There was a great swell.

And then I fell.

*sigh*

I was too close to the stairway on the upper deck, eye to the camera with the telephoto lens,

the ocean did a heave-ho and I went d-o-w-n the stairs backwards and hit the deck with a resounding thud on my head.

But I protected the camera... 

So the afternoon was shot for me. We did end up going to the hospital so I could get checked out and it looks like my hard head might be good for something. I'll take it easy for the next day or so (as per doctor's instructions) and let the huge goose egg go away.

And that, my friends, is how I'm welcoming the New Year!

How Much Can You Pack Into A Day?

Monday

December 29,2008

San Diego, California

The title of this post should really be:

"Hey, Shaun, Too Many Pictures"

but it isn't.

And so, let's just get going.

Actually, before we get going on yesterday, I need to say something about how my life has been revolutionized by technology. It isn't too much of a surprise to my family to know that I am sort of entering the world of technology kicking and screaming. I am a paper and pen sort of person. A "let's have a real conversation with our voices face-to-face" sort of person. I do have a cell phone, but I don't carry it with me at all times. I have pretty much used the computer just to e-mail. Starting this blog was a huge step for me to take, and for me to make it public a couple of months ago made me feel a bit naked.

I have now found technology that I embrace with all my heart and with no reservations:

A portable GPS system.

I took the above photo while we were driving at night (as you can see) because I was so enthralled-relieved-grateful to not be reading a map and trying to figure out where we needed to go.

Yesterday we went all over the place and never once, no, not once, did we get lost.

This is the coolest thing. Yeah, yeah, I know. Most of you are thinking "what's the big deal? I have one of those in my car." Well, we don't. So when Doug bought this last month, knowing we'd need it for this trip, I was thinking, "What is it with men and these techno toys? Just get a map".

I had no idea.

I am amazed at what it can do. I am so grateful that we had it on this trip. I am going to stop kicking and screaming about technology.

*******************************

Yesterday was a fun day. Very fun. Very full.

#1. A morning walk on the beach. No Pictures.

#2. Speed racing. This was ridiculously fun. Doug and the boys were maniacs, as was expected.

And Abbie surprised me. I saw a side of my daughter that I didn't know existed. She needed no help from me or anyone else. She was fast. She was competent. She was a speed racer.

#3. La Jolla for lunch

Fred and Sam hanging out at the beach.

(oops, you can see the brick wall. Now you know it is a fake beach)

Insanely HUGE, but vegetarian, burger

#4. Ocean kayaking. THIS was fun. I actually didn't do this, but I had fun on the beach taking pictures. And Nick didn't do it because he is feeling sick (drat) and stayed in the car sleeping.

But those who did it had a blast.

Here they are starting out and getting their kayaking legs

Jake

I walked a fair way down the beach and then climbed on some rocks and used my telephoto lens with the tripod to get these shots. I wasn't always sure if I was getting my family or not. Here they are over by the cove with the sea lions.

While I waited for them to get closer I enjoyed just being. I also took a few "just because" photos.

Looking up the beach to where we started (other red kayaks)

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

So, now they're coming back and getting closer, pausing here and there to look at the Leopard sharks or dolphins

Sam

Jake and Fred

Sam

Doug and Abbie

Jake

Fred

Then Jake discovered how much fun it is to ride the surf in...
...and after that he was done with the observing.
Then Doug and Abbie realized the fun...
...as did Sam
They had a great time, yes, they did.

#5. Belmont Park.

This little amusement park is about 1/2 mile up the beach from our house. It is all very beachy and funky. It is also included in our Go Card. So we went.

Christmas wreath on wooden roller coaster

which we all went on

(I think they are getting tired of me telling them to stand still for a minute...)

#6. The FlowRider at Belmont Park

An hour's worth of fake surfing. It was harder than they thought it would be. And it was HI-LAR-I-OUS to watch!!

The good pictures first:

Abbie

Doug

Fred

Jake

Sam

And now the really good pictures (note: Nobody was hurt in the photo taking of this event. But those of us who were watching sure did laugh a lot!)

Sam

Abbie

Jake

Fred-going down

Doug

It was some kind of a day.

Yes. It was.