Pet Rock

Apparently, one of these used to cost about $3.50 in the '70's. Ours was free since we started with an obliging rock from our garden. Introducing Trevor's pet rock: Ladybug.

Orange Blossoms

Their sweet perfume fills the air and will always remind me of this place.

The Blues

The last stop of our trip was at the El Centro Air Show. It was the first show of the Blue Angels' 2009 season. They were entertaining, as always, but we were not prepared for the 92 degree heat. Plus, we were anxious to get back home. It's back to the old grind, now!

Seals

There are plenty of seals in southern California. We saw both on this trip. The first kind (with a capital SEALs) we saw doing a training run along the Silver Strand. We were biking along the Nature Trail, and I quickly pointed them out to the boys saying, "Look guys- seals!" Then I realized that I'd better explain to them what kind of SEALs I was talking about before they complained they didn't see any.

A few days later, though, we headed up to La Jolla. A lifeguard at our beach told us there was a cove (or maybe it was caves?) with some seals or sea lions...I wasn't sure which. Some sort of sea-going mammal. And she said it was pup season. So we drove up- armed with only that information. I figured if I pointed us in the general direction of La Jolla and stayed as close to the shore as possible, we'd find it. We stopped for frozen yogurt--I mean directions at a frozen yogurt shop--along the way.


Anyways, we finally made it to La Jolla, and it was easy to find. We just followed all the other people. The kids did mention, though, that it was a little stinky there. I think their words went something like, "Mom, I'm all done. It's too stinky here. It's stinky like seagull poop!" I'm not sure what they thought all the seals were doing.

So fun, though, to see these animals in the wild. If you're ever in the area, check out the La Jolla Seals.