Day: December 2, 2016

Cabrillo National Monument

We love getting our National Parks passports stamped, and so we headed to Cabrillo National Monument after lunch. None of us were expecting anything special. We just wanted the stamp.

But holy moly, we were blown away. We learned all about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, Spanish exploration ships, lighthouses and tide pools. We ended the day sitting on the tide pool cliffs. All of us sang “Baby Beluga” to Ammon while we watched the sun set. I don’t think I have ever watched a full sunset before. It was magical.

Abe attired in Spanish conquistador armor.
Abe attired in Spanish conquistador armor.

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Mary thought the armor was heavy.
Mary thought the armor was heavy.
The armor was a little bit big for Mary.
The armor was a little bit big for Mary.
In front of the Cabrillo statue.
In front of the Cabrillo statue.
Ammon was soaked from our La Jolla adventure, so Abe kept him warm in his sweatshirt.
Ammon was soaked from our La Jolla adventure, so Abe kept him warm in his sweatshirt.
This nice ranger told us all about life in the lighthouse. Apparently, the family in the lighthouse could go weeks without seeing anyone but each other. Sign me up!! The last member of the family to live there related that it was a most enchanting place to grow up After touring the darling rooms inside, seeing the cute garden outside and experiencing the nearby tide pools, I can hardly imagine a more magical setting for childhood.
This nice ranger told us all about life in the lighthouse. Apparently, the family in the lighthouse could go weeks without seeing anyone but each other. Sign me up!! The last member of the family to live there related that it was a most enchanting place to grow up After touring the darling rooms inside, seeing the cute garden outside and experiencing the nearby tide pools, I can hardly imagine a more magical setting for childhood.
I wish I had gotten a photo of the children's bedroom because it was the sweetest, but I didn't. I got a picture of the kitchen, though.
I wish I had gotten a photo of the children’s bedroom because it was the sweetest, but I didn’t. I got a picture of the kitchen, though.
What a sweet garden.
What a sweet garden.

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The girls climbed the sides of some of the sand cliffs and found a perfect spot to play house in.
The girls climbed the sides of some of the sand cliffs and found a perfect spot to play house in.

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I have a million pictures of this, but I had such a wonderful experience sitting there with Ammon. We sat together holding hands for the longest time. He played with the sand with his other free hand, and I spent a long time enjoying his contentment.
I have a million pictures of this, but I had such a wonderful experience sitting there with Ammon. We sat together holding hands for the longest time. He played with the sand with his other free hand, and I spent a long time enjoying his contentment.

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The tide pool cliffs.
The tide pool cliffs.
We loved exploring the tide pools. I kept thinking of the book, How to Raise a Wild Child. I felt really good watching my kids experience the sights, sounds, and feels of nature.
We loved exploring the tide pools. I kept thinking of the book, How to Raise a Wild Child. I felt really good watching my kids experience the sights, sounds, and feels of nature.

La Jolla shores

On Friday morning we headed over to La Jolla shores. Abe was exhausted from our sleepless night at Circus Circus and coming down from stress at work, but even still he managed to give our children the experience of a lifetime. He and the children communicated with the ocean–and the seals swimming just yards from where they were standing. It didn’t matter to him that he got completely soaked and had to be cold for the rest of the day. He’s just the best.

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Ammon wanted a turn!
Ammon wanted a turn!

img_1089 img_1090 img_1091 img_1105 img_1100 img_1107After we were done communing with nature, we walked up to the restaurants and shops by La Jolla. We ate incredible Indian food and the best gelato I’ve had in a full decade.

img_1108 img_1109And here’s a picture from right before this expedition. The girls played “tea party” outside of our condo while Abe and I got ready for our Friday adventures.

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