Cabrillo National Monument

For our first full day in San Diego, we wanted to go do something P had been talking about and looking forward to the whole time we were planning this trip - to go see tide pools and the creatures who inhabit them. Great idea! Except... except we came the week the tide was high. And by high, I mean really high! Like giant waves crashing over the rocks high.

We got lucky enough to see some limpets, but no urchins or starfish or other groovy things. None the less, we had a great time. Pax found a feather and was a seagull as we hiked and climbed and got soaked by crashing waves. He and daddy found a super fun double sided hill to run like a ramp and we saw tons of pelicans.

After the adventure, we headed to the visitor center and lighthouse. P earned another Jr Ranger badge and hung out with a Conquistador. It was a bit of a cloudy day, but that didn't dampen our spirits. Pax even swam with a whale! Ok, so it was a cement whale on the sidewalk...

As we passed the national cemetery, we asked Pax if he wanted to stop or keep going. He chose to stop. It was pretty incredible how reverent and respectful he was. For some reason he seems to fully understand and he even asked some compelling questions. He's a good kid.

I think I really dig San Diego.

 whale baleen

 whale shoulder blade

 collecting specimens

 only way we could bring it home was in a photograph

 look what treasure Shawn found on the beach!

 I suggested they not cross over the flooded area

 Here comes why

 that's why

 everything is a toy!

                

 he offered a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers