Day 3: Hike, Museums, & Laser Tag

I woke up early, as usual, and started on a batch of laundry. When our clothes were cleaned up and everyone had breakfast, we set out to find a local hike called Torrey Pines Trail.

It wasn't exactly the sort of hike I was expecting. Part of the trail led us along the highway right next to the cars, so we got off that path as quickly as we could and just went down to the beach instead. A man told us the big waves were coming from an off-shore hurricane.

Since we listened to Harry Potter any time we were in the car, it was funny that the trailhead was on McGonigle road. :)

 I'm guessing these are torrey pine branches.

After the would-be hike, we went to Balboa Park for the museums. It's the most beautiful museum oasis ever. Dave says there's a city called Balboa in Spain, so we think it was patterned after that. 

Lots of trees & tropical plants with giant leaves, a fountain, a center square, beautiful architecture. A hidden walking bridge in the trees. If it wasn't so hot we would have put a blanket out on the grass and taken a nap. Luckily there was a little green tram that we hopped on to get from place to place since it's a very large complex.

Museum of Natural History:

  

Dave gave all the boys $20 to buy souvenirs. Luke and Gid bought legos at Legoland. Owen was happy to find this snake in the gift shop. He tried to win a really big stuffed snake at Legoland the day before, but the game was totally rigged. 

A little railroad museum was nearby. The boys all thought it would be a fun place to volunteer once they retire. 

We went to the Air & Space Museum to see loads of aircraft. 

We snacked on Doritos, trail mix & cookies from the back of the trunk between museums. We had to keep ourselves energized. :) Dave and I both gained close to 7 pounds on this trip from all the junk food and eating out. 

Watched a 4d movie about gravity that would have been much more enjoyable if there hadn't been a high school field trip sitting behind us commenting the whole time. 

This flying game was a hit! Where do we get one of these for our house?

And of course flight simulators kept them very interested.

We ate lunch at the Fleet Science Center. A kid at the table next to ours was throwing up in a bag while the rest of his family continued eating. We moved. Actually Owen, who has a very weak stomach, jumped up and went as far away as possible and we followed after realizing the family had no intention of moving or taking their kid to the bathroom. It was disgusting. I nearly puked myself. But we got to have a lovely picnic by the fountain instead.

Dave said the science center was his favorite. I didn't take any photos inside because I was feeling really achy by then. We took a break from walking to watch an incredibly colorful IMAX film about the great barrier reef. 

The Botanical House was my most favorite place. :) You can see why.

Dave telling the boys the story of El Sid because there was a statue of him out in the the center square.

Belmont Park. Where mom's patience finally fails. :) I had a migraine all day, bronchitis & an achey back. Dave took over and did the rides with the boys so I could just sit as much as possible. My voice had been gone all week too, so I wasn't much help trying to wrangle the boys when they couldn't hear me above the crowds.

Sky walk. Krazy cars. Bumper cars. Speed cars. Rock wall. Laser Tag x2. Arcade games bcuz some nice person gave us his ticket card at the end of the night. 

We've decided we're a laser tag loving family! Gideon wants to go play it for his birthday. We played twice. Dave won both times.

The Hulk - Dave
The Flash - Heidi
Capt. America - Gideon
Thanos - Owen
Dr. Doom - Luke

 This is the Sky Walk. I was so surprised the boys all did it! Gid gave it a go and got down just as quickly. I bet he'll be able to do it next year.

He thought this Speedway ride was way more fun than walking in the air!

Dave got his strawberry funnel cake! He had wanted one from Knottsberry Farm, but we didn't end up going. So we got one with our pizza for dinner and it was insanely sweet and delicious.

After such a busy day, the boys were pretty exhausted and you know how that usually goes. :) I was trying to record them without them noticing. Listen to the end, that's where Owen starts laughing like Archimedes from Sword in the Stone.

We should have known that the boys would have been happy at the beach all day every day. Learned our lesson I guess. We bought the Go Pass to get into loads of attractions. And while it was great to have so many places to visit, on our next vacation to California, I think we'll just buy boogie boards and hang out at Mission Beach/Belmont Park the whole time.