Mini Vacation to Big Bear--Day 3

We were supposed to wake up early and drive to a waterpark in Irvine, but we decided we didn't have our fill yet of Big Bear. So we stayed another day.

We cleaned up and checked out our our cabin at MCCS.

The kids played pool in the office and played at the MCCS playground in the morning.

Next we drove around the lake to check on the price of renting a jetski, but finally settled on going on a hike. The problem was that a thundercloud rolled in over the mountains and there was thunder and lightning. We weren't sure it was safe to hike or not. We drove to another trailhead to see if it was any better. This turned out to be a fun hike at Castle Rock. We heard thunder, but no one was struck by lightning.


There were lots of granite bolders for the kids to climb on to get views of the lake.

This was a fun fallen tree to climb up on to get to the top of the boulders.

They conquered the hill for a fantastic view.

Aleya wanted to climb up too! Christian helped her rock climb a little, so she could see the view.
Afterwards, we found "Swim Beach" which had a small admission price, but had a nice sandy beach . . . free from rocks . . . and had a water trampoline and saturn-shaped fun thing for the boys to play on.
Joseph and Orrin enjoyed the Saturn the best. It was really fun to teeter around on.

The kids caught baby catfish.

The girls found a friend and relaxed on the shore.

Aleya played with Daddy in the shallows.

Next we went to Boulder Park and inflated our row boat and took turns taking the kids out to see the boulder island.



We were going to go to one last place before we left Big Bear, but we accidentally left the top open on our luggage carrier and spent an hour trying to locate one of our life jackets that blew out. It was a goner, sadly. So, we headed back home to San Diego.

One more beach trip.

Orrin with his friend, Issac, skipping rocks in the surf. The water never really warmed up much this year, so it was great that most of us had our wetsuits.

Joseph is sculpting in the sand. He made a fish, but it is hard to see it.

Aleya and Amara are frolicking in the sand with their friends from our ward.

The girls decide to try bodyboarding, only to change their minds a few seconds later because the water was TOO COLD!

Here is our beach group from our ward whom we met with at Oceanside beach every week or so.

Kayaking with the Capeners

Our friends, the Goodrichs, invited us to go kayaking with them and some other families down at the San Diego Bay. We picked up the kayaks at the MCRD and the big kids and dads kayaked down the canal to the bay.




They met us at a park right off of the bay, across from the airport and pulled the kayaks up onto the beach.

Everyone brought a potluck picnic lunch to share.


The kids played at the playground and in the sand.

Then the moms took their turn in the kayaks, as well as some of the other adults and kids.

Aleya got a turn to ride with mommy and Amara finally got her turn on the kayak with daddy.

At the end the boys and Christian took the kayaks back up the canal to drop off at MCRD.

What a great kayaking adventure!

**************************LATER******************************

The funny thing is that we were empowered to get our own kayaks from Miramar a week later, and try our hand at kayaking off La Jolla Shores to the caves. It was MUCH HARDER to launch from the beach through the crashing waves. It was a particularly turbulent day and most everyone was wiping out trying to get past the waves. Joseph wiped out 3 times, but Christian made it all right. We didn't dare take Amara or Aleya. We just hung out on the beach. Orrin turned out to be violently ill and huddled in a ball with a towel on him, most of the time.

When they got back, Christian and Joseph told me how wonderful the caves were and how they saw sea lions just a few feet from them. Now it was my turn! Christian thought he should help me get past the waves, but when I fell out of the kayak, a wave pushed the kayak right into his chin and took out a big chunk of skin. I flagged down the life guards in their jeep and asked for a bandaid. They asked why, and when I told them about the injury, they offered their EMT services. Since Christian was doctor, he just used their stuff to bandage himself up until we could get him to the hospital. BUT I STILL WANTED MY TURN!!! So, I went out by myself and only wiped out once. I had a nice solitary time on the open sea on my way to the caves and sea lions. I wiped out completely on the way into the beach (but most people do). We cleaned up our beach gear, loaded up the kayaks on our roof rack, and headed to the hospital. We did have to stop and drop off the kayaks first and then drop Joseph off at a birthday party. We went to the Pomerado ER and in less than an hour Christian had 7 stitches and a fun story to tell.

SeaWorld Summer Fun

Summer is just not complete without a trip to SeaWorld! Aleya tried to rub Shamu's belly.

Shamu underwater viewing is always a favorite for our family.

Then there is the fantastic Shamu show, "Believe."

It took a lot of coaxing to get Aleya to touch the starfish.

She finally got over her fears and picked up a small one.

We love to pet the manta rays, too. They feel slimy and smooth.

Orrin was selected as an audience participant.

The sea lions are so funny! They did some great tricks this time.

New at Seaworld is the Seasame Street Bay of Play. We got to meet several of the characters. Aleya found the large blue hairy monster quite disturbing.

Aleya was a little scared of giant Elmo, but was willing to give him a low five.
Aleya finally started warming up to the giant characters, if mommy was nearby.

A new ride was Elmo's flying fish. Here is the Angelfish.

The swordfish.

Here is the clownfish.