Things to do with grandkids in Avocado-land

We had the pleasure of a visit from 14-year-old Gabriel last week, and managed to fit in a few things we like to do and thought he would enjoy. He and I took the train (and connecting Amtrak buses), from where he lives in Petaluma to Oceanside, and Grandpa (aka Mike) picked us up. The train trip is long, the bus links feel longer, but thanks to electric outlets at each seat on the trains, computer chess and the snack bar, it was fine. There's even wifi.

Gabe loves Mexican food, and we have plenty of that around here. However, here he was in Avocado-land, and he doesn't like avocados! He was philosophical about it when his two tacos arrived with guacamole spread across them. He just scraped as much away as he could. We also went out for western style barbecue (Gabe had some amazing barbecue nachos) and for Mongolian barbecue. Spicy-food-loving kid after my own heart. And very adaptable!

A couple of days we took morning walks at Kit Carson Park, where I finally got a picture of the momma duck and her remaining eight ducklings. She started with eleven. I hate to think.
Kit Carson Park is 285 acres, 100 of them developed. I looked it up. There are trails through the undeveloped parts, and a large amount of the developed acres are devoted to playing fields of all types. Lots of shady picnic areas too. Since Gabe plans on doing cross-country when he starts high school in the fall, we sent him on a trail loop while we dawdled along in our elderly fashion.

And, Kit Carson Park has one of the most imaginative and colorful features you'll find anywhere, Queen Califia's Magical Circle, designed by Niki de Saint Phalle. We always take visitors to see it. It's maybe three miles from our house. These shots were taken on a previous visit, close to sunset.

A small section of Califia's domain

The Queen herself

We went down to La Jolla to the Birch Aquarium, overlooking the Pacific on the UC San Diego campus. The original aquarium, which we visited when Gabe's dad was a kid, was part of the original UC Oceanographic Institute facility there. Now there's a full-scale aquarium (it's not Monterey Bay, but it's nice, and inexpensive in comparison.) I never saw a nautilus in real life before, and the seahorses (sea dragon) and coral reef exhibits were gorgeous.

And finally, the San Diego Safari Park, which is just up the road. We went around mid-day and most of the animals seemed to be taking their noon naps. Here's my favorite animal. He's getting tall! 

It's great to have enough things to do within striking distance of home when we have company. So get in touch if you're coming our way.