San Diego 2019 - Day 10

Today was travel home day.  MBM and the twinkies left San Diego first at 11:20 while Lola and AA left at 1pm.  We dropped off the first crew at around 9:45.  Lola helped them unload and get all bags checked in while AA went and got gas for the van.

Our rental house

Once bags were checked in, Lola said her good-byes and left the gang to make the short, direct flight back to Austin.

Lola and AA made the most of the time they had left in San Diego, making a short drive over to Coronado Island ("Let's drive over that big bridge" said Lola).  The island was pretty neat and had a small town feel yet still the big city amenities.  We drove out to a State park to check out the beach for a few minutes before turning the van around and heading back to the airport.

Our first flight from San Diego to Calgary was a little delayed due to baggage loading.  We weren't too sure what was going on but we could clearly see the crew chief losing his mind over something, throwing his papers up in the air and storming off.  Once bags were loaded, we made the 3.5 hr flight to Calgary, enjoying some scenic views along the California coast past Los Angeles before turning inland.

Mission Bay

La Jolla

LA

We wandered around the Calgary airport looking for somewhere to eat, finally settling on Chili's to try and kill the 3 hr layover with some food and then some "screen time" as we watched an episode of Tailor and the Jets (a Bell production with Ace Burpee interviewing two of the Jets players as they get fitted for suits).

The flight to Winnipeg was routine.  After we deplaned, we were soon immersed in a sea of people.  There was hundreds of people waiting for bags and people waiting for people waiting for bags.  It was a zoo, I've never seen it that busy.  Ever.

Now we are back home and trying to adjust to Central time again.  I have a feeling it's going to be an early morning tomorrow to get up and go to work...

AA

San Diego 2019 - Day 9

Today was our last full day in San Diego and we made the best of it.  We elected for some more sleep this morning since the Museum didn't open until 10am and we were all pretty tired from all of the adventures we've taken.

We arrived at the museum shortly after 10.  The kids were pretty excited to explore all of the exhibits and have their Dad tell them all about things.  They especially liked the space capsule they got to lay in, the space suit they got to try on, the simulators they got to fly and the kids exhibit area.

AA and DD liked... all of it.

Once everyone had their fill of airplanes (although AA could have stayed longer), it was time for lunch at Lola's favourite restaurant - Shake Shack.  Lola had her usual - Double Shack burger with a gluten free bun and no cheese.  And crinkle cut fries.  Everyone else had their fair share of burgers and shakes as well.

Next up was to try and find a beach to go swimming at.  Lola found somewhere on a map where there were some seals and was hoping we could go swimming near there.  It was a short 20 mins drive but there was no parking nearby as everyone had the same idea as us and wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather at the beach.  We eventually found some parking on a side-street not far away and went to check out the seals.  The kids really enjoyed it but were a little disappointed we couldn't get closer.

We decided that we were going to find a different place to go swimming since the 6' surf was probably too advanced for the twinkies, even though they are very good swimmers.  We took the scenic drive from La Jolla south towards Mission Beach.  The streets were lined with restaurants and surf shops - the epitome Southern California seaside scape.

Once we found a parking spot and kids were in bathing suits, it was time for swimming with Lola and AA (DD didn't bring a suit, recall his 15 mins packing limitations; MBM forgot her suit in the house, unsure if it was intentional or not... ;) ).  The kids ran into the water and the adults followed behind to find out that the water was COLD!  Lola claims this is the coldest water she has stood in; AA recalls swimming in the Mediterranean Sea in May 2008 where the water was a similar temperature.

The kids had a blast running and splashing in the water.  B enjoyed searching for shells in the sand, picking the biggest ones she could find even if they were broken.  T enjoyed scooping and throwing sand.  After about 45 mins of swim time, the kids were getting cold so it was time to change and have a snack on the grass.

Then, we packed up back in the van and made the short drive back to the house so kids could be bathed and ready for supper.  Supper was at Lazy Dog - the food was really good.  DD quickly at a few appetizers before getting a Lyft to the airport so he could catch his flight home tonight.

We enticed the kids to finish their supper with popsicles back at the house, probably not the best thing to offer just before bedtime but it was better to do that than offer dessert at the restaurant and still be there...

Now (at 8:45), kids are fast asleep and we are slowly thinking about packing our bags to be ready to go home tomorrow.  It sure is going to be hard to leave behind the warmth and sunshine of San Diego.

AA