San Diego With Gabe

Very first flight.  He said he likes road trips better. 

So - Gabe is the third victim to get his trip with Grandma CoCo.  This time, Papa was brought along.  I figure if they are from my direct lineage, I am taking them alone.  I'm kind of selfish - but oh well  If they are from Papa's direct lineage, then Papa needs to experience the quality time. 

Gabe was asked last year if he could go somewhere, where did he want to go.  He chose Universal Studios.  He stuck to that for a very long time.  Then within the last month, he decided he wanted to go to San Diego to Sea World.  He was given the choice of San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park as a second day trip.  He chose the zoo.  I tried to trip him up on the first day, and offered Lego Land - - he stuck to his guns with the zoo.

So - getting him here was a bit of a stressful time.  Flights got filled up really quick from Idaho Falls to SLC.  Plus, either Ted or I had to get up there in the first place to pick him up.  We were working on getting doing the pick up on Friday, then from there to San Diego.  We finally decided that Thursday to Pocatello was the only way.  Ted missed our annual meeting for the HOA - but he made it up there and was able to fly with Gabe on his very first flight.

The next morning I worked until 11:30.  Came home, threw on some different clothes and we headed to Walgreens for some Dramamine for the kid who threw up after a thirty minute flight and then to the airport. 

We didn't get on the 3:00 flight and the 5:00 didn't look great.  But, kindly, some four passengers did not check in and we were on our way.  By the way, the Dramamine worked.  😋😋

We checked into our hotel and it pretty much sucked.  I remembered staying there when Ted and I got stuck overnight.  It sucked.  The guy at the front desk was amazing and agreed to let us cancel and we moved to a different hotel that was much better. 

Our first day was at Sea World.  It rained all day - but, it was like this fine mist that was constant.  So we were wet.  I was going to buy the all you can eat for us with our tickets, then I decided that I was going to do the Dining with Killer Whales.  It was the same price. It was amazing to be so up close and see them.  Gabe was done by 4:00 and we were in the pool by around 5:01.  It was not easy getting him out of the pool.

The next day was the zoo.  I was so excited to see the koalas and the panda bear.  Other than that, I didn't care much, just wanted to see what we could see.  We had a great day.  Gabe was done by 4:00 again.  We took him over Coronado Bridge and then he was in the pool at 5:01.  It was even less easy getting him out that night.  Even though the pool was officially closed and he was in there.

We flew home to SLC at 10:00 a.m. and then had to get Gabe to Idaho Falls on the 5:00 flight.  It ended up being delayed two and a half hours!!  I thought I might die!!!  Got him dropped off around 8:05 and back in the air to come home at 8:30 and home at 10:00.  It was a looooong day!!!

PICTURES!!!!!

This guy was funny.  He went right up to Gabe.  Gabe turned his back on him and he flipped water up and onto Gabe.

The first of the rain ponchos.  CoCo tried to make it a bit more comfortable and it was
completely ruined within a few hours.  They were kind and replaced it

Meet Harvey

We were wandering toward the penguins.  This woman walked out and asked us if we would like to meet Harvey.  It
was the very coolest thing we ever did.  We got to take photos with him, see him train and watch their interaction  It was just the three of us.  Nobody else.  He was such a happy guy.

Feeding the manta ray

Koala Bear - - - - this made me soooooo happy

Lunch time 

Stubborn girl refused to wake up and look at me.  This was the best I got

Papa and CoCo are old folk - - and needed a rest

Polar bear plunge

On the tram looking out.  We caught a glimpse of the gorillas.  It was cool.

Yeah - the bane of my existence.  The pool.  Once you got him in there - he didn't wanna come out.  Even if it was
closed for maintenance.  He was staying in there.

Every kid needs a set of penguin slippers I guess

So - the hotel had this pancake making machine.  They made a couple at a time.  He made this
stack.  

And then ate them in a pile like this.  And dipped them in the syrup.