Two Weeks in Lenkaland

[lenkaland]

Before our family vacation, Anika, Ian and I rode the Spooky Train in Nevada City. The Nevada City Traction Company dresses up manikins in the woods and the train winds through giant pines to a small pumpkin patch. I think we have five pumpkins in the house now after various events. Anika asks to carve them every night.

Last Saturday we embarked on the great adventure. First stop was Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. The park was decked out for Halloween (hanging Nosferatu in picture). I wish I could relate
colorful stories of exploring the park, but the truth is we barely left the kids' zone. Anika ran from ride to ride. We met up with cousins yay for cousins) and they kept themselves busy for hours. The park had Halloween celebrations so the kiddos dressed up in the afternoon. Anika's bat girl costume was awesome. The walrus really enjoyed it :)


One curious thing. We held Ian near the glass to see the walrus (he enjoys watching the world these days). The walrus floated in front of Ian, staring. Then the walrus clapped! Really. He slapped his giant flippers together and the sound reverberated through the water and out to us. He clapped three or four times before moving on . . . Animal communication? Or did Ian look tasty?

We drove to Monterey the next day. Ian is a great road tripper! Hurrah. He slept in the car. We drove Monday up to Santa Cruz where Ian met his great aunt and uncle and his great-grandmother. Seeing her holding him, all that time between them and yet the connection of family-beyond-time, I wondered
about my own legacy, my own children and grandchildren. Great grandma has given all of us such gifts of bravery, honesty, family, kindness . . . None of which can be held in a box. And isn't that what life is really about?


We went to Lighthouse Beach for Anika to run around on the sand. The weather was divine. But the ocean was wild. One dog was almost pulled out in a riptide. We had many conversations about water-safety, which was good, but there was a sadness in me as I saw Anika's enthusiasm tempered by apprehensions and fear. I wanted her to have the play-ocean. Another day, another beach.

Tuesday we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Still one of my favorite places in the world. We saw the feeding of the 1,000,000 gallon tank. Giant tuna darting with precision and grace for squid breakfast. Cool. We had a mellow day
wandering the displays. Took a break for a Bubba Gump lunch outdoors on the patio with waves shushing beneath our feet. Wonderful day.

Today is Gio's birthday. Not sure how we're celebrating. Guess I better get organized . . .

Oh, and we got Spore (computer game). Buggy as heck but fun when it works. Anika wants to play with her animal now . . .

And a big project for KinderQuest on Tuesday. Pictures coming soon!