Talon's Sea World Trip

When I was in the second grade we lived next door to my mom's really good friend Marina. Marina and her husband Dan didn't have any children. Marina was from Germany, and her brother (or maybe it was her sister) and his wife (or her husband, whatever) and their two children came to visit to go on a California trip. For some reason, I was invited along. It was a really wonderful trip. Even though the two girls only spoke German, I don't remember it being a problem - we were still able to communicate and play. We went to Sea World, Disneyland, the beach, and who knows where else.

I've always wanted to pass it forward. That is the first (and so far, only) time I've been to Disneyland. It's one of those places that I've meant to get back to, but it just never really happened (I must not want it that badly). I have a number of nieces and nephews. Some live out of state, and some have had an opportunity and will likely have future opportunities for their own CA/theme park trips. But my one nephew Talon hasn't been and probably wouldn't have an opportunity to go. So I promised him that when he got older, I would take him.

The original plan had been for Disneyland, but when we took our San Diego trip in March, J scored free tickets to Sea World. So I thought I'd leave it up to Talon. When I saw him at Sunday night family dinner, I started to ask, "Hey Talon, do you want to go to Sea World, or would you rather go to Disneyland?" but I only got as far as, "Hey Talon, do you want to go to Sea World --" when he yelled, quite excitedly, "Heck yes!!"

Sea World it was.

We left Friday morning, went to the beach, spent Saturday at Sea World, and then drove home Sunday. It was just a short trip. Talon was actually well behaved, but he had normal ten-year-old habits that are just annoying. No fault of his own, it's just his age.

Can you see Shamu?

This kid loved the Shamu show.

Did I mention Jacob came along too? We had four free tickets.

I wore a swimsuit top. First of all, I knew we were going to get wet, and second of all I didn't want a weird tan. A woman looked me up and down and said, "A swimsuit! Great idea!"

Under the shark tunnel.

The Dirt Nerd was amazed with this tree.

He had this shirt specially made from one of the shops on the beach.

We passed the tree again and he had to admire it. Again.

I love Talon's face in this picture.

It was a good trip.