We're going back to Cali

Right after returning home from northern California in May, we booked a trip to Washington DC for October.  The plan was to fly into Baltimore and drive to DC, enjoying the fall foliage along the way.  Cue prophetic phrase, "Best laid plans of mice and men often go astray."  Days before our trip, the federal government was still in the midst of a shut down, meaning the national parks and monuments in DC would be closed.  No amount of planning could have predicted that.  Long story short, that's how we detoured from DC to southern California. 

Just on the cusp on a horrible snow and ice storm attacking Oklahoma, we were lucky to get out of town and avoided the thing entirely.  We arrived to sunny, slightly colder than normal Santa Monica, where we enjoyed fish tacos and margaritas on an open air patio, framed with swaying palm trees and the sun setting over the Pacific.  The next morning brought a 5-mile run on a sidewalk that paralleled the beach.  These people are genius!  A sidewalk in view of the waves.  Be still my heart.

Dinner in Santa Monica

This would never get old.

Our next stop was Anaheim, an inglorious LA suburb, best known for Disneyland, which was the only reason we were there.  The morning that we were set to go, I kept saying, "We're going to see the mouse! Disneyland!" AnnaB was oblivious to the fun awaiting her.  Us grown ups were more excited than she was.  It didn't take long for her to catch on though.  AnnaB rode her first ride, Pinocchio, followed in rapid succession by the Teacups, Dumbo and Alice in Wonderland.  She loved them all.  Waiting in line, however, was not our 2-year-old's specialty.

Despite her sourpuss face, AnnaB had a blast in Disneyland.

Dumbo ride with daddy!

Checking out all of the sea lions at La Jolla Beach.

The last few days were spent in wonderful San Diego.  You wouldn't have to twist my arm to live there.  I could call it home in a heart beat.  Another couple of fabulous runs - one in the crisp air of Torrey Pines and the other along the water at Seaport Village.  Our hotel was within a block of the USS Midway, a WWII-era battleship, docked in the San Diego Bay.  After heading out for a couple of miles, it was a beacon in the distance, directing me home.  That's something I can't get in land-locked Oklahoma.

Not only do I love to run, but I also love to eat (if all truth be told, that's WHY I run).  We found a hole-in-the-wall pizza joint, reminiscent of every college town's favorite hippie pizza, and ate ourselves silly.  Another night, we dined within sight of the water in Seaport Village, indulging with a a cold beer, under heat lamps on the patio.  It doesn't get much better than that.

We explored the San Diego Zoo over 2 days.  It is an amazing place that transported us to whole new worlds.  We were awe-struck at the exhibits, baby girl, not so much.  She was underwhelmed at the necessity of her stroller, which is a fight not worth having with a tired almost-2 year old. 

As penance for her unruly zoo behavior, AnnaB cooperated on both flights to get us home without pulling out any hair.  Another fantastic trip for the (virtual) photo album, only made better knowing that our next adventure is just around the corner.

Out of her stroller at the San Diego Zoo.

Last run in San Diego before heading back to reality.