Sea mammals make me cry.  I can't help it, and I make no excuse.  Even more than dogs.  I know this because I saw dogs and sea mammals and I have quantitative evidence it's true.  The dog was Emma, a graying boxer that waited patiently for her family to eat breakfast and letting me pet her while I waited to be seated.  What a good dog.  But then, about an hour later, I was sitting in the Shamu show, listening to Celine Dion singing about being guardians of the environment and watching orcas jumping and splashing and dancing, and, while they were splashing hundreds of gallons of salt water over the audience, I was overcome with joy... pure joy.  Tears and smiles for 20 minutes straight.

It happened again in the dolphin show. Eight dolphins jumping in unison to music joined by pilot whales pushing trainers around by the foot. 

Dogs let you know that they really like you.  They look at you and are happy when you pet them.  They wait for you patiently.  We think they are great because they love us.  Sea mammals act like they really like to jump and dance, and they really like applause.  These guys splash harder when we laugh.  It's amazing to me how much they enjoy our company.  I am grateful to be able to see that.

Out of the hotel today at 8 AM and we walked down the ocean boardwalk.  Tomorrow, I take off my shoes.  We bought cheap sunglasses (to keep our eyes from closing like Gizmo) and visited a farmers market.  Really good mexican chocolate flavored almonds.  We visited a gluten free bakery and asked the lady there for a GF friendly restaurant.   The Mission.  Delicious hipster Mexican food with a yummy gluten free menu.

Off to Sea World.  What a cool place.  For us NorCal folks who are used to Marine World, it's a very different place.  Much more about appreciating the animals, much less about the roller coasters.  Although, we did go on a real mind trip of a coaster there.  Started with a high drop water ride...  Soaked us.  Then, oh yesss, not done yet, the boat was lifted in an elevator that dumped us out on to a regular coaster, which ended in a quick dump into a splash zone. 

 

Clean up and dinner at Barrio Star, more, but different hipster mexican food. Then off to the Old Globe Theater.

Room With A View the Musical.  Brand new show, only the second night performed.  I'm sure it's on it's way to Broadway.  Lovely music, tight book.  Tidy retelling of the novel.  Great voices, strong characterization.  Loved it.

Should be sleeping now.  Another day tomorrow.

Vacation... Could be a cruise or building a campfire.  I know people who take vacation time so they can putter around the house.  My idea of a vacation is adventure, planning for serendipity.  Open to new people and new places.

So, this time, and for the first time in a long time, vacation is an adventure.  Few people to please, flexible and active.  These are the rules:  Hotels are reserved and paid for, Maps are important, Bucket Lists are respected.  Many ideas and few appointments.  Adventures begin promptly at 9 am.  Absolutely no slow starts in the morning.

Today, we started right after I finished work.  My travel buddy is Emily.  When she was still in high school we talked about going on a road trip.  I needed the time off, and fortunately for me (I wish it was different for her) Emily is between jobs and has some available time.

So, off we go.  Josh drove us to the airport by way of Spice Monkey for dinner.  You have to try Spice Monkey.  They have gluten free and vegan food, but also some very gluteny meaty hamburgers, and they know their way around the spices and peppers. Yum.  Em had a fish sandwich, I had the best turkey burger ever (no bun), and Josh had the Sherpa'd Pie.

OK, so off to the plane in plenty of time.  Used the passport for the first time as ID.  We sat next to a very sad, drunk girl who broke out in a crying jag after an additional half bottle of wine (pretty lit when she showed up).  Many sparkly geodes and the Spirit of St Louis in the airport, then off to the car rental place.

What is this car?  It's a Dodge something or other that looks like a Magnum Lite.  I paid for the economy car, and this thing is midsized and squashed like a gangster car.  We parked it in the free parking and The Night Clerk, who we are under strict orders not to shank, warned us not to move the car, ever, or we might not be able to park ever again... oooooooh, scary..... 

The hotel is nice and clean, but probably old and recently remodeled.  We can hear the ocean from our room and see the barflies hanging out in the lounge. 

Time to fall asleep to Letterman, and Sea World in the morning.  It is decided.  Tomorrow night, we do have an appointment at the Old Globe Theater. 

First Day!  We've only just begun.