Week of June 10 - The Road Trip, Part Two

As I mentioned in my previous post, we stayed overnight at the Hilton in Gilroy. This allowed us all to relax for the rest of the day (well except for Nancy insisting we hit the Gilroy discount super mall down the freeway a couple miles), and then start fresh the next morning for our drive to Monterey Bay.

Of course as we are packing to check-out, Emily has this sudden urge to get on the telephone and chat up the staff at the hotel desk! Chatting is what Emily does best, so I don't know why I am surprised by this. (note: photo slightly out of focus, but way too good not to share.) Kids!! :P


After we checked out, we took a short drive down the freeway to the nearest Denny's for Breakfast. We love to eat at Denny's. This next photo shows Emily reviewing the children's menu while Nancy and I are deciding what we would like for breakfast.


Next stop, Monterey Bay and the famous aquarium there. For those of you who have never visited, check it out on-line http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/kelp.asp

We started our day at the aquarium by checking out all the fish in the giant multi-story kelp forest tank. Emily loved watching the fish.


Now on to the children's tidal tanks where Emily got to see actual tidal creatures up close and personal. That was a bit hit as well.




Onward now to to the little tidal tank where the kids can use a little fishing pole to move a small fish around in the pool.


And then.....and then...Emily and Mommy go exploring in the children's aquarium caves where there are glass tanks with different fish in them, all at children's eye level. Got to watch your head as you duck into the caves as it is a low ceiling (as Daddy found out when trolling for photos in there....ouchie!).



Time for a little detour to the play zone near the tidal exhibits. Emily takes time out to ride a giant horse fish, or fish horse, or whatever.


Oh yeah, and lest we forget that ever popular pass time of Emily's....stopping to chat it up with one of the little boys on the way to the slide.


Over in the other wing of the aquarium, after visiting the deep dark tanks of giant deep water fish, and jelly fish and other fun stuff, We once again enter kids land where Emily gets to play with foam flippers, and fins, and other fish parts.


And as we end our journey of the aquarium, Emily take time to stop by the local crayon coloring stations to create some artwork, then it is time to go see the sea otter exhibit (Daddy's favorite).



After we left he aquarium, I took Emily down to the beach so that she could see the ocean for the very first time. It's still the chilly time of year in Monterey Bay, so jackets were required, and we skipped getting feet wet this time around. Maybe again later in the summer when the water is still below 50 degrees but it is warm and sunny out.







And last, but not least, we took a short drive over to Old Fisherman's Wharf. As we were leaving the wharf, Nancy took a photo of Emily and I sitting on a rock with the marina background behind us. She asked Emily how she liked all the fishies today. With the wind blowing our hair and the sun peaking out from behind the clouds, Emily promptly gave Mommy a very enthusiastic "good!" and included a right handed and enthusiastic thumbs up for good measure (which is what she does when she wants to really emphasize "good!"


And that wraps up our road trip to Gilroy Gardens and Monterey Bay. All in all, a fun and successful two day journey for Emily, and Nancy, and myself.