Pre Tennessee post.

So,
   This is not the post anyone expects. Since I print this blog out every year as a family journal type book I have a few things that I'd like to make note of before I to the HUGE TN post.
    In the weeks leading up to TN we were still in summer mode, out and doing fun/ cheap things. I finished hiking the three saints (San Antonio (Mt Baldy), San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto) of southern california with a trip up Mt. San Jacinto (stats here).

Interstate 10 about 10,000 ft below me. The North face of San Jacinto is one of the steepest/sheerest in the country.

Palm Springs, Joshua tree and beyond.

Summit Marker and shadow selfie.

We went to Zuma beach. It was a throwback to the old days. The kids loved it. Zoey has really become much more adventurous about water this summer and never left the waves while we were there. Aiden played in the sand and dragged huge piles of seaweed onto the shore, a huge improvement from when he wouldn't even put his feet in the sand.

We also went to the Cabrillo aquarium in San Pedro one day. It is a free (suggested donation) state park. It's a bit old and "well used" but the kids loved it. They touched tide pool animals, saw all kinds of marine animals and had a great time.

The week after that was spent with Teresa in San Diego to attend a Teaching conference. The trip had some ups and downs but it was good for her to hang out with her friends and co workers outside of work.

The day after she got home from San Diego we set out for TN which will be in the next post.

Till then,
RTSZA