10 Days of Vacation - Part 2

 Our road trip began Sunday morning. Hodge did absolutely amazing on the road. He watched movies, colored, played with his toys and was always on the lookout for trains. We saw many trains on the trip and each time Hodge would tell us to put his window down so he could get a good view and hear the train. Hodge is also a really big Cars fans. He loves the movie and Mater's tall tales. When we drove through Van Horn, Texas it reminded me of Radiator Springs in the movie Cars. I kept telling Hodge that this town looked like the town Mater lives in. The drive through far West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona was not a bad drive. I don't mind being in the car that long and I enjoyed this time with Matt and Hodge. We had lunch in Las Cruces, NM and ended up staying Sunday night in Tuscan, AZ. We got up the next morning and headed to sunny California.

This photos was taken of Hodge in the middle of nowhere in Arizona.  He was ready to get back in the suburban.

Memaw and Hodge found a mouse car in Yuma,   AZ

Monday, April 25 was our first day in San Diego, CA. We arrived around 3:30 p.m. We got to the house that we rented for the week in Pacific Beach. We got the suburban unpacked and went right down to the beach. There was a little park down from our house that overlooked the beach. The first thing we saw was a pot belly pig at the park. Only in California would you see a pig at the beach. Everyone had dogs at the park but this guy had a pig.

The pig came right up to us and wanted us to feed him. 

Our first time on the beach in PB.

Day Two in California.

The second day Hodge, Matt and my mom headed to the beach while I  got a mani an pedi  and went with my sister to her dress fitting.

The cute beach house we rented in PB. We had the downstairs and my mom and dad rented the upstairs.

The back patio and entrance to the upstairs house.

Hodge loved riding his little bike from the front patio to the back patio. The walkway  on the side of the house was his little road.

This was the back patio and behind me is a garage. This was a big deal to have a two car garage in PB. Parking in PB is crazy. Surfers parked outside our house all day everyday.

Our walk to the beach.

Tuesday evening we took a walk down to Crystal Pier.  It was chilly but the surfers were still out surfing like crazy.

Hodge fell asleep on the walk back.

After we got back he woke up and played with Play Doh on the front porch.

Day 3 - We took a train ride up to Encinitas. Hodge loved the train ride. We had lunch in Encinitas and Hodge played at a park on the beach.

Getting on the Train (Coaster) in Old Town San Diego

On the train looking at the Pacific Beach

Hodge loved riding the train

Getting off the train in Encinitas, CA.

Having lunch outside at the Champagne French Bakery Cafe in Encinitas, CA.

Great food and wonderful desserts! Yummy!

At the park in Solana Beach

Then we decided not to wait on the train and take the bus back to PB, what were we thinking?

Hodge loved the bus, he thought it was a school bus. The adults did not like it. Hodge appreciates public transportation.

Day 4 in Sunny California

We spent time on the beach on day four.

Hodge making a sand angel.

Day 5 - First thing Friday morning we went to Fanuel Park and let Hodge play a little before we started our day. We went back home and got dressed for the day. Hodge, Matt and I headed up to La Jolla, which was only 15 minutes from our house. We went to the Birch Aquarium, had a wonderful lunch on the beach, then we went to Torrey Pines Golf course to get some caps and shirts.

At Fanuel Park with Aunt Stacy.

Hodge and I at the Birch Aquarium

Hodge taking in the beautiful aquarium

Outside the aquarium

Hodge liked the old submarine

Having lunch at The Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel. Great food and a wonderful view!

Hodge and Matt checking out Torrey Pines Golf Course

Torrey Pines

That afternoon we met up with Memaw and Pawpaw at  Kate O. Sessions Park. This park is a few minutes from my sister's house. The park has an amazing view of San Diego.

Friday evening we enjoyed watching the sunset.

Matt and Hodge watching the surfers after sunset.

In front of our house was a big "Bird of Paradise" plant. Hodge was squawking at the flowers. I told him the flowers looked like birds and I squawked like a bird so he did this every time we passed by it after that. 

Day 6 - The day of Stacy and Dan's beach wedding.

Hodge and I went to the beach that morning before we had to get ready.

Hodge loved playing in the sand!