We were up pretty early and went to breakfast at Margies, since Roni and R.J. had recommended it. (They were also planning to go, but we figured we'd be there and gone by the time they arrived.) I settled for a "beginner omelet, which is just as well. Then we went back to the motel, looked at the ocean a little, then checked out and went down to the aquarium area.

We got the first stage of the "Stupid" cache then felt stupid to realize there was a cache on the parking garage. We found that, then went to the aquarium... there's a micro cache at the bus stop just outside it. Into the aquarium we went, and gave it a quick go-through. I was especially taken with the aviary. Snowy plover up close and personal! The shark exhibit was really crowded and my claustrophobia kicked in.

Then we went back to the entrance at about 10:45 to wait. One of us would zoom through just in case we missed them, while the other waited. I was the waiter when they finally came, about 11:30, and we all got together.

Alex was wonderful till she wasn't. She was really interested in all the things to push and the fish and all, and especially in other children. There's a play area she spent a lot of time in, and she had fun trying to touch a ray. Later, she did touch a little one and was startled when it moved. We kept her moving along, and then when she got to the shark area and the kid's room she wanted to make a hat.

They had scissors! Alex couldn't be bothered with coloring her hat, with the taping, she was fixated on the scissors! Finally Roni thought to hand her a piece of scrap paper to cut. Rich helped her adjust her fingers, and for the next 15 minutes or so, Alex cut. There's no attention deficit with THIS child! It's apparent that she needs scissors and craft paper at home! (So long as it's supervised. I cut off one braid one time!) Finally, Roni told her we were moving on after she counted to 5.

Alex was heartbroken! She wanted to cut! She wailed. She got a little distracted by the jellyfish, but was close to tears till we got to the Splash Zone. She was happy playing with fish and getting her dad and me to play, and finally R.J. was too antsy and we had to move on. More tears, though the penguins helped. I think R.J. doesn't like the crying for two reasons... he's not used to it from his youth, but mostly because he hates to have his darling unhappy. She was just tired, and she'd had a good time, and always leave them wanting more. It was 2:30 or so, time to leave anyway. We had seen a number of sea otters, too! (Out in the Bay, I mean.)

We said goodbye to them, and we went to the second stage of the Stupid cache and then to lunch. Then we finished up the cache, so named because it ends up at Bubba Gump's. On the way, we found a plaque that is entitled "Grand Procrastination" by E Clampus Vitus. It was sculpted in 1938 and dedicated that year, but not put up until 7/13/85.

We stopped in Marina on the way back. We couldn't figure out how to get to one cache, but found the "Johnny Cache" one back near old Ft. Ord. I got another TB! Then we needed to go to "Markasaurus", of course, and then it was really time to get home. We were home just after 8, and the dog was thrilled to see us! He'd been good this time. (We think he's probably too old to be leaping the fence now. But we're never sure.)

What a nice few days! Alex is definitely fun to be around! I hope they want to do something like this again, that we weren't too obtrusive on their vacation. I really enjoyed it.