We’re back in our old stompin’ grounds this week with our kids and our bonus kids (Anna’s boyfriend, Andrew, and Max’s college roommate, Cameron). Ken and I lived here in the mid 90s while Ken was getting his master’s degree. Have always loved this place. Anxious to show it to the crew.

Infuriating experience at the SF airport, trying to pick up our rental car. Waited in line for over 2 hours while exactly ONE agent tried to sort through 45 people. I am not good at waiting in line. Also, I was tired AND hungry. Do that math. Kids very concerned that I was going to cause some kind of embarassing scene, but I kept my shit together. Mostly.

First stop after getting out of car rental hell: In N Out. The kids LOVE this place. I like it, but – unpopular opinion – Five Guys is better.

Took an early morning walk on the beach path near our house since (courtesy of jet lag) we were all up ridiculously early. Max found “sea glass”. Had breakfast with a family of deer that are, apparently, an amenity included with our rental house.

Next: took the kids to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Along with 7 billion other people. Was an absolute mob scene inside. Turns out, people really like to look at fish. Didn’t see much other than the backs of other people’s heads. Did see some pretty orange jellyfish. Tried to see the sharks, but couldn’t get close. Got run over by a poorly driven stroller. Then: realized I was stuck in a hot, dark-ish room with hundreds of strangers. Some of whom could *really* use some Old Spice in their lives. And . . . I’m out.

Was fun to watch the big kids being kid kids at the touch pool, though. Finagled a spot at the “bar” and everyone got to touch a sting ray. And that about wraps up our day at the aquarium.

Cheers!