dolphin friends

To celebrate Nana's birthday this year, we went on a snorkel trip on the west side. We woke up super early, I popped a Dramamine, we all bundled up to stay warm for the windy ride, and we boarded our zodiac with wetsuits, goggles, etc.  

Our first stop was in a small bay where there happened to be a pod of dolphins!  So, our captain let us all slowly and calmly get into the water to see if the dolphins would be interested in us and sure enough, they came right over.  In fact, they left and then came back to check us out 4 times!  We snorkeled around for a bit there and then went to another location where all three of us saw a small reef shark!

Our captain then decided to take us out a bit away from land since we had a boat and we had time and after about 15 minutes, and a short nap for Gordy, we found a new pod of dolphins.  We motored slowly around to see if the dolphins would find us interesting and boy did they!  They were swimming around us on all sides, playing in our boat's wake, and showing off with aerials.  After awhile, they decided that they were finished and they swam away.  We realized that we were in 3,000 ft deep water, so a bunch of us all got in just see what swimming in that deep of water looked / felt like.  It was incredible!  The water was so clear and blue that it looked like it was glowing.  It was also very humbling to be such a small human is such a big place.  

After a few minutes of enjoying the emptiness, we heard squeaking noises that could only have been dolphins.  We popped our heads up and the captain was pointing out a ways saying that the dolphins were on their back and were heading straight towards us.  The next few minutes were some of the coolest that Gordy, Nana, and I have ever experienced - the dolphins came and danced/played around us for minutes.  We all watched and listened to their incredible performance, and then... they said goodbye.  

This was by far the coolest ocean animal experience I've ever had and Gordy talked about it for days afterwards.

worth the risk

It's been 2+ years since we've seen Tutu and Pop Pop in-person.  We've made and then cancelled two different trips due to covid and about a month ago, we finally decided that now was as good a time as any to risk it.  So far (we are not yet out of the window for symptoms to arise), it was worth the risk!  

We spent four full days in and around Piedmont, CA with the Sells and Feldman families and, while we are happy to be home, we all had a wonderful time.

Gordy and Pop Pop shook the lemon tree (multiple times per day due to Gordy's prompting) and they made many batches of lemonade for everyone to enjoy.

Gordy got to go to Tutu's marking room (a second hand shop) where he picked out one fun thing to take home - a science kit.

Amanda and I took Gordy and Tyler to Fairyland where the two of them bonded quickly and then giggled themselves silly in the pizza place while we waited for lunch.

We went swimming with his cousins at the pool where Gordy was able to jump off the diving board for the first time in 2+ years.  According to Gordy, this was his favorite part of the trip :)

We (and the kids) enjoyed the hot tub.

We spent breakfasts at Tutu and Pop Pop's breakfast nook consuming yummy coffee and Tutu's famous apricot jam on any and every starchy vessel available.

We went on a cool 4.5 mile hike/walk almost to the bay bridge.

All three of use enjoyed having a puppy around.

We took the kids on a real steam train in the mountains.

And, most importantly, we enjoyed some much needed family time with so many loved ones who we haven't been able to see for way too long.

We were all sad to leave, but we will not wait so long next time before a return visit.  Fingers crossed that Gordy is able to be vaccinated sooner rather than later, and three of us will feel much more comfortable about venturing out again.

Till next time Sells and Feldmans - thank you for making our trip as wonderful as it was!