It took me long enough but I finally — finally dug into the archives to look at the photos from our trip to California last year. In summary…
The Chaos Begins.
California, the land of sun, sand, and sins. Last year, we embarked on a journey to the West Coast — a wild ride with the three boys in tow, aged 6, 4, and 2 – unhinged angels each a walking disaster waiting to happen. Our odyssey began with a six-hour flight from Boston to San Diego, a trial by air that would stretch the limits of our endurance and set the tone for what was to come.
The confines of the aircraft became a battleground, a claustrophobic arena where the restless waged a war of attrition against Jess and my patience and sanity. As the hours ticked by and the plane soared through the skies, we found ourselves grappling with the impossible task of keeping our tiny tempests entertained, contained, and, above all, quiet.
A challenge of our resourcefulness and resolve that left us battle-scarred but unbowed.
We touched down in San Diego, our nerves frayed and our bodies weary, we knew that our adventure had only just begun.
The next day, we ventured into the labyrinthine jungle of the San Diego Zoo, where we confronted the beasts of nature. Giraffes, their necks like cranes, peered down at us as if to say, “What are you doing here, you odd creatures?” The mischievous baboons and regal lions, observing us as we observed them, perhaps pondering the true meaning of captivity.
Our descent in madness continued and was swift and sudden, as if some cosmic force had flung us into the midst of family madness. Bill’s birthday party; a swirling vortex of relatives, clinking glasses, and bizarre conversations. The food, a decadent feast of Mexican gluttony —
Rice, Beans, Cheese.
The young ones ran wild, leaving wreckage in their wake.
Shelter Island, a brief respite from the chaos, the marina shimmering like liquid gold under the setting sun. The children, always curious and unpredictable, attempted to decipher the secrets of the boats, their laughter echoing against the hulls of the vessels. We strolled along the marina, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling harbor, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky erupted into a kaleidoscope of colors.
Del Mar – Love, Lunacy, and Lingering Memories
Del Mar, the stage for matrimonial anarchy. Love and lunacy filled the air, a potent cocktail that intoxicated our senses. We danced and we celebrated the union of two as the tiny named hurricanes spun around us. The ceremony, a beautiful testament to the power of love, unfolded against a backdrop of subdued waves and a sky painted with the hues of a setting sun.
The reception was an explosion of joy, a raucous celebration that stretched long into the night although the kids, despite being fueled by the energy of the occasion and an open bar of Shirley Temples, began to crash to Earth.
The following day, we walked along the long beach, the sand beneath our toes,
But what’s a California trip without a little magic? Yes, Disneyland — the ultimate test of sanity, the mecca of madness and the cherry on top of our family adventure. A place where dreams come true; a whirlwind of dreams, fantasies, and endless lines. Age becomes just a number you mind forgets but your knees and feet do not. From the thrilling rides to the smiles on our faces, it was a day that will live on in our hearts forever.
