Both kids had a day off from school today so we took them snorkeling (picture thread)

[puerco-bellies]

They had never been to La Jolla so we lied about the sharks (They both are the biggest chickens) and pretty much bribed them to paddle out.

Troy and Ali crossing La Jolla Bay to the caves.



New (to us) kind of fish. This guy was about a 18" long and was clinging to the SIDE of the cliff wall. I think those are hooks on the rear part of his pectoral fin.



A shoal of baby Garibaldi passed by and I stayed still and hung out with them for a moment. The picture does not show how beautiful they are, purple on top and deep magenta on bottom.



This sealion..




Swam under Blaise





And we just barely avoided a mid-water meltdown. Thankfully Troy did not see the sealion swim under us, we managed to keep Blaise from freaking out, but if both started panicking, game over.

Me and Blaise entering La Jolla Cave. This is the first time the kids went sea caving with us



Ali and Troy catch up inside the cave and snapped a picture of me and Blaise.



After a couple of laps passing through the cave and into the cove we anchored so Ali and I could snorkel through the cave.



We swam through the narrower of the two entrances. There was very little room at the surface so we went deep to cross into open sea.





We had to lie to the kids and tell them the sharks were in a area away from the launch zone. After landing and a BBQ they got up the nerve to wade with these cute little guys.



The shore was teaming with small stingrays. I even stepped on one trying to take a picture of a leopard shark. I stepped on it's "wing" and did not get stung.



Thanks for looking.

[mcctatas]

1. Amazing!

thanks for sharing:)

[puerco-bellies]

5. That place is great.

We even brought the surfboards, but it was totally flat. If your ever in the San Diego area (2 hours south of us) check out La Jolla Shores.

[Jamastiene]

2. I'm officially up for adoption now.

In case you want another (big) kid to adopt, you can adopt me. :D I wish you were my parent. I'd love to go do something like that. :D

[puerco-bellies]

7. If your ever in L.A. pm us, we will use any excuse to surf or snorkel

We have the hardest time getting the kids away from the computer and X-Box. They act like we are torturing them by making go outside. Both mine and Ali's parents could not get us to come in the house. We can't get the kids to go outside.. WTF!?!

[tigereye]

18. sad isn't it? there was a great interview on the NPR station today

about how good being outside is for kids - physically, educationally and attention-wise.


You would think that once kids experience what you guys did, they would never want to sit around....

[XemaSab]

3. Cool!

I've only ever been snorkeling in Florida.

Isn't the water in California COLD? :scared:

[Jamastiene]

4. I thought the water in the Atlantic was cold and Pacific was warm?

Either way, those pictures do look way cool, don't they?

[XemaSab]

6. No way!

I've lived in California my whole life, and I've never been swimming in the ocean here.

Swimming in 50 degree water is too cold for me! It's also really rough here.

80 degrees with 2 foot waves, on the other hand, is pretty sweet! :D

[puerco-bellies]

8. It is noticebly colder in La Jolla now. The water temp today was about 65

Last month the water there was a very warm 74. Our local beach water temp is about the same. In a few weeks we will need wetsuites to surf. Southern California waters average around 68 in the summer, and the mid to low 50's in the winter.. brrrrrrrr!!!

[cwydro]

9. How cool!

I can snorkel every day here in the Keys, but I will never see a sea lion.

I have seen sharks and they are scary; probably best you lied about that, lol.

Great pics! The water is much warmer here!

[NJmaverick]

10. That was so cool. You guys were lucky to have been able

to take that trip.

[puerco-bellies]

19. Thankfully it is only a 2 hour, just under a tank of gas drive in our VW Van

Even with both kayaks on the roof-rack. There is a free parking area, and we packed our lunch and refreshments. The only costs was a stop at Krispy-Kream to make good on a bribe to the kids (Negotiated down from a stop at Inn-Out Burgers).

[commander bunnypants]

11. I fell off the cliffs over looking Blacks Beach

I loved La Jolla when I lived out there

CB

[puerco-bellies]

20. OMG.. how did you manage not getting killed.

I was looking for a cliff diving spot, but chickened out.

[commander bunnypants]

22. No one knows

I am not paralyzed. But my left leg was given to me by the bionic man. Lots o titanium

I dont like cliffs no more

CB

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. awesome pics. thanks for sharing them. n/t

[puerco-bellies]

21. Your welcome T A

I like posting them, it feeds my inner attention whore.

[demmiblue]

13. I live vicariously through your picture posts!

:P

Thanks for posting!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. awesome

[Tektonik]

15. I love the beaches here

I've never gone snorkeling or caving though :(.

The Children's Pool is sweet to see sea lions.

[commander bunnypants]

16. and far in the background

are the cliffs of blacks beach

:scared:


CB

[tigereye]

17. what a great way for kids (and adults) to explore the ocean/bay

great idea! We only live near a lake, but my son really enjoyed kayaking when we went with my brother. I think kids desperately need the outdoors.


It's always a pleasure to see these kinds of threads..