So Cal Part Deux: Sea World and Laguna Beach

After the nirvana of Legoland, we braced for letdown at Sea World the next day. We need not have worried. I know that among certain sectors these places are controversial. I can respect that, though I would note that none of the people in those sectors have really lived in the kill or be killed wild. A nice cozy abode with plentiful fish may well be the preferred alternative of most sea life. Even if it were not, as the images below show so plainly, the cause of preserving wild things in wild places has no greater friend than this land of captives. (Sometimes, life is paradox.)

My children were enthralled. Light shown on their faces, wonder and glee from every pore. Scientists use the cold, hard, over-involved term "anthorpomorphization" to characterize this reaction; I prefer the warm and simple "empathy." And in my book, there is nothing wrong with that.

All that said, we had a blast. Thank you Sea World, keep up the good work.

Kate could not have been more in her element.

Hard to decide who has the bigger smile -- the dolphin thinking about fish or Keegan watching him think about fish.

Check out that tongue!

Love those cheesy poser grins. Shamu did not disappoint, though. Check out the photos, and then the reactions of my kids at watching her.

Next up, the Ray pond. Alden was fit to be tied when we got there. Check out the transformation.

Easily the most beautiful smile on the planet, right below.

Handsome little guy there, no? He got all confident from the fact that he touched the Rays without any obvious consequence.

Turtle Dude knows how to spend a warm afternoon. We could all take a few lessons on that.

Kate and Colieus. Isn't she great!?

Lucky for us, Sea World had its own water park, and that is where we ended the day. Needless to say, any place with a water park is "the best!"

At least until you get cold, anyway. Look at that poor shivering little guy.

Alden in his element. Has loved playing in water since his first bath.

After spending the following day lounging at the beach, we hit the tide pools in Laguna. Kids had a blast with the Hermit Crabs. Crabs, not so much (see kill or be killed, above . . . )

Reluctantly, we finally had to leave to catch a plane. Thanks again to our good friends Paul, Marilyn and family (below), who let us crash Le Hotel Jagerhaus. We had a great time!