Day 6: San Diego

We started off our Sunday by attending Sacrament Meeting at the Chula Vista 1st ward. We didn't know anyone there, it was just the closest ward to our hotel. We had a few people came up and excitedly ask us if we were new. It was a small ward and I'm sure they would love another family.
After church, we changed and drove a few minutes to the Midway, a retired USS battleship. Gavin was really excited about seeing this. We checked out our headphones (Enoch loved those) and started our tour.

I really can't believe people live on these ships (ships, I know, I kept calling it a boat and Greg and Gavin would correct me). They have really made good use of their space! This kids got a kick out of the beds, we threw all of them in the brig, got our flight instructions and learned how to power the ship. Enoch and Kate were in absolute heaven. Do you see all those knobs, levers, buttons, wheels? We could hardly drag them away from this control panel.




After touring the bottom of the ship, we spent some time on the flight deck. The kids loved this. Grandpa, Grandma and Gavin listen to a presentation about naval pilots and Greg, me, Enoch and Kate just wandered. We looked at the airplane and helicopter displays and the ocean.

Enoch was memorized by the naval security boat that would drive around the Midway. He kept yelling to anyone who would listen, "Look at that tiny boat with the big guns!" Compared to the Midway the boat was tiny, but (you can't see it very well in the picture) the guns were very big.

Enoch and Kate loved just running around on the flight deck. It is huge and we were able to just let them play. Enoch, of course, can't just walk in a straight line - he has to flail and literally run in circles. Silly kid.



Kate was a bit unimpressed with the tour until she found the only pink item on the entire ship.

After the flight deck we went inside to look at some of the airplanes on display. They have a few cockpits that you can sit in. Gavin looks super cool doesn't he? He just needs some aviator sunglasses and he'll be ready to go. Enoch could not get enough of that cockpit. We literally had to drag him out so other people could have a turn. He face was completely lit up. He yelled as he was jumping up and down, "Mom, Mom, Mom, I know what I want for Christmas!" Everyone around us starting laughing.



The Midway was fascinating (especially for the boys) and I'm so glad we added this to our trip.

After we loaded up on snacks, we drove a short distance to Old Town San Diego. We lucked out and found a parking spot across the street from the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center. We went to this museum last time we were in San Diego (about nine years ago). It was a nice museum, but really just a museum. I was a bit worried about how the kids would do given they were tired. But, Grandpa and Grandma assured us they would enjoy it.

Wow! It is incredible. The kids love it. If you are in San Diego, you must put this on your list of things to do. I don't think Enoch stopped smiling the whole time we were there. Of course, it didn't hurt that he latched onto our tour guides, two cute sister missionaries, and didn't let go of their hands until the end.
My parents described it as Harry Potter meets the Wild West. The people in the picture frames talk to you and as you walk from room to room, you hear their story. They have authentic scenes, movies, real campfire smells, your seats shake as the stampede comes. It really is great. They dressed up the boys in uniforms (Enoch was quite put out that only Gavin got a bayonet).

We were able to have out pictures taken with an "old fashioned" camera. Enoch kept saying, "How does that work. Let me see". It just looked old with a digital camera inside.


(Sorry, I need to figure out how to scan these pictures better.)
After the tour, we were able to pan for gold. The kids really enjoyed this. Kate was a bit hesitant, until Sister Tanner helped her.


Enoch had to try everything out - he found some gold, washed some clothes and fetched water from the well.



We had a wonderful time. The Visitor Center was all so interactive. It just made us happy.
We ended the day with Little Caesar's pizza back at the hotel. We couldn't believe our trip was almost over, but our fun reserves were running a bit low.