I SOO needed this Day 2!!

The next morning we woke up bright and early for our kayak adventure through the 7 caves. We were not really sure what to expect, but we were anxious for the adventure. Parking was fun with Dave's big truck. It was like parking in LA, where you are meant to have a VW bug or something small...NOT a giant truck. There was NO way I would have been able to park...I'm not good with spatial distances and this includes parallel parking.

We got to the Bike and Kayak shop where we were going to take the tour. They made us wear helmets because we were going into the caves. They thought Dave and I were funny...probably because we talked about how unlucky I am in general and how lucky he is in general. He even told the people that he used to have great luck, and then he met me. They thought that was funny. I don't think they believe us, but it's true. Less than 5 minutes later, Dave was animatedly talking to one of the guides (we had two), and clocked me pretty hard in the head with the paddle (ouch! That was BEFORE I put on the helmet).

Dave ready to go
And here I am...

We had to get a brief lesson on how to use a kayak and the paddles (protocol) before we launched off the beach. That was interesting. Dave and I were the ONLY people (other than the guides) who were in single Kayaks. Everyone else was in tandems. I have to admit when I saw the waves I was a little nervous. Also this is where everyone comes and swims, and NO ONE WATCHES OUT FOR THE KAYAKS. On the way back in, I nearly took out a little girl. I couldn't help it...a wave hit me sideways and off I was going. The mom was laughing...don't think I would have been. I was yelling..."I'm sorry, I'm sorry". The mom just wanted to know if I had fun. I think it was pretty comical, as some of the guides on shore started laughing. Not to be outdone, Dave had to make his own entrance...of course I told him he was a dork and the guides agreed.

The guy to the right is Pete...he is one of our guides

Dave and I...no one told me my helmet was crooked.

The kayak adventure was SOO worth it. It was amazing. We were only allowed to go in two of the caves, but that is because a kayak could not fit in the other ones (plus the lifeguards would fine you if you did). I didn't expect to see so much ocean life RIGHT next to us. There were 6-foot leopard sharks all around us. You could jump off the kayaks and swim with any of them too. We were chilling out in the ocean and all of a sudden to our left about 5 dolphins were breaching. The guides said that there were probably like 10 or so. Then there was this crazy Sea Lion, but he jumped in the water when we got too close. Dave wanted to touch him. I would have had the PERFECT picture, but Pete (the guide) put his oar in my picture right when I was going to snap it.

Once the Sea Lion got in the water...darn Pete :(
Here is A sea Lion, not sure if it is the same one...he returned, so Dave snapped this picture for me

Now I didn't get LOADS of pictures because I was holding the camera (believe it or not I was more stable, Dave nearly ate it on his way into the ocean). I brought a zip lock bag to hold it in, but of course I ripped a hole in the bag in my haste to take out the camera. From then on, I was paranoid. Remember the hiking incident?

One of the caves...these rocks are sandstone...there are houses built up there too...they said if San Diego got LOADS of rain, down the houses would go. Hmm...doesn't sound like a smart investment to me, especially as the average price for the hillside property was $15-25 million.

Dave chillin' in the kayak
Me in the kayak - helmet still on crooked
The birds with Dave
The birds take off

The caves were really cool, and there were birds everywhere. They would take off in flight, and you would want to look up because it was so pretty to watch. We were cautioned NOT to look up as the birds would let little bombs of their own drop down if you know what I mean. :P

Inside one of the caves
The view from inside the cave
Me in the cave, the guy in the water is Adam (the other guide) He was perched inside the cave and was supposed to assist us in turning around
He took our picture from the water...
Me paddling out of the cave
Me Still paddling...
Dave decided to go for a swim...of course getting out was much easier than getting back in. :) Good thing I had the camera *hehe*

After we went Kayaking, we decided to go to the Cave Store. Basically, it is a store that has a tunnel carved out of it by picks and chisels in the early 1900s. People now pay $4 to go down and look at it. There are 145 steps down into the sandstone and rock. There is an interesting view once inside. Apparently it is called "Sunny Jim Cave" as it resembles a character that from the early 1900s that Britain used in wheat advertisements or something.

The sign as you descend into the Cave Store
Dave walking down
Me standing
A large view of the Sunny Jim Profile - we were those kayakers earlier in the day
Dave inside the mouth of the cave
Me
Dave being silly and pretending to hold up the sandstone
me holding it up my own way :P
A broader view of the profile

After visiting the caves, we puttered around the museums and stores. This area is known for being very artistic, so we took in the sights until we were tired. We then decided to go in the spa back at the hotel, then take another nap (yep, you know it) and then go out to dinner at Jake's again. After dinner we walked on the beach. It was beautiful. The sand was so soft and was a dark grey and black. Instead of sea shells there were they really smooth stones and pebbles. The views were breathtaking, and the rocks were really smooth (it's sandstone). It was very relaxing. Again just what I needed :)

I thought this view was peaceful
With the guy surfing
Dave walking around, looking for sea life...
Smooth pebbles
they were everywhere
Dave and I with my new sunglasses
beautiful sunset
Dave and I
People walking around on the beach
And just a beautiful sunset to end the posting :) Don't you just want to be here...I DO! :)