Sami's First Day

We got an early start to our day today. To make up for going to the aquarium and glass blowing without Sami, we took her to "The Most Outstanding Nature Area". The area was a beach which shores consisted of very smooth, round, volcanic rock. We explored the tidal pools, Sami got to see the amazingly giant Sea Stars and brightly colored Anemones and Urchins. As we were finishing up, thinking we had seen all there was to see, the ranger came over and showed us the Gumbo-Kyton. This creature looks like a giant blob, not a creature at all. 

When we were done at the beach, we returned our rental car and went back to the camp site to pack up and move on to the Sea Lion Caves. On our way down the windy road, we stopped at a couple of different pull-outs to observe the beautiful ocean view. The waves were much bigger than any we have in Maine. 

When we arrived at the Sea Lion Caves, we had to take an elevator down 3000 feet to enter the cave. The elevator had two buttons, Up, and Down. The smell inside the cave was quite overwhelming and disgusting. The sea lions we plentiful and stunning. It was funny to watch the bigger sea lions take their place on top of the rocks as if they were playing a game of "king of the mountain". When we went back up to the surface, we observed the sea lions that were outside the cave struggling to climb from the waves to the rocks. 

After the Sea Lion Caves we drove to the Botanical Gardens, where we were expecting to see some carnivorous plants. Well, they were cool looking, but we didn't get to see them eat anything. Following the family tradition, we decided to make our own family adventure. Justin lead us off the path and on a jungle hike through moss covered trees. Eventually we got to where we couldn't go any further and went back. 

On the way to our next camp site, we stopped and rented sand boards. As most of you know, we are a family of snow riders so we thought, "how different can it be?" Its not snow. Mom was the smart one and decided to have lessons, the rest of us spent the afternoon falling on our butts and, in Elizabeth's case, out faces. Despite the bruises and sand-filled eyes, ears, noses, mouths and pockets, we had a great time. 

When we were done playing we moved on to our next camp site, showered off and settled in for the night.