Spring Break Getaway with my number one boy (Linus)

Linus and I don't get to spend a lot of time one on one together.  He doesn't hate me, but given the opportunity, he will choose Dave 99.99999% of the time.  Spring Break offered a really great opportunity for Linus and I to bond.  When I go visit friends, I try to bring one kid with me to lighten the load at home.  Linus won based on the following criteria: no carseat, no dietary restrictions, and potty trained.

Linus and I went to visit my childhood friend, Katie, in Fresno.  Traveling with Linus had some nice perks.
1. He can carry his own luggage (he even packed himself when given a general list)
2. Not only can he take himself to the restroom, he doesn't insist on being in a stall with me!
3. He can self-entertain.  I was mean and didn't bring an ipad or let him play on my phone.  We simply sat in our seats and read our books or napped.
4. Linus fed himself breakfast in the morning and bathed himself.

I must say, at times, traveling with an older child does feel like a break. Almost.

I surprised Linus with first class tickets.  We normally fly coach but the offer of a $50 upgrade was too good to refuse.  He didn't find out until we were boarding.  I even let him bring a neck pillow.  We flew in luxury I tell you (or as luxurious as a Horizon Air flight gets).

I've known Katie since first grade.  She now lives in Fresno and works with Sea Lions at the zoo.  The last time I visited, Robin was a baby.  I really need to be better about visiting friends.

Linus was excited for our trip.  Eileen and Robin were excited for special fun times with Dave.  According to Dave, while I was gone the two kids played together magically.  They went to Point Defiance Zoo, the movies, and had a sleepover.

With only two full days in Fresno, Linus and I had to prioritize. On Friday we went to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo where Katie works.  We had an amazing day.  The weather was gorgeous!  The zoo recently did an expansion.  I was blown away.

Katie did a really wonderful job of making sure Linus had a special experience.  She called in a few favors.    The whole zoo was great, but there were some definite highlights.  The two things Linus wanted to see most were the Sea Lions and to hold a snake.  Dustin, a keeper in the reptile house, granted Linus' wish and more.

First we went into a small room where they keep a couple of snakes.  I kept a careful, watchful distance.  Linus had no reservations.

Thanks to my many trips to the Woodland Park Zoo, I am well versed in the creatures of the Reptile House.  I was able to quickly identify the Waxy Monkey frog.

Linus meets the Waxy Monkey Frog

Me, trying to convince Katie and Dustin, that they should be impressed by my vast knowledge.

Telling us he was taking Linus to meet a cobra, Dustin led us into an exhibit that was an even greater surprise----KOMODO DRAGON!

I appreciated the hugeness of this opportunity, mustered up some bravery, and touched the komodo dragon myself.

After the komodo dragon, we got to meet a tortoise who was 35 years young.

Quick rest

At Sea Lion Cove Linus got painting lessons from Wish, the Sea Lion.

Linus' bright green shirt made him easy to find in a crowd.  We spent the most time at the Manta Rays.  Linus was enthralled.  He even got to pet a nurse shark.

Linus didn't realize just how friendly he got with the giraffe he was feeding.

Sizing himself up

Linus and I went into one exhibit and were surprised to find two sloths relaxing over the walkway. One was more or less blocking the walkway.  The keeper gave me permission to take a selfie.

Saturday was Earth Day.  It was hard to decide between going to the March for Science or visiting the Sequoia National Park.  I feel good about the choice.  It was an amazing experience.  The Sequoia National Park is home to General Sherman, the largest tree in the world (by volume).  I'd never really seen a sequoia up close.  Their bases are incredibly bulbous.  Their trunks almost look painted.

Linus vacillated between joy (snow!) and annoyance (stay on the trail).

Some of the backgrounds don't even look the real!  The colors were just so different.  It was also another gorgeous day and luckily not too crowded, especially once you got away from the main attraction.

Linus found a walking stick that he liked to use for beating the snow.  He got stuck in the snow a few times on the Congressional Trail.

We went on the Congressional Trail to see a few more impressive trees.  The trees all had so much personality.  Chief Sequoia had an especially imposing stance.  Besides the trees and the serene beauty, highlights on the Congressional Trail included walking through a waterfall and for Linus, walking down a trail taken over by the creek.  Linus' shoes are now in a plastic bag waiting to be washed as they got pretty gross on this hike.

Safely through the waterfall.  See what I mean about the backgrounds looking fake?

Linus took off his sunglasses at one point and then couldn't find them.  It took a bit before he realized Katie had made use of them.

We had a great trip.  Even when he was grumpy and frustrated, Linus couldn't hide his joy from his dad during our evening video chats.   Thanks for a fun weekend Katie and Chris!