MISSION BEACH

Not too far from Sea World, Belmont Park is a seaside amusement destination, complete with rides, carnival games, shopping, and a wooden roller coaster built in 1925. This complex adjacent to the beach, is very similar to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on the Central CA Coast.

It was another perfect weather day, with a few scattered clouds, and the temps in the low 70's. By the time we made the 30 minute drive into San Diego, it was getting close to noon, and we spent several hours at Belmont Park. Armed with all access wristbands, Laila and Grandpa rode a bunch of rides together, then Laila set her sights on the vertical lift ride. She must have gone through the short line by herself a half dozen times.

Belmont Park at Mission Beach is a seaside amusement park.

When we took a break from the rides, Laila focused on her favorite arcade game of skee ball. Between hers and Grandpas ticket count ($10 worth of tokens, and 158 tickets), Laila picked out prizes that must have been worth at least 27 cents. The important thing was that we both had fun, and she got a couple of balls into the hardest cup, something that I couldn't do.

The Crazy Submarine was kind of like a ferris wheel.

Once was enough on the boat ride. Not quite the thrill level of some of the other rides.

The Vertical Plunge was Laila's favorite.

When we discovered the Vertical Plunge ride, Laila couldn't get enough of the tummy tickler. I rode it once with her, then she kept going back through the line. I think we heard "just one more time" probably about 5 times. This ride was actually pretty timid, but it did drop you a few feet, enough to put a butterfly in your stomach.

"OK, I'm ready, lets get this show on the road".

The merry-go-round was a smaller version of the one we rode at Balboa Park, but still fun enough for Miss Laila to ride several times. When we took a break from the rides, we found a couple of t-shirts, and a kind of dress for Laila, before we took a stroll along the beach.

Around 3 pm, after "just one more time" on the vertical plunge ride, we headed back to the motor home. Once back at the Thousand Trails, we gave Laila an early Easter Basket, with a few toys, and the required chocolate Easter Bunny.

It was another fun day, and the energy of a 6 year old is almost limitless. That almost perpetual motion is sometimes a challenge for this set of Grand Parents, but, at the end of the day, it's really easy to say that it was well worth the effort.

Today is our last full day here in the San Diego area, and tomorrow morning, we'll start the eastbound trek back to Tucson. Where has this week gone?

On the drive back to the motor home yesterday afternoon, Patty called Marc to tell him we would be back late Saturday afternoon. We have no cell coverage here at the Thousand Trails outside Jamul, and have been accessing the Internet via the park's wireless network.