San Diego Trip, Day 4

Another eventful day on our trip! Needing some exercise, we got going early for a misty, marine-layered morning bike ride through the town of Coronado and along the Silver Strand. After our workout, we drove over to Balboa Park, a huge park and center in San Diego that is home to the zoo, greenspace, and museums. Today we met Andy's friend Ryan, who was in the area from NorCal, and went to the Air & Space museum. Ryan was a perfect docent for the trip, coming from a long line of aviation aficionados and holding a private pilot's license of his own. Alton went excitedly (in his usual sweet and serious face way, of course) from plane to plane, taking in WWI & II, astronaut paraphernalia, and a fun kids' activity zone.
He poses in a kid-sized craft.

Daddy tries on an astronaut helmet for Alton.

You can't tell in this picture, but they are playing with a remote control helicopter.

After a quick lunch and Alton's nap, the three of us Rhynes decided to hop back on the bikes and head to a nearby "concert in the park" with a picnic dinner. Alton happily munched strawberries and other packable edibles while the grandmotherly types around us on the grass smiled and told us how cute he is.

He and Daddy happily grooving to the music, which was a sort of "soft rock" collection of Jimmy Buffett, Beach Boys, and other classic summer tunes. A wonderful evening!