Travel

This year, we decided to head to San Diego for Spring Break. It seemed like the perfect destination– consistently good weather, beautiful beaches, and lots to do. As a bonus, early April isn’t peak tourist season in San Diego– allowing us to avoid the crowds that engulf more-typical Spring Break locales. As an added bonus, friends joined us for a portion of our adventure.

We spent the first part of the week at the Hyatt Regency on Mission Bay. While the rooms needed some modest updating, the views, service, and outdoor amenities made up for the slightly dated decor. Our room faced the harbor and Bambino loved watching the seals and seabirds from our balcony.

However, we spent a lot of time outside. We visited the rocky beaches of La Jolla and watched seals frolic on the Children’s Beach.

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We tested out the water slide in the Hyatt’s fantastic pool area.

And, we explored the funky neighborhood of Mission Beach. The more we travel, the more we are drawn to neighborhoods and cities with a cultural identity and sense of place. While La Jolla is posh and tourist-ready, Mission Beach felt more lived in. Admittedly, it is still a vacation town (with an old-fashioned beachfront amusement park), but Mission Beach seemed to cling to its surfer ethos and wasn’t perfectly pretty. In other words, it was our kind of place.

In fact, San Diego was our kind of tourist destination. There is a remarkable amount of things to do– but it’s also the kind of place where you can linger in a park or on a beach and do nothing. More on our adventures next time.

To be honest, I’m ambivalent about golf. My Dad taught me how to swing a club and I’ve played a round or two. But, I never was terribly interested in the sport. My boys adore the game. Bambino is an athletic kid and loves going to the driving range with his Dad. Occasionally, I tag along to take pictures and enjoy a long walk.

While planning our Boston/Cape Cod visit, I discovered that the Deutsche Bank Championship was being held nearby. Against my own personal interests, I suggested that we attend a day of the tournament. My boys happily agreed.

This was Bambino’s second golf tournament of the year. In May, we watched the Senior PGA Championship from a friend’s backyard.

Not a backyard, for the record. We’re not that posh. (And, I only seem to have one designated “golf outfit” for my kid.)

Beforehand, we discussed golf etiquette and the importance of being quiet and respectful. Thankfully, he took his responsibilities as a fan seriously.

While I do not share my boys’ love of golf, I did appreciate how the DeutscheBank Championship handled its youngest fans. The event benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation (which focuses on education and child empowerment). And, they encourage little ones to attend and enjoy the event.

At the driving range and multiple holes, there were “Kid Zones”– accessible only to children and their guardians. These zones allowed Bambino a front seat view of the course and practice venues. He even had a chance to greet Rory McIlroy (this year’s winner) and Jordan Speith.

Additionally, the clubhouse offered an autograph zone reserved for children. Many players spent a half hour or more signing autographs for their littlest fans. However, Bambino decided to forgo autographs and chose to play in the event’s Children’s Village at the end of our day. He worked on his mini golf skills.

He enjoyed a bounce house.

And had a generally great time.

By mid-day, he was exhausted. We piled back in the car and headed back for one last night in Boston. It was a quiet evening that involved a decent hotel dinner, some local beers, and television. The next morning, Bimbo and I headed home. Il Marito boarded a plane to Berlin.

Our last few trips (Italy, Chicago, and Boston) ended with my family splitting up and traveling separately. Initially, I expected my little boy to be troubled by this change in our routine. He has adjusted beautifully. I asked him if it bothered him that his dad was going on another plane without us. His response: “He always comes home. Daddies need adventures too.”

We left for Boston and Cape Cod hoping that the trip would foster our child’s curiousity, mental flexibility, and sense of confidence. Some days, I feel like I’m bolluxing up this parenting thing. Then, Bambino reminds me that I’m doing okay.

Here’s to raising a rolling stone.

La Vita Ebrom

Spring in San Diego

Golf and Going Home.