California, Part 3: Manhattan Beach

Upon leaving San Diego, Marlowe and dad headed up to Manhattan Beach for the wedding. Mom met them there. On Saturday, all enjoyed a wonderful lunch, then explored the town.

Here is a shot of Marlowe atop a sculpture he enjoyed climbing.

Here he is that same day, on the beach--first with mom, then with dad.

Looking sharp in advance of the wedding.

Everyone hit the beach again in Sunday, prior to heading back to Philadelphia. All in all, it was a great trip. Marlowe has promised to return to Southern California again, and soon.

California, Part 2: San Diego-USS Midway

After leaving Legoland, Marlowe and Dad arrived at the Balboa Park Inn in San Diego. Marlowe immediately declared it his favorite hotel ever.

As this picture was taken, it was snowing back home in Philadelphia. Upon some not insignificant prodding from dad, Marlowe agreed that there is something to be said for Southern California weather.

Marlowe and dad spent Friday morning on the USS Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked in San Diego. Here is a view from the top deck, where a number of navy aircraft have been placed for public inspection.

Marlowe sitting in a the back of a helicopter that sits on the top deck of the carrier.

The highlight of the day for Marlowe was checking out this airplane from the cockpit.

Here he sits inside of said cockpit.

California, Part 1: San Diego-Legoland

Last weekend, Marlowe and the family headed out to southern California for Andover friend Brian McEvoy's wedding in Manhattan Beach. Marlowe and dad flew out to Los Angeles on Thursday, then headed directly to Legoland in Carlsbad.

As you can see, Legoland is beautiful.

Legoland features small-scale versions of a number of real-life places, as well as a number of rides and other attractions. Here is a miniature version of Cafe Du Monde, a famous coffee and beignet spot in New Orleans that Marlowe visited in January of 2010.

As it turned out, Legoland had recently unveiled a new Star Wars-based set of exhibits at the time of Marlowe's visit (Marlowe currently LOVES everything about and related to the Star Wars Universe of locales and characters). Here is Marlowe in front of the a Lego version of the Hoth snow battle depicted in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Marlowe with a Lego R2-D2.

Marlowe also spent some time on the rides at Legoland. Here is is driving a car on the racetrack of what was probably his favorite attraction other than the Star Wars exhibit.