botias | Octopuses/pods/pi are Awesome!

The boys and I went on a mini-tour of the local marine laboratory this morning. Arwen the Giant Pacific Octopus graciously condescended to emerge from her cave, diaphanous skirts flowing and billowing, and examined us in return with large metallic gold eyes. Her tentacles touched the front of the aquarium like a person might hold a railing as they took in the view. For the most part, she chose to be about the size of a beach ball (our guide reminded us that her only hard body part was her beak which is about the diameter of a ping pong ball, so she can make herself that small/narrow if she so wishes) with her tentacles probably 5 or 6 ft from tip to tip. Magnificent! If I've ever seen a more beautiful creature, I can't recall it.

Then we walked down the hill to Trinidad State Beach where the kids climbed on very big rocks and extremely dirty cliffs until their dear mother's nerves could bear it no longer. Now that I've puttered in the garden for a few hours, they've talked me into watching a movie during which 3yo will hopefully nap. Then it's baths, tooth brushing, and some mind-rotting computer games before bed.