In San Diego play, exercise and FUN

In San Diego we are blessed with good weather year-round. Even when it's "bad" it's still pretty darn good, especially compared to many other cities across the U.S. When we moved here from Chicago, we happily left behind winter's brutal chill and summer's unrelenting humidity...

But then mother nature delivers a wallop and forces us to take note of what we've got and how quickly it can change. Since Monday we've been glued to the TV and have remained indoors (save going to and from the car). We're very lucky. We did not need to evacuate. My brother in law and his pregnant wife were not so lucky. They were evacuated several days ago, but were able to return to their home yesterday. It and they survived.

The air quality is terrible. Ash floats in the air and covers the car, ground etc. The "smell" seems much better today, but the particulates in the air are visible. We stay indoors. For our 16 month old who is used to spending 1-3 hours outside daily, this is a BIG change. We've tried to be creative.

After exhausting outings to Target, Costco and Whole Foods, playing with every toy twice, building forts etc., today we finally found a FUN thing to do, compliments of the My Gym in San Diego. Understanding that kids need to run, climb and play, they opened their indoor kid playground to all for the ENTIRE day! We arrived at opening and within 30 minutes the place was packed. Kids having FUN. Kids getting their exercise--and breathing clean air.

At Athletic-Minded Traveler we sometimes refer to really good health clubs or even certain cities (like San Diego) as athletic playgrounds. We know first hand that if you have fun while you exercise, you'll continue to and even want to exercise. It's why we tour every work out venue before recommending it.

Watching my little girl climb, run, jump, bounce, slide and crawl and then promptly fall asleep during the 10 minute car ride home, I knew she got her exercise. To her, she simply had FUN.