Redding 2025: Wet (, Hot) & Wild

We have been making an ~annual trip to Redding to visit the Water Works water park for the past few summers.  This weekend, a "Moms' trip [with Dads brave enough to join]" was organized by Shannon. 

There were many one-way traffic stops due to roadwork along the 299, but we got to Redding around 5 p.m. on Friday to check in and enjoy the Red Lion hotel pool, which is apparently (per Shannon) the best in Redding (we've also previously stayed at AirBnB rentals or the Home2Suites).

We spent the whole Saturday at Water Works, albeit without many photos, enjoying the water slides and pools on a ~105-degree day.  Niall, who we'd thought would have a ton more fun this year as he recently became a confident swimmer, was kind of grumpy and spent a lot of time in the cabana, but Iver had a blast running around with his friends, and we enjoyed the refreshing water, too  (Hudson was the only one brave enough to ride the "Avalanche," a U-shaped slide with a steep drop, with me).

My friend Alyssa and her husband Rob/daughter Alina also joined us from Chico (about an hour south of Redding), which was lovely! For the past few years, I've been doing an evening virtual Bible study with Alyssa and a few friends so I *feel* like we connect a lot, but seeing her and catching up in person was a treat! 

Upon exiting the park, we swung by Burger King for some (not overpriced) soft serve!

In the evening, we went to the Botanical Gardens near Redding's famous Sundial Bridge to visit "Glowing Wild," a lantern exhibit, on its last open day. We tried to wait until close to sunset so the glow effect would be better, but our kids generally go to bed so early (8-ish), we didn't want to push it too late.

The crew on Sundial bridge

Lots of informative plaques about the animals and plants featured accompanied the beautiful glowing lantern art.

This Morning Glory blew smoke rings

Spider!

Whack-a-mole Crab

Gen-X parents will recognize this toy!

The effect was definitely better when we departed, ~9:30 p.m.! 

Until next year, Redding!

Tamanique Waterfalls, El Tunco Life (El Salvador, Parte Dos)

On Day two of our trip, we headed out to Tamanique Waterfalls, about a 30-min drive from our rented house.   It was HOT and I think we underestimated how tired we'd feel walking in the 90-degree heat (sorry, Mom & Dad!), but Chamba again guided us to a special spot in the country.

I think it was about a two-mile walk down to the group of four waterfalls (Cascadas) in the valley surrounded by farms. They were really scenic and felt so secluded/secretive.

You could jump off rocks safely on two of the four falls, and swim at the base (if you chose).

The kids were a bit apprehensive (the water was colder than they expected, I think!). 

Iver was more interested in viewing the tiny and major tadpoles in the water.

Auntie Vanessa dipped her feet in.

Chamba demonstrated how to jump off the rocks into the pool at the base of the falls.

The older boys geared up!

Kelvin had a lot of anticipatory anxiety but took the plunge (twice). It was probably about a 25-foot drop.

Iver even took a little leap off the lower rock-- I was proud of him! 

We had a late lunch at Roca Sunzal, a hotel right on the beach at El Tunco (named after a piggie-shaped rock), and had delicious drinks and seafood.

Back at the house, the kids wanted to get right into the private pool to cool off. 

The pool was spectacular, with spouting delfines.

Iver was really into jumping from the upper to lower pool, playing "Man after the ball" and "mouse chases the cheese" (because of N's yellow floaty jacket) with Niall.

Niall is more of a relaxer.

We then got coaxed into coordinated jumps. 

We enjoyed the evening(s) with game and family time.

Dominoes!

Chess for beginners!

Auntie love!