Santa Monica Pier and Arlington West

On the Sunday that Dad was here, I ran a 5K at the Santa Monica Pier. Dad went with me, and so we walked around the pier afterwards.

Noticed the Gump photo spot for the first time (every time I go to the Pier, I notice something new), so got Dad's picture taken. I have a similar picture taken at the Gump restaurant in Long Beach. These shoes were different, though--Dad got his shoes stuck in them!  :)

Something new this time around was the Arlington West exhibit. Basically, a group of veterans called Veterans for Peace erect and take down this memorial for the Iraq/Afghanistan War each weekend. Each cross is one American death in the war. You can read more about the memorial here:
www.war-memorial.net
NPR
There is also a like exhibit in Santa Barbara. I have been here to the Pier quite a bit, but have never seen it (probably because I don't typically go on a weekend). It is very sobering.

There is a place where you can write notes to a fallen soldier to place on one of the crosses. I couldn't stay very long without crying.

After walking down by the crosses, we went back up to the Pier and walked around. Because it was early on a Sunday, there were virtually no people around. It was quite nice to have a quiet Pier to walk down.

"I wish I were big."

Then Dad and I shared this hilarious moment where we tried to fit, like clowns, in this tiny kid's ride. It was so funny! I was laughing hysterically about it. Gotta love that I still share silly, fun moments like this with my dad.