Volcanoes

Yesterday, we went to Stimson beach in Marin. It's been awhile since we've been to a beach (I think Maui was the last time) and I really liked getting back to one. This was a very pretty beach with excellent views on the road going there. The road is quite a twisty one, so I cautioned Daddy not to drive straight or we'd fall off the big mountain. Fortunately, Daddy took the curves perfectly and we made it without incident.

When we got to the beach, one of the best things to do is play in the sand. Daddy and I ended up building something that started as a castle but eventually became a volcano. Then, we played a game called "evil real estate developer." In the game, a developer named Sylvester McMonkey McBean (a huckster from the Dr. Seuss book, The Sneetches) builds a residential development on the side of the volcano. Everyone is happy and serene in their houses. The people are also amazed at the terrific prices they got for the properties. Until one day, a resident named Mr. Smith drives his truck up to the rim of the volcano to inspect it. This is where the trouble starts. Inevitably, when Smith's truck is right at the top "lava" (actually a big buck of sea water I brought from the ocean) pours out of the volcano pushing Smith's truck down the side of the mountain and destroying the properties below.

The game continues with variations. McBean builds a wall to protect the houses, suggesting:

The strength of this wall
There isn't a doubt
Keeps homes safe within
And lava without

Sadly (for the homeowners), McBean's wall fails, Smith's truck rolls down the mountain, and the hillside is once again empty.

McBean tries one more trick---building a dome or bubble around the houses. Once again, homeowners flock for the great views and bargain prices. McBean avers:

This volcano, it's true
Is nothing but trouble
But safe will you be
Inside of your bubble

Well, you can guess how the bubble thing turns out.