Joining a Dolphin Stampede in San Diego

Joining a Dolphin Stampede in San Diego

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for July 6, 2025

Miss Sheri and I went to San Diego for a weeklong family vacation at Mission Beach. We stayed somewhere so pretty it felt like a screensaver—if your screensaver came with sand in your sheets and a seagull that kept making direct, unsettling eye contact.

Luke joined us for the whole trip because he’s the kind of guy who hears “wild animals on a beach” and says, “Let’s get closer.” The sea lions at La Jolla Cove put on a full reality show, complete with a screaming crowd and surprise chase scenes—basically SeaWorld without the guilt or ticket prices.

We spent much of our time visiting a wide variety of beaches in search of tide pools—either San Diego’s hiding them or we’re just really bad at marine biology. Ocean Beach was mostly rocks, disappointment, and a few hippies who looked like they’d already claimed the best shells.

We finally found actual tide pools on a beach in Coronado—after scrambling over rocks sharp enough to void a shoe warranty. A little girl yelled she'd spotted three stingrays, and sure enough, there they were… just hanging out like they’d reserved the place on Airbnb.

We loved La Jolla Cove so much we went back three times—but not enough to participate in a cliff plunge. We passed the “Unstable Cliffs” sign, sure, but stopped short of the edge where the truly bold (or dangerously confident) were dangling over shark infested waters.

We really enjoyed visiting the USS Midway Museum—a giant floating maze of planes, stories, and ladders that double as quad workouts. Between the claustrophobic bunks and narrow hallways, I now fully respect every sailor who lived on this thing without losing their mind or accidentally becoming part of the ventilation system.

It was really cool visiting the bridge and getting a bird’s eye view of the ship—and imagining what it was like when this place was packed with jets, sailors, and real chaos instead of tourists and souvenirs.

Avery joined us on Wednesday, so we took him up the coast to Torrey Pines Gliderport—where friendly strangers tried to convince us that running off a cliff with a glorified picnic blanket was totally normal. It did look amazing… but knowing my luck, I’d be the guy who takes a left turn and ends up trending on a Coast Guard rescue page.

We had to introduce Avery to our new sea lion friends, since he also enjoys getting way too close to wild animals with no exit strategy. The nearby rookery had a 1,300-pound male they called “Submarine”—probably because if he charges, you're going under whether you like it or not.

The four of us went on a deep sea fishing trip near La Jolla Cove over the kelp beds—hoping to catch a bunch of fish and not embarrass ourselves. We nailed the first part with nearly 20 spotted bass… and I personally made sure no fish felt left out by letting most of them swim right past me.

Miss Sheri isn’t usually big on fishing, but she always jumps in with a smile—and for a while, she was flat-out dominating the leaderboard. She eventually had to take a little break to settle her stomach—sea conditions: 1, Miss Sheri: 0—but she bounced back like a champ.

Avery was doing great—he and Luke were reeling in spotted bass like it was their side hustle. Eventually we declared extra credit for catching anything not named “spotted bass,” and sure enough, they both pulled in baby barracudas. Adorable little killers, but not quite entrée-sized.

Luke was the big winner of the day, landing fish from three different species—including this beauty, a sheepshead. Must’ve been a hot catch, because the captain scooped it up faster than we could say “photo op.” He knew we weren’t keeping fish and said this one was headed straight to his dinner plate.

After the fishing trip, Avery and I hit the bay for some paddle boarding—he nailed it, of course, then headed off to boogie board with the locals while I stayed back like a worried lifeguard who forgot his whistle. I lost sight of him for a bit and mildly panicked… which is dad-speak for “started planning a coast-wide search and rescue.

On Thursday night, Abby finally joined us—completing the human portion of the family vacation. Now that everyone had arrived and roll call was done, the real fun could begin… assuming no one wandered off, got seasick, or tried to hug a sea lion.

Of course we had to take her to see the sea lions—mainly so she could take a nice photo of the four of us. I really liked how it turned out… but next time, we’ll ask someone else to take the picture so she can be in it also.

We saved our best adventures for last. Friday night we set off on a sunset whale watching cruise… hoping to spot whales, which of course meant we didn’t. But what we got instead was something even better: a front-row seat to one of those rare, unforgettable moments you don’t see coming.

Near the edge of the shelf—where the ocean floor drops from a polite 75 feet to a gaping 1200—we suddenly heard our naturalist get giddy. She said we were about to witness something rare. And then, like a surprise party thrown by the sea, a Megapod of Dolphins came stampeding straight toward us.

A megapod is defined as a group of more than 1,000 dolphins traveling together—and not only did we witness one, but they stampeded alongside our boat for more than 15 minutes. According to the naturalist, that kind of close-up encounter is incredibly rare. To us, it just felt like pure magic.

Saturday we tackled the world-famous San Diego Zoo—and yes, it lived up to the hype. We all showed up for the pandas, but walked away unexpectedly obsessed with the hippos. Turns out, 3,500 pounds of underwater swagger beats bamboo-munching fluff every time.

Like all good vacations, this one ended way too fast. We wrapped things up with a stroll through Mission Beach, Belmont Park, and a whole lot of people-watching. San Diego has officially made the “we’re definitely coming back” list… again.

@toddswank We had a fun encounter with the sea lions at La Jolla Cove. #sealions #lajolla ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank My son took out the paddle board for the first time. While watching him drift out there, I started getting paranoid about something crazy happening. So I used AI to animate my imagination. He was fine. #paddleboarding #oceanfear #wasthatawhale? ♬ original sound - Missy Elliott

@toddswank Paddle boarding turned into surfing. #paddleboarding #surfing ♬ sonido original - 🧡𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙤

@toddswank We ran into a mega pod of dolphins on our San Diego Whale Watching Cruise!! #megapod #dolphins #whalewatching #sandiego ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

The Minnesota Vikings Flew Us To Jolly Old England

 

The Minnesota Vikings Flew Us To Jolly Old England

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 13, 2024

Last weekend, we flew to London for an unforgettable adventure. After a blur of a Heathrow Express ride, a quick Uber to the hotel, and dropping off our bags, we jumped back on the Tube. Our first mission: Buckingham Palace to catch the Changing of the Guard. But, of course, by the time we fought our way through a sea of tourists, we could barely see anything through the gates. It was chaos, it was exhausting—and it was the perfect way to dive headfirst into the madness that is London.

We managed to sneak a few peeks of the Changing of the Guard by weaving through the crowd like pros—until we paused for a photo and promptly got scolded by the police to “keep moving.” Buckingham Palace, with its 775 rooms and royal fanfare, was impressive, but the guard ceremony itself was a chaotic ballet of red coats and tourists' elbows. It’s been a tradition since 1660, but honestly, we mostly saw camera phones and heads in our way. 

We were incredibly lucky to win this trip, courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings, to see them take on the New York Jets. The Vikings ran a contest to incentivize season ticket holders to pay their invoices early. I paid mine immediately, not expecting much—but by the time Max called to tell me I’d won, I’d completely forgotten about it. What an awesome surprise! Flight, hotel, and game tickets all covered—how could you not love that? We are very blessed!

After Buckingham Palace, we had tickets to tour Westminster Abbey. With a few hours to kill, we wandered through the city, hitting all the iconic spots—Big Ben, Parliament, and the statue-filled Parliament Square. We tried our best to blend in and not look like lost tourists, but let’s face it—I stick out like a sore thumb. And the irony? I’ve only got one thumb… which, technically, used to be a finger.

Westminster Abbey was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It’s been the site of every British coronation since 1066 and holds the remains of kings, queens, poets, and scientists alike, including Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Dickens. The gothic architecture is overwhelming, with towering arches and intricate stained-glass windows that make you feel small in the best way. Walking through, we marveled at the beauty—and got a bit creeped out knowing just how many famous people were buried beneath our feet. It’s both a celebration of history and a reminder that even legends eventually take up residence underground.

The craftsmanship throughout this ancient cathedral is beyond stunning—everywhere you look, there’s a new marvel to take in. It's also packed with enough famous skeletons to fill a Hollywood red carpet—kings, queens, and poets, all crammed in like it’s a VIP section for the afterlife. We strolled through Poet’s Corner, where Chaucer, Dickens, and Shakespeare either rest or have plaques pretending they do. Fun fact: they even stuck Charles Darwin in here—because nothing says poetic justice like a scientist buried in a church. And while the architecture made our jaws drop, it’s a little unsettling knowing half the floor you're walking on is just decorative burial space.

Navigating the Tube felt like jumping into an urban labyrinth. London's Underground is the oldest subway system in the world, kicking off operations in 1863, and it moves millions of people every day. In the daylight hours, it’s a well-oiled machine—but those early mornings? A different story. Wandering through the empty tunnels, with no one around except the occasional flickering light, felt like we’d been cast in a horror movie. It was creepy enough that we kept waiting for someone to pop out from a dark corner just to say, "Welcome to the dungeon!"

We kicked off Saturday with an all-day bus tour through the gorgeous English countryside. Rolling hills, charming villages, and ancient landmarks dotted the landscape like scenes from a postcard. Every bend in the road felt like stepping back in time, as if the land itself had stories to tell that go back millennia. Compared to this, America feels like it’s still figuring things out. There’s something surreal about driving past castles, Roman baths, and mystical stone circles, all in one day—like history is just casually scattered along the highways here. It was both humbling and exhilarating, and we couldn’t wait to dive deeper into each spot.

Traveling always gets better when you meet great people. We hit it off with Phil and Mel, die-hard Vikings fans like us, also here for the game. Jerry and Susie, on the other hand, were from Australia, hopping around Europe. Sharing laughs and stories with these new friends made the whole adventure way more rewarding—because let’s face it, exploring is way more fun when you're doing it with good company.

Windsor Castle was downright majestic. Walking through its grand halls and private quarters, it’s easy to imagine the royals casually sipping tea here—when they’re not busy being fabulously royal. Fun fact: It’s the largest, oldest inhabited castle in the world, but somehow they still manage to open it up to the public like it’s just another tourist trap. Honestly, letting us wander around their actual living space? Bold move. I kept expecting a butler to pop out and say, “Please don’t touch the Queen’s favorite chair.”

We stumbled upon the guards suiting up for the day—classic case of “wrong place, wrong time.” Got told more than once to step aside as they were clearly not thrilled to have tourists in their workspace. These guards may look like ceremonial figures, but they’re actually active-duty soldiers from the Household Division, responsible for protecting the royal residences. Oh, and those iconic bearskin hats? They weigh about 1.5 pounds—imagine trying to stay stoic with that perched on your head all day.

Stonehenge was a bit surreal to visit, but I’ll be honest—it’s out in the middle of nowhere and really just looks like someone abandoned a stack of rocks. But hey, it’s ancient rocks. Built around 3000 BC, it’s older than the Pyramids and was likely used as a burial site and for astronomical rituals. Scientists are still debating how these massive stones were transported—some came from 150 miles away. I was hoping for something supernatural, like a stone shifting or a mystical portal opening. But no such luck—just a windy field and a lot of speculation.

By the time we reached Bath, we were running on fumes and didn’t have much energy left for exploring. But we did stumble upon the Bath Abbey, a stunning Gothic structure that anchors the heart of town. Bath, known for its Roman-built baths and hot springs, is the only place in the UK where you can bathe in naturally warm, mineral-rich waters. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture. After a quick coffee break at a local café, we climbed back on the bus for the long ride back to the hotel—heads full of history and feet begging for mercy.

Sunday was game day, and we navigated the Tube and train to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a futuristic venue with a retractable NFL field beneath its soccer pitch. The NFL has been bringing games to London since 2007, building a loyal overseas fanbase and making these matchups an annual tradition. We couldn’t resist getting a photo with the Vikings cheerleaders, and we didn’t mind the TV camera catching us either. About 30 minutes later, a good friend texted me from Minnesota—at 5 a.m. their time—saying he just saw us on the NFL Network. Sadly, I haven’t been able to track down the footage yet, which is disappointing, because I’d really love to see how sexy we looked.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is absolutely stunning. Not only is it brand-new and designed with world-class amenities, but they also included food with our tickets—though I’ll admit, London cuisine didn’t exactly win us over. One thing they nailed, though: free beer at halftime. Now that’s a tradition I wouldn’t mind bringing stateside. What really blew me away was the sea of Vikings fans—it felt like a purple takeover. I swear, the crowd was 10-to-1 Vikings fans vs. Jets fans, making the whole thing feel more like a home game in Minneapolis than a London showdown.

Coming into the game with an undefeated 4-0 record, the Vikings had us all riding high. It’s impossible not to love a team led by stars like Justin Jefferson, who makes everything on the field look easy. And the atmosphere? Unreal. The Gjallarhorn’s booming call shook the air, and the SKOL chant rattled the stadium like it was built on a fault line. Honestly, if the players weren’t feeding off that energy, they deserve an Oscar for faking it.

Sam Darnold had every reason to be pumped going into this game. Fresh off being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week and Player of the Month, the guy has been on a tear. But you’ve got to imagine this one hit a little differently—facing the team that once pinned their hopes on him only to move on faster than a bad stock tip. After an up-and-down journey through New York, a rocky stint in Carolina, and now a resurgence, it seems like Darnold has finally found his groove. If revenge games fuel players, this one probably had him waking up early with a little extra bounce in his step.

The stadium was packed with Vikings legends, including Jared Allen, who was honored at halftime with induction into the London Ring of Honour. Seeing Allen recognized for his incredible career, including his knack for racking up sacks, was the perfect cherry on top of an already thrilling day. It’s always a blast to witness these moments firsthand, especially when they celebrate players who helped define the heart and soul of the team.

The Vikings stormed out to a 17-0 lead, only to do what they do best—make us sweat. The Jets clawed back, and for a minute there, it felt like Rodgers was about to pull off one of his vintage comebacks. But nope—Stephon Gilmore picked him off in the final minutes, capping Rodgers' day with three interceptions. Meanwhile, Andrew Van Ginkel’s 63-yard pick-six was the ultimate "thanks for the early Christmas gift" moment. In the end, the Vikings held on 23-17, staying undefeated at 5-0 and proving, once again, nothing feels sweeter than beating Rodgers.

On our final day, we visited Tower Bridge, the real star of London’s skyline. Built in 1894, it’s a bascule bridge—which means it lifts in the middle to let ships pass beneath. The twin Gothic-style towers give it that fairytale look, but it’s all business when those roadways swing open, still operating the same way they did over a century ago. Walking across it, surrounded by all that history, was the perfect way to end the trip—though I was half-hoping we’d see it lift while we were on it, just to add some adventure to our last day.

The British Museum is an overwhelming treasure trove of human history, art, and culture—and believe me, by day four of our whirlwind trip, I was feeling every step. Founded in 1753, the museum holds more than 8 million artifacts, from the Rosetta Stone to ancient Egyptian mummies. It’s basically the world’s attic, filled with things Britain “borrowed indefinitely.” Miss Sheri, however, was fully in her element, snapping photos of every exhibit like a paparazzo on assignment. Meanwhile, I just tried to stay upright, wondering how many more rooms we had to trudge through before I could find a chair... or a snack.

The British Museum is packed with some of the most jaw-dropping artifacts, spanning continents and millennia. It houses the Rosetta Stone—basically the first-ever translation app—and massive chunks of the Parthenon, aka the “Elgin Marbles,” which Greece still isn’t thrilled about losing. With over 8 million objects in its collection, the place feels like the world’s oldest treasure hunt. Then there was this guy—an ancient bust just sitting there, begging for a challenge. So naturally, I leaned in for a stare-off. Verdict? He stayed stone-cold, and I blinked first.

Here's some TikToks I made during the trip:

@toddswank Westminster Abbey is Awe Inspiring!#westminsterabbey #london ♬ Magic Glockenspiel - DOMANSED

@toddswank Windsor Castle is so beautiful!! #windsor #castle #england ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank Stonehenge #stonehenge #england ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank Lots of Vikings Fans in London!! #vikings #skol #london ♬ HOT TO GO! - Chappell Roan

@toddswank Pre game warmups in London. #vikings #SKOL #london ♬ Game Day - ROKKA

@toddswank The Vikings game in London was a bunch of fun! 5-0!! #vikings #london #SKOL ♬ Powerful songs like action movie music - Tansa

@toddswank One of our favorite discoveries in London. The Outernet! #outernet #london #experience ♬ Halloween ・ cute horror song - PeriTune

A Visit to Hoċokata Ṫi

 

A Visit to Hoċokata Ṫi

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for March 17, 2024

We were driving by Canterbury Downs in Shakopee and saw a large construction site actively at work.  I wasn't aware what was being built so I asked ChatGPT who told me the following:  

The big brick building being constructed near Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, Minnesota, is a new outdoor music venue. This open-air amphitheater, with a capacity of 19,000 seats, is part of a larger project expected to open in the summer of 2025. The project is being funded by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and PCL Construction Services Inc. They are collaborating to develop a $400 million entertainment district in the area. Besides the amphitheater, the entertainment district will include a casino expansion, a hotel, a golf course, a water park, a multi-sport dome, retail spaces, and restaurants, aiming to create a comprehensive entertainment and leisure destination.

I had no idea this was coming to the area, but now that I do know I'm excited for summer of 2025 to get here.

Speaking of our local Native American Tribe, Miss Sheri had been asking to make a visit to Hoċokata Ṫi which is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s (SMSC) cultural center and gathering space.  

It opened in July of 2019, but we'd never been here before.  We wanted to see their 3,805-square-foot public exhibit, Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake, which their website says provides visitors with a cultural experience that enhances their knowledge and understanding of the Mdewakanton Dakota people and their history.

The beginning of the exhibit features a small theater with a neat multi-media set-up around a fake fire which makes you feel like you're in a teepee hearing stories from your elders.  It features tales of how the universe and human beings were created as passed down over the centuries from the tribe's ancestors.  I honestly found it to be pretty inspirational and very well done.

Miss Sheri is a big fan of eagles and always excited whenever we see one in nature.  So she was thrilled to see their display featuring an eagle's feather.  I'm not sure what they said about it as I forgot to read the display explanation, but I'm sure it was fascinating.

  Their pamphlet said the Dakota used canoes for travel and for Psinjhnaketu otherwise known as wild rice harvesting.  This dugout canoe was found in Lake Minnetonka in the 1930s and is almost 300 years old!  I'd sure like to ride in that thing.

I've always been fascinated with arrowheads, so this display of many of their hunting tools caught my attention.

 This book was pretty troubling to read.  It showcases the history of the land in Minnesota they once owned and how it was subsequentially "Negotiated" away from them throughout history through a variety of treaties with the US Government.  Pretty eye opening stuff.

 Before the age of Indian casinos, they didn't have a lot of money in their community.  They had an old trailer set-up to represent this era with a radio playing stories as told by tribe members for how they were treated in the community back in the day.  It was pretty powerful stuff.    

It's not a huge museum, but I was pretty impressed with it.  It does a nice job telling about the Mdewakanton Dakota people and their history.  If you're in the area and have an hour or two to kill, I'd recommend checking it out.  

On Saturday night, we connected with our buddies the Browns and the Zitzewitzes for an early St. Patrick's Day celebration.  They were serving corned beef and cabbage at the Savage Legion.  I draw the line at green beer for my celebrating, so enjoyed watching those who partook in that menu choice while I ate a burger instead.

Miss Sheri took this sunset picture earlier this week.  If you squint you can see a couple of trumpeter swans in the distance under the majestic hues painting the sky.  Ha ha.  I said hues.