San Diego 2019 - Day 7

I think the only way to ensure Lola gets enough sleep is to make sure that I do all the blogging so she doesn't stay up too late trying to blog...

Day 7 was an earlier start so we could make the 45 mins drive to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  It was worth it.

AA borrowed B's reusable cup from yesterday's lunch for his coffee to go.  He promised to give it back.  And wash it.

The forecast for the day called for overcast skies and 19*C, weather which should allow for the animals to be active.

Our first stop at the park was at the butterfly exhibit where thousands of butterflies are flying around and could easily land on you.  Lola was the first to get a butterfly to land on her.  Then she had another (and another).  The kids were a little disappointed that they couldn't attract any butterflies as they walked around, arms stretched out trying to entice the butterflies to perch on them.  No luck.

AA had a butterfly land on his head, mostly his ear, which really tickled.  Eventually the kids each got a small piece of watermelon in a cup to try and attract butterflies.  This trick was successful for B but not for very long.

After the butterflies, we made the trek to the far end of the park to take a ride in the African safari where the animals are allowed to roam free.  There were many animals which made for a photo shooting frenzy.

After the safari ride, it was time for lunch back at the beginning of the park before starting on another loop of the park to check out all of the animals.

Highlights of today's park visit:

Combing some very calm goats.

Going on the Australian Walkabout, in a small enclosure with wallabies and kangaroos.  The kangaroo with a baby in its pouch which was 3 feet away was a clear favourite.

Watching a cheetah run a 100m dash in 5.6s (40 mph).

Seeing some rhinos, giraffes, tigers and lions up close and personal.

The elephant pen with lots of elephants (and one baby).

Learning about a bullfrog that weighed 3 lbs and eats once a week (or once every two weeks during its dormant period).

AA was still able to trick the kids throughout the day and only got tricked once or twice himself.

After the park, it was time for supper at BJs Brewhouse.  The food was really good (even Lola said so) and the kids were equally really good - enjoying some time reminiscing and looking at old photos of them (and others) on AA's phone.

Then, it was a short 30 mins drive back to the house but after only 5 mins of driving, T needed to poop so a quick pitstop at McD's was necessary.

I think we wore the kids out again, they went to bed pretty well again today and are pretty excited to see DD tomorrow.  Hopefully he made his flight which was today and not tomorrow like he thought at 5:30 his time this evening.

AA

ps. Some statue pictures from today:

San Diego 2019 - Day 6

It was a cooler, misty kind of day today.  But that didn't stop us from going to (by far) the largest zoo we've ever been too - the infamous San Diego Zoo.  And we were not disappointed.

We got to the zoo shortly after 9am and were hoping to take the Skifari (an overhead gondola that takes you from the entrance to the far end of the park).  But, the lift does not start operating until 10am.  So, instead we made the walk to first see the panda bears who are only going to be at the zoo for a few more months before going back to China.

We then made our way "north" (on the map anyways) towards the polar bear exhibit, making some stops along the way to see the many animals.  Uncle AA pointed to one empty exhibit which the kids willingly looked at for a few seconds before asking "what's in there?" to which the answer was "Nothing, tricked ya!"  Well, that was going to be the game for the rest of the day as kids and AA would point to something every once-and-a-while and say "hey look over there.... tricked ya!"  B was successful later in the day when AA legitimately looked when prompted.

The twinkies really enjoyed all of the animals (surprise, surprise) and all of the animal statues which they could climb on and take pictures with, only a sampling is below.

The summary of everyone's favourites:

T - all of the animals but the panda bears the most

B - all of the animals but the snakes the most

MBM - orangutans

Lola - penguins (and koalas, and orangutans, and lions, and...)

AA - koala bears

Some of the other animals from the day:

After we got our fill of zoo animals, it was time to get something from the gift shop - the kids had been pretty good today and this was their reward.  However, MBM laid out the criteria for their choices:

1.  One item
2.  No soft friends
3.  Had to fit in their bag (small "gift size" bag that their lunch came in)

T found his item first - a panda transformer.  B took a little longer... ok, a lot longer... like an extra 30 mins longer.  But, she finally settled on a lion transformer.

Supper was at Outback, in the same mall as Yard House, which was conveniently located near the house and would allow for a quick grocery pitstop.

It must have been a busy day, the kids are sound asleep, snoring in their rooms with very little fighting tonight.  And MBM and Lola both have their noses in their phones, getting caught up on the other social/news events of the day.

AA