Monday, August 8, 2016

Zoo Mania

First,  I apologize for the random timing of my blogs this week.  We tried to do an automatic posting and it did not work.  I am sure it is operator error.  As you know,  I am a newbie and I am not a techie. Just moving the pics from one place to another is a little daunting but give me a little credit for trying.

You can teach an old dog new tricks.
One of the giraffe's.  There are a bunch of them and giraffe babies.

We recently did a  Zoo Day.  I have not been to the world famous San Diego Zoo for a couple of years so I thought why not?  I can walk those hills again and see it through the Grandgirls' eyes.
One of the three pandas.  A factoid- The San Diego Zoo pays $500,000 per panda to China per year.  These pandas had babies and the SDZ still paid China $500K per panda per year.  

We started out with the Panda exhibit because they say it gets the most crowded.  We saw two of the three and they were lively and very cute but they were far back in the exhibit so nothing really close to see.  Next we went on one of the golf cart tours where they drive you right up to the exhibits, stop for pictures and give you a good lesson in zoology.  It was an hour and truly wonderful.  You have minimal hiking and they really know their stuff.  I had two favorites, the amazing polar bears and the giraffes (my Mom's favorite).
The girls in the front of the golf cart.  Our guide was amazing and very kid friendly.  It was much more fun to ride in front than to sit in the back by Ya-Ya or Mom and Dad

By the time we exited the golf cart tour it was time for lunch and we went to the restaurant in the tree tops and had a waiter and a very wonderful lunch.  This restaurant was not a fast food restaurant but a very nice place .  We were seated right next to a waterfall in the treetops.
Polar bears were amazing.  They were very active and feeding while we were there.  Only the glass between us and the polar bears and they are huge.

Next we did the backstage experience.  It was hot by now and we were not all in the shade.  During the first part,  they show you animals right in front of the group of about 50.  Then they split us into two groups.  Our group did the flamingo feeding first.  The girls loved it.  Then they fed a kangaroo.  They loved both of these up close and personal experiences.  Next we rejoined the group and saw a few more animals up close and the kids got to pet some of the animals.  This was a little long for a 5 and 6 year old and also for me.  It was hot and we were all hitting the wall.
The girls feeding the flamingos.

We covered less than 50% of the zoo.  It is huge and there are many exhibits that you need to walk to, in order to see the animals.  We were lucky the weather was in the mid 70's but it is still hot sitting in the full sun.  Remember we come from  a dry heat- this humidity makes you sweat.
The girls feeding the kangaroo.

If you go to the Zoo:

  • Be there right when they open at 9 AM.  The morning is much more pleasant than the afternoon. And less crowded.
  • Go during the week.  Not the weekends.
  • Wear walking shoes and a hat.
  • Take the golf cart tour.  It is personal and a nice extra touch. You pay for it but it is kind of like getting a fast pass.  You have to book it ahead.  If you try to book it when you get there you will be out of luck.
  • You might want to pass on the Backstage tour.  It is long and a little hot.  You are seated based on where you are in the line to enter. There can be giant,  six foot adult men in front of your five year old.
  • Go to the nice restaurant in the treetops for a rest and some real food.  
  • Everyone should go to the San Diego Zoo at least once in their lifetime.  It is a great way to learn details about the  animals and appreciate all that the zoo does to protect and defend many endangered animals.
This is a picture of the dog that lives with the Cheetah.  This was part of the Backstage Pass experience.
At the Zoo, by Simon and Garfunkel
"The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb
Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently
What a gas, you gotta come and see
At the zoo"
A camel sand creation.  Sandology blog post is coming soon.......


Coming soon:
The Birthday Club
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Broadway Shows
A mermaid party
Sandology
How to differentiate your "For Sale" condo when there are 10 others for sale in the complex

Have a great day and hug your kids and puppies.  And always have a song in your heart.
Love, Ya-Ya

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