THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

The zoo in San Diego is by any one's standards, a world class facility, with a world class reputation. It had been about 17 years since Patty and I last visited this magnificent collection of plants and animals, and except for the large crowds, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The first picture shows the long lines waiting to buy tickets into the zoo, and that was only the beginning. The popularity of the zoo has created both a good and a bad. The good is that with a high admission price ($42 adult), the zoo has a lot of capitol for animal care, research, and infrastructure expansion. The bad is the admission price, and the huge numbers of people.

Lunch time at the Zoo.

We started the morning with a bus tour of the zoo, sitting on the top of the Double Decker Bus. I paid the upgraded ticket price of $59, which got us to the front of the huge line waiting to board the buses. It also got us admission into the 4D theater which featured a a 15 minute 3D movie, incorporating moving seats, air, bubbles, water, and a couple of snowfalls. Very cool experience.

Riding the sky ride from one end of the Zoo to the other.

3 silly seals in the ice pack.

You won't see a lot of animal pictures, despite the fact that there are approx. 4,000 creatures at the San Diego Zoo. However, I did take a few shots of the Giant Pandas, after we waited in a line for 15-20 minutes. This zoo is one of only two in the U.S. that I know of, with a Giant Panda exhibit. I could be wrong, but I think the National Zoo in D.C. is the only other place. Both of the Pandas on display were sleeping, but at least they were out in the open.

There's only a few places in the world where you can see a real live Giant Panda.

Laila with her new genuine San Diego Zoo Penny, right out of Grandpa's pocket.

It was around 3 pm, when we all decided that we had just about enough walking for the day, and so we headed for the exit. If you've never been to the San Diego Zoo, one thing to consider is the fact that there's lots of ups and downs. The facility is built on acreage that is anything but flat, so a day of walking here, is more like several days of walking at other zoo's.

On the way out, we made one last stop in the gift shop, where Laila picked out the stuffed animal pictured below. "Squeaky" is the new addition to the family, and with Laila's other new addition "Princess" the unicorn, there was lots of 3 way conversations going on in the back seat of the jeep, on the ride back to the motor home.

When it was time for dinner, Laila and Grandma fixed some twirly squash, while I BBQ'd some steaks. After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll around the park, ending up back at the motor home, long after the sun had set.

Not sure where our destination is today, but we're not in a big hurry. The Sea World and the Zoo days were early riser days. Today is a lazy morning day, with no urgency to get anywhere. So, after breakfast, I'm sure we'll find a new adventure, somewhere.