We'd be walking around (hiking up many hills) only to find most of the animals sleeping, then Randy would say "You know why? Because it's freakin hot." He also cracked me up by saying "For a zoo, there's a surprising lack of animals."
The highlight was seeing a huge monitor lizard actively walking next to the glass of it's cage. That thing looks like a dinosaur and has a tongue like a snake. It was cool.
We also got to see a Panda bear eating, which was cool because we hadn't seen a Panda in real life before. The ice cream cones we got were a good treat, considering the heat and our bus tour through the zoo provided a nice rest and saved us a ton of walking.
We decided to drive back over to Sea World after the zoo because it was so close by and because our passes allowed us to get back in. It was great, much cooler, totally empty, shady and great.
We passed the flamingos like 4 times!
We love Sea World. We ended up seeing the show missed the other day, spent more time with the sting rays (smooth and slimy), saw the Starfish and a bunch of the awesome aquariums.
We probably should have headed back to Claudia's at this point, but decided to meet her family at Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego. Traffic was bad (of course) so it took them a long time to get to us.
We were all weary and hungry, so we ended up sitting at a table in the food court being mocked by the tasty shops surrounding us. By the time they arrived we had to hurry and snarf down some food so we could make it over to catch the 8:00 ferry. We all fit in their car (a Sequoia) and I sat in the very back with Landon and Whitney. I told them this ride would be like one at the amusement park, much like Indiana Jones, boy was I right! I don't know how she still has a license, seriously. She flew through the streets, flipped u-turns, stopped abruptly and started fast. Good grief. The kids were laughing and probably thought she was driving like that just to be fun.
We barely caught the ferry. Of course little Alexei had to pee as soon as we got there, and there was no bathroom handy so his wonder mom (Claudia) helped him by providing a take-out container she found in the trash. I said to Alfredo, "You realize not every woman would do something like that right?" She's so resourceful and easygoing, she didn't think twice about it. (She had helped Alexei pee in a cup after our trip to Ruby's the night before.)
The ferry ride was peaceful, breezy, and beautiful. It was a treat to see the city lights and to be able to do so while sitting. Ha. Landon and Whitney had never been on a boat like that before so they thought that was super cool.
By the end up this day I thought I was going to lose it. I had the Jimmy-leg in the car on the way back so badly that I couldn't close my eyes and relax. It was awful. The kids both fell asleep right away in the car, and we all sacked out as soon as we got back to the house. I don't know how Claudia and Alfredo keep the pace they do, they're always on the go, go, go and never seem irritable or tired.
**Do you like zoos?
How do you do in the heat?
Do you drive crazy?
Have you ever had your child pee in a cup?
Have you ever touched a sting ray?**
20 comments:
Can you believe it is November with this California weather. You are here when it's hot - that's for sure.
Sorry the zoo was a bust. The zoo is not my favorite, I would much rather do Sea World and I have never done the wild animal park. Lived here my whole life and never been - guess I should put it on my list.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Too bad about the zoo. Sorry it was freakin' hot. I do love Sea World -- aquarium life is so interesting, I love jellyfish and stingrays and starfish. The dolphins and whales put on a good show, and you can always see the animals!
No, I have never had my child pee in a cup! At least she didn't have him pee over the edge of the boat, like I saw a little boy do on our Parisian boat ride...
Sorry about the zoo. I was afraid my memories of it would taint you and I felt bad for being negative about it but maybe they are fairly accurate.
It seems like you did three huge things in one day. You guys are out of control...
My first thought was over the side of the boat too....
Sounds like another fun day! I'm not crazy about the zoo -- any zoo.
I love your description of the day. The ferry ride sounds great and while I would never encourage my son to pee in a cup, he has used a water bottle (not my suggestion).
Funny, just this morning I was mentioning that I've never seen a live Panda before.
I am not a zoo lover - but I do have a love affair with Sea World! I wanted to be a marine biologist and work there! I have swam with and fed sting rays in the Atlantic Ocean! Loved it!I could watch the same Shammu show everyday and still cry! Total nut job!
I don't drive crazy - I think that it is funny that your littles thought her driving was so fun! Looks like you guys are fitting much into your trip! With four boys we have only had to resort to a big gulp cup incident once - while stuck in traffic on the freeway for 2 hours!
That Claudia sounds like a blast to hang out with! Always something fun going on!
It sounds like the Zoo was a bust. Sea World is seriously the best isn't it?
Claudia sounds like she is so fun! I'd love to meet her someday!
The Zoo and heat are not a good combo. I love that harbor cruise too. I will have to take my family to do that when we are there next month. The kids would love it.
i never get much joy out of the zoo either...I prefer sea world (or Disneyland). You guys have been so busy! Claudia amazes me, how does she keep so busy all the time with two little boys. She puts me to shame!!
I hope you got to relax a little today. This weather is RIDICULOUS!! I LOVE where I live, usually for the mild temperature, but this heat wave in November is killing me...we have had our AC running for two days straight...like I said....RIDICULOUS!!!
I love Horton Plaza, went to College right down the street from it. Spent hours sketching and drawing the buildings there for one of my art classes.
Also the pictures of San Diego were such a delight to see. I get home sick for CA every now and then. It has been fun to read about your visit. I grew up in Oceanside! Have you had a chance to visit the any musuems at Bal Boa? Tuesday's there is one free to the public. Not sure how long you plan on being there. We loved the Musuem of Man! We took a pic nic and at near some of the fountains. There is a place called Sea Port Village, it is also a fun place to visit. Candy making shop there that has wonderful salt water tafy.
Best wishes.
Yeah-my mom once offered McCall a Gatorade bottle in a pinch and it was all over after that! I guess I am grateful to have 3 boys for that very reason. We actually have a spot that we lovingly call the "pee pee palace" that we stop at so the boys can proffer up a dribble and shake between our house and grandma's!
I love zoos except for Hogle zoo but I hate heat. Enjoy it though it's supposed to be freezing next week in Utah. I don't drive crazy at least by Utah & CA standards.
Pee in a cup- no way- can't do it. On the side of the road sure, but in a cup. I just don't have it in me.
So glad you could go back to Sea World how nice it wasn't crowded- that's fantastic!!
Being in the back of a car makes me feel so anxious, expecially an SUV. I hate it.
Have fun~ thanks for sharing.
"For a zoo, there is a surprising lack of animals." I rarely laugh out loud when I read, but that did it!
We love zoos. We take the kids as often as we can, and they love it. They each have their favourite thing they want to see.
Dirk and I went to the Sandiego Zoo on our honeymoon and we had a great experience, but it was very hot. I'll give you that for sure!
Nick is with you on San Diego Zoo disappointment. We were glad we did the drive-by bus tour because Nick is convinced that the zoo was 90% rare wart hogs. haha But we had a great time. The Columbus Zoo is the best zoo we've been to- I am zoo fan and my family mocks me all the time.
I hate trying to enjoy vacation when it's too hot. Randy had me cracking me up over those comments.
Sea World look so much better than the zoo. My kids love all the animals, I can't wait to take them to Sea World one day.
I agree with Amie, 3 things in one day seems huge. No wonder you got the jimmy leg on the way home. I'm glad you have a home to go back to and not a hotel. That has to make things nicer.
Claudia's driving was humorous in your post but thinking about being in the back make me car sick. Too funny though, I don't know her but I can see her driving like that. Maybe it's because she write on napkins and receipts that I can imagine her random and fast, =).
oh missy...when you said you would like to go to the harbor...that just made it. I was soooo proud of you that you were willing to extend your evening out. Sorry about the wait and having to hurry and all, but I am glad we got to see the city lights and enjoy the tranquil night...will have to catch TJ and DEL another time. It is just fabulous having you over. Thanks for choosing me to stay with your family.
LVU
Our nearest zoo is Chester Zoo. Expensive, and a lot of walking, I agree. I partic. loved going in the big, dark bat house. What a thrill - there's all sorts of shadowy 'things' flying past your head! You'd probably be like that anxious woman in the Catherine Tate show clip you posted!
What's a jimmy leg? Pins and needles?
Paul touched a stingray at Blue Planet, not long after Steve Irwin had been killed by one. I think he felt sorry for them Everyone hated ALL stingrays for a while after Irwin's accident :-(
Applauding Claudia's pee-cup thinking. More hygienic (sp?) than just up a wall etc! And LOL at her driving. I think I'm pretty good, but my poor little car's 10 years old and takes a while to wake up on a cold morning. I tell Erin I've put 'bunny juice' in the petrol tank *blush*
I don't like zoo's much, out of all the zoo's we've visited - I'd say Hogle is one of the best - up close to animal zoo's around. We didn't much care for the LA zoo too big and way too much to see in the heat.
**Do you like zoos?yeah.. I like them, a good one, like the one in downtown Seattle.. the gorillas are my favorite to watch.. they are sooooooo human like..
How do you do in the heat? not good, I don't deal with it very often so I am not use to it!
Do you drive crazy? nope,
Have you ever had your child pee in a cup? nope
Have you ever touched a sting ray? nope
the ice cream looked soooooooo yummy! not many animals for a zoo huh? We have a zooin Tacoma like that.. wierd.. like all the animals are hiding or something..**
I've never been to San Deigo when it's hot. The weather's always been perfect. Too bad--you probably weren't expecting that! You'll be grateful, though. The cold is finally coming to Utah. Yuck!
Nothing like squeezing something into every bit of time. Wow, busy day. It's cool you had a pass that allowed you to come and go as you pleased. That way if you don't like something you don't have to stay. I'll remember that when we go next year, that's the plan thus far away. You know we should try and do something like this together.
The ferry ride sounds very appealing. Too bad it ended with the jimmy.
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