The Zoo. The greatest zoo I have ever seen!

So I get it. I loved the zoo way too much. I loved every single thing about it. I could have spent forever and a day, and not been sad to have wasted my time. YOU on the other hand my think I am a nutto- and have no desire to look at my beautiful animal pictures. so don't. but you are missing out. It was the greatest day of the trip! (and believe it or not, I only put up half of my animal pictures. I took soooo many.)
Giraffes. we really were this close!!!Rhinos. Their plates are so fabulous.The gardens were lovely. I could have stayed there for a week.
The stinking koala bears would not turn around. I had never seen one before, so I was still excited.Bird of paradiseThe colors on these flamingos were so vivid. I couldn't get enough of them. The fuzzy headed baby was hysterical too. This piggy is for Kira. Oh see the panda sleeping in the tree.This is a life size replica of the first known elephant. Humongous!

PEDICURE!!!Keeping the big bull entertained during his Pedi.In line for pedicures!I loved the orangutans a little too much!!!It looks like a jungle here. I could not believe how tropical this place is. Made my heart pitter patter.
Awww. cute tiger
Cute little hippo, and underwater hippos

The Southern Most Ports

Ensenada, Mexico

We had just been to Ensenada 8 months ago. Nope, has not changed a bit. In fact the weather was probably exactly the same. We decided to go see something else this time. We went on a city and Shopping Tour. We went into this old Casino where the old movie stars used to go to gamble before there was Las Vegas. Silly Movie Stars. They told us Al Capone used to hide out there. It was really beautiful and interesting. I loved the gorgeous painted ceiling! We also went to see an old winery. Kinda disappointed that we did not get to see them smashing the grapes with their feet. (hee hee) It actually was a ploy to sell Mexican Wine, and not what we thought it would be at all! Ah well. I did enjoy the city again- but really- I don't have to go for a while!!!!


San Diego, California
San Diego was the only place that I had never been to before. I REALLY really REALLY wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo. I have wanted yo go there for as long as I can remember... and who knew when we would be going again?? I know My Mother in Law wasn't thrilled with the idea- but she was awesome enough to agree! I took a TON of animal pictures...I will probably do just a zoo post so you can skip them if that sounds boring to you! But wow what a gorgeous place. Its like walking through a topical jungle. The gardens are so impressive! It was love at first sight. There was this gorgeous bell music playing from a tower in neighboring Balboa Park. A shot of the San Diego skyline. I would love to take my children and spend a week just in this beautiful city!

Catalina Island, California We had just been here 8 months ago- and again, it looked exactly the same! We decided that after a little shopping (at the most fun store ever! Del Sol) we would take a bus trip into the interior of the island. Catalina is only 22 miles long, and 8 miles wide, but how the interior contrasts the beach front property! We went up curvy, steep, dusty roads in this buss from the '60s. At the top, after seeing buffalo- (brought onto the island for a movie in the '70s) and a fox that can ONLY be found on this island, we made it to the "Airport in the sky." It used to be a water landing only airport... but a landing strip was built and took care of that problem.This tiny airport is how all the goods are brought to the island, and the airport is so small, the biggest plane that can land there is the DS-3. They keep a few in commission JUST FOR Santa Catalina Island. The tour was fascinating- filled with history and old movie-star glamor. Much better that that ridiculous glass bottom boat tour we did last time we were there!!!! I took this funny picture of how Californian's decorate for Halloween! It was really worth the trip.