Signs of Spring

It is strange to come back home after spending a week where the flowers are all out and the trees have leaves. There were not any leaves out and the lawn was still brown when we got home. There were some early spring flowers appearing which at least says that in a few more weeks the landscape will turn green again.

Sea World and home

Friday was the day to visit Sea World. By this time we had  become very familiar with our half hour drive to San Diego and when to leave to avoid any traffic delays. The first thing we did was we walked over toward the stadium for the Shamu show and came across the dolphin encounter. We were right next to the edge and got see the dolphins up close. Shannon even touched it though Payton just wanted to look.

Then it was off to see the killer whales. Sea World had changed a lot since last we had been there. There are just as many rides as there are exhibits which means the number of exhibits has gone down. Even the shows have changed. Some had to because of the accident a few years ago so there is no trainer in the water with the killer whales.

There was a tide pool display area that the kids had a chance to hold sea stars which they really enjoyed. 

The dolphin show was more of a Circa Ole as you say people do just as many stunts as the dolphins.

The sea lion show was just as entertaining as ever though. We even went back at the end to see another show which made fun of all the other Sea World shows.

The Arctic exhibit was also god with the chance to see Beluga Whales. They have a constant smile on their face. It was a full day.















 Saturday was a day to pick up and head home. Our stay at the Welk Resort turned out to be great.

The zoo and another beach day

Wednesday was another park day and this time we went to the San Diego Zoo. It was much more crowded with lines everywhere. We first did a tour of the overall zoo on a bus and from there decided what areas we then walk to.

We saw the leopards, and the red panda and then of course the pandas and finally the polar bears amoung the other animals that day.

 At the end of the day we found ourselves at teh far end of the park and took the air tram back across the zoo to the entrance.






















Before we left I had to have my picture taken in front of the gorilla statue. When I was young we came to the zoo and Dad took my picture in front of this statue. I was not to happy then to stand in front of the statue. It was a little different this time. 


That evening they had a magic show at the resort that was amazing. It left us wondering how they did everything. Shannon and the kids joined us for that show though Payton was ready at intermission to have the show done.

Thursday we split up in the morning and Shannon and the kids went to the beach. After we dropped them off there Cindy and I went to the temple which was about 10 minutes away. After going to the temple we picked up lunch and went back to the beach to have lunch together.

After lunch we drove over to Cabrillo Point to the tide pools along the cliffs and searched from all the tide animals we could see. We did come across some crabs and small fishes. 

We then drove into San Diego to Seaport Village to have some ice cream first. Ben and Jerry's were celebrating their 35th anniversary by giving away free ice cream cones. We and a lot of others took advantage of it that day. Then we wondered around the shops and notice a guy outside the village stacking rocks and asking for money if you took a picture of his project. We then went and had dinner at Anthoneys and watched the sunset over the bay.

Wild Animal Park and the LaJolla

The next two days of the trip we went to two different areas. Monday we went to the Wild Animal Park or as it is now called the Safari Park. It is interesting to think back that we took the kids when they were little to this park when it first opened and now we are taking the grandkids. Back then the boys got to ride an elephant. Not now. We did see a baby gorilla which was interesting.




We went to the Lorakeet  exhibit. If you buy food they will land on your arm and drink. Payton did not want anything to do with that so we just got close to them and let others be there perch.

This time of year they had a butterfly pavilion which had timed tickets so that it would not get over crowded. It was amazing to step into the building and butterflies of all colors and sizes flying everywhere and landing everywhere. Payton did not know what to think about it as she did not want them on her but they sure were attracted to Shannon.

The had a great sand sculpture for the park. It always is amazing what people can do. 

From there we went to the other animal exhibits and shows and enjoyed all the sight and colors and variety of animals. The lions were particularly active. 










At the end of the day they have a cheetah run. It was amazing to see how face they really do run. While I could not get a picture when it was running (it really was fast) they had it walk back down so everyone could see it. Oh yes it has a friend, a dog that it does everything with which is the animal next to it in the pictures.

Tuesday was a day at the beach. We first went over to LaJolla to see if we could see the seals and they were out in force though they had moved more to the rocks than the beach area. The waves were high which made doing anything in the cove impossible and the water was cool. We then went over to the other side of the bay to the beach along with everyone else. Payton loved the sand and did not want anything to do with the water and Connor loved the water and would go crawling into the waves.  We got pretty good sunburns on us but not the kids that day.

That evening Cindy and I went to a Beatles Tribute Band performance at the resort. The resort has its own theater and the concert was really good.