San Diego ~ Wild Animal Park

January 31

Opted for the San Diego Wild Animal Park (sandiegozoo.org) in Escondido instead of the primary zoo in town.  Figured it was something different and we all have been at the wonderful National Zoo so many times. Parts of the zoo are similar to others. But, this guy on the left was the most active animal I've ever seen in a zoo...he apparently wasn't too happy with his companion, stood up, pounded his chest and let out one heck of a sound.


There're lots of educational tools. An open aviary which we all apparently found pretty fascinating.

And a few rides that include a carousel that no one seems to ever get too old for.

But the real difference at Wild Animal Park is the tram ride through an extensive natural habit facility with the known and the more unusual.

We poop out earlier than usual given the pace of the last few days.  We're eating in night.  Grilling mussels... a terrific, easy preparation.  Throw them on, when they open (about 10 minutes), they're done.  Frites, garlic butter, a salad and a baguette are all you need.  Roasting marshmallows is just icing on the cake!

San Diego ~ Seaworld

January 30

Everyone's convinced, particularly Ian, that nothing can equal Legoland....everyone is pleasantly surprised with Seaworld (seaworld.com)!  Even Ian thinks it's "just as much fun, in a different way".

Shamu and friends still have the biggest wow factor!

But there's so much more to do.  A family favorite, believe it or not, is the " petting zoo"!  Ian really gets into this and is not only petting starfish, but feeding the rays fish out of his hand. We all tried it and was rather cool, if not a little bit creepy.

There are some very interesting bird habitats scattered throughout the park.

A few rides, aquariums and a couple of other shows round out the park, but Seaworld is definitely all about the whales.

Kelly and Chip have dinner with old Navy friends in Coronado and the three of us have a fabulous kid's night and cook pizzas on the grill, spend much time in the game room topped off with ice cream from the snack shop. 

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is tomorrow's outing.

San Diego ~ The Kids Arrive & The Party Starts ~ Legoland

January 28 ~ 29

Today  is Kelly's birthday and greeting them all at the airport is a very joyous moment!  We've missed them so. We settle Kelly and Chip in at the hotel and we head back to Tor with Ian who has happily decided he wants to stay with us.  We'll have a big time five day sleep-over!

We're having dinner at Karl Strauss (karlstrauss.com) a brew pub where Kelly and Chip first met nearly 15 years ago. The trip down memory lane is fun for everyone....and I'd highly recomment the black garlic fondue appetizer!

It's early to bed for all of them due to the time change and with great anticipation for Legoland (legoland.com) in Carlsbad tomorrow.

Ian is so excited, he's jumping out of his socks!  Turns out he's not the only one who loves it...this is one terrific place for everyone!  It's largely an amusement park with rides that suit most everyone.

 The park is full of large scale Lego figures which are adorable.

What the adults find most fascinating is the recreation of pretty much all the major cities in the world...all in Legos. "Visiting" DC, our favorite is along the canal in Georgetown, the last inauguration, complete with the Obama family riding around in a car and the monuments.

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And some of our favorite places in NY.

Rick's been champing at the bit to take Ian to Mindstorms, a building in the park devoted to Lego robots and offering a 45 minute class for kids in programming. 

Ian loves it and proves a  natural programming his robot to follow a specific path, pick up barrels and place them on a shelf.  He shouts "My calculations proved correct!" The proud grandfather is just beaming!

We're there 'til closing and are all a bit exhuasted. And we need to gear up for Seaworld tomorrow!