More backstage at the zoo

Did I fail to mention that the "backstage pass" came with our own paparazzi?

I really think the Cheeta is giving me the evil eye here...or maybe its Eric. Whomever it was, there wasn't much getting by this cheeta.

Petting the handsome rhinos.

Flamingo feeding

More flamingo feeding.

Red Kangaroo - I couldn't believe how soft these critters were - incredible!

More fun with the Rhinos

yikes. Hand sanitizer was also provided!

Long eared kitty, also a magnicifent creature.

While the zoo does a fantastic job with their animal ambassadors and with conservation of critters, nothing was more breathtaking on our trip than to have the dolphins jumping near our kayaks in their own wild habitat, where I was an intruder on their waves. I wish I had taken my paparazzi so I could share that as well.

Spring Break

Tess has been wanting to see the ocean. So over spring break we loaded up on a big jet plane and headed south and west to see the ocean in San Diego. We went to the San Diego Zoo. We went on a "backstage pass" tour where we got to pet, feed and see animals up close. Brushing the rhinos. They love this...almost as much as alfalfa cubes.

Cheetah with his golden retriever friend. Some of the ambassador animals are raised with dogs so that they won't be so nervous in crowds. It must work since we didn't get eaten.

We had to go behind this zebra's exhibit to get to another and he couldn't resist coming to see what we were up to.

We were feeding flamingos! Did you know flamingos eat dog food soaked in water.

Here is Tess feeding one.

We got to howl with this Artic wolf. Their sound is haunting, even in a zoo, I can't imagine hearing one in the wild. He was also incredibly big.

Not only did Tess get to see the ocean, she got to go sea kayaking in La Jolla. Eric had I had such a good time doing this in Sept we went back with Tess. Eric and Tess rode in a two man kayak and mom took a single. The waves weren't too bad and the tide was low enough that we could go into some of the sea caves. But the highlight was there were three dolphins swimming nearby, and they came about 25 yards from us. Spectacular! Tess wasn't so sure at first, but she ended up having a great time. She was outfitted in two wetsuits, and got her own paddle.

Of course we saw Shamu!

At Seaworld we also had a penguin back stage pass. Here we got to see the penguin exhibit up close. It seemed like there were a bazillion penguins in all shapes and sizes.

We also got to pet a penguin. Tess knew that this was a macaroni penguin, she must've learned that in school because her folks are penguin illiterate.

Our hotel was downtown right on the ocean so Tess got to walk along the piers and see the USS Midway and other boats and ships.

If you ask Tess what her favorite part was she says "All of it, silly!"

That must be the sign of a good trip.