Day 2 of Mikey's Excellent Vacation: Photos

This morning we arrived at the zoo just after 9 a.m. (aka, its opening). The CQ was a bit discombobulated as exhibits have changed and the map is different with street names. The signage no longer has the handy-dandy pictograms of the animals guiding you about. Rather one has to refer to the map. And we all know how well the CQ does with map navigation.
Mandatory entrance snapshot: GMK, LLGA, Charlie, and Mikey.
"Wet's go!!"
Classic back-of-heads pose. Ah, the flamingo.
We happen upon a peacock, minding his own biz...
Charlie leapt into Mikey's arms.
Charlie more comfortable with a glass barrier.
Orangutan rolled back and forth in front of Charlie.
Lucy was fascinated...
by feet in the mouth trick.
Who's looking at who (in the zoo)?
It almost seemed like the orang's thought bubble read, "Hey, kid, come back."

Charlie did.

Mike's thought bubble read, "How many photos today?"


How refreshing to realize (after uploading the photos) that Charlie is an Equal-Opportunity Nostril-Explorer.
Fish.
GMK in an aviary.
Lucy was fascinated by the waterfall, if memory serves.

Nothing says interest like a Pretty-Pretty Princess wave.

If you look closely, you can find the panda. 107 steps for this...far more rewarding with optical zoom.
GMK in the panda area. (By the way, the newest little panda was born yesterday -- on Tim's b-day).
LLGA liked the moving sidewalk (30-degree angle, I estimated).
GMK and Mikey--moving sidewalk provided me captive subjects.
Bus tour. Mike initially wanted the top deck, but my SPF-challenged self required the bottom and Mike looked pretty pale himself when he realized that the 2 decks have different-length lines and are not guaranteed to align to the same bus. She Holding LLGA (no strollers allowed) was picking not only a shaded ride, but a short line.
Charlie was so-so on the tour. Fidget, fidget.
After lunch, LLGA enjoyed clutching the souvenir bucket.
The Reptile House is like something out of Harry Potter.
How do you REALLY feel about the ginormous snake?
LLGA in her portable circus tent.
Look at GMK beaming post-gift shop ventures.
Spontaneous walk to the little train.
$2 each (LLGA free) for a 3.5-minute ride.

That smile was worth inhaling fumes. Tip: Sit near the caboose!

GMK was directly behind the engine and the fumes.


All Aboard, and we're off.
Charlie love-love-loved the tunnel.

Then on to the Balboa Park Carousel.

Charlie mounted the tiny, unmoving horse but opted for something more traditional.
He was seeking a seatbelt, I think.
The artwork.





Wanted nothing to do with the animals on the carousel.
One more ride for kids under 7-years of age.
Waiting for a quorum of riders.


The ride was too fast and compact for my camera, giving me reason to seek out a different victim, I mean subject.

Home to meet Tim's bus, start Charlie's therapy, verify status of No Water Day, and give LLGA a teeny-tiny break from her buggy.

Then Tim, Mike, LLGA, and I drove to Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument. Along the drive we saw Fort Rosencrans Cemetary and the Sub Base.

We started at the Tide Pools.
Mikey with the Pacific Ocean.
LLGA on a rock. (I had her leg with one hand and the camera in the other).

Watching the ocean.

Sandstone cliffs...the literature warned of sudden collapse, including risk of fatality. Glad I didn't read the fine print until after our visit.
Tim and Mike are the 2 left-most.


Guiding Tim, schlepping a purse, and hoisting LLGA, we climbed down this terrain.
En route back to the vehicle...lighthouse at top of hill.


Briefest of visits to the official visitors' center.




Climbing in the lighthouse.

Back down...follow that wristband!
The crablets.
Last shot before my camera expired for good. Never fear, we stopped by Target Boutique on the way home and another has been procured so as to not disappoint those following the Castle Tour group.

GMK fetched Greek for dinner. She's threatening violent car-washing of the Odyssey, who is comfortable in her own dust. :-)

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Ben called tonight while Jamie was playing competitive marbles. Jamie did well on his Boy Scout camp-out (within a camp). Very close to finishing his Arrow Of Light requirements. Now just homesick for Lucy-bear. Ben was blowing off "Stargazers" program late tonight in favor of more time in the rack.

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Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment: GMK and Mikey are going to Sea World. GMK will be the Sea World photog. If she brings back 10 photos, I will be duly impressed.