Wild Anmal Park

Most of the locals remember the “San Diego Zoo Safari Park” by its original name “The Wild Animal Park”. A Google search will take you to the same home page.

aka Wild Animal Park

February is for seniors in San Diego, and entrance to the Wild Animal Park is FREE to seniors all February! Not the $76 required the rest of the year! Our first choice is to ride the tram around the African Savanna exhibit – the tram is included in the admission and will develop long lines later in the day.

Tram is down there

Fran and I are seated on the right side of the tram. Not good as the tram runs in a counter-clockwise direction. The exhibit is enclosed by trench (if San Diego still had water this would be a moat). Inside the moat is a fencing, although it does keep the the display animals in, barbed wire was added to keep the local predators out. Shortly after it opened the local mountain lions enjoyed the buffet.

The pond provides water for the permanent residents and their guests. The White Pelicans are migratory, but why leave?

There are lots of long legged, fast running folks on the Savanna tour.

And some with shorter legs

Some are close, but most are further away.

The balloon ride is not included with admission. It is tethered and only goes up and down.

The little white blobs in the previous photo are these fellas. Their horns are so symmetrical in profile they look like a unicorn!

On TV shows the Savanna appears to be flat grasslands, however here there are some small rolling hills.

After our tram ride, we took one of the switchback trails back up. This allowed us a bit closer view of some of incarcerated animals. Check out the camouflage

The male ostrich picks out the spot where all his harem will lay their eggs.

The flowers/shrubs/trees are all well maintained, I often enjoy them more than the animals.

Ah but what's this?

Gorongo Cycad ???

I'm not sure if he's ugly or cute. But I'm sure he's unique.

Hornbill

I missed the picture of him standing on his hind legs to enjoy a few leaves.

Impala

One of Fran's favorites, an Okapi. A zebra, gazelle or a critter still in his pajamas having breakfast?

Okapi 

Beautiful slim fast critters

Gazelle 

Here's the only gorilla on display. It looks like he's thinking about something.

And my favorite! Two fruitless trips to the Salton Sea searching for the Borrowing Owl, I coulda just visited the Wild Animal Park!

Borrowing Owl

Not only are seniors FREE at the Wild Animal Park, resident seniors also receive discounts in Balboa Park.  I have a signed copy of Coast to Cactus, the San Diego trail guide that updates the Jerry Shad (RIP) 'bible' of local hiking “Afoot and Afield". And The NAT is having a Coast to Cactus exhibit!  So we're off ...

Alongside the museum is the massive Morton Bay Fig. I think the one in Santa Barbara is larger, but this one is huge! It is now protected by a fence. I'm sure kids Kami and Michael were the last generation allowed access to play/climb here.

Nephew Bobby works for the City doing pool/fountain repairs. Nice job Bobby!

The NAT never disappoints.

Four floors of exhibits

However the Coast to Cactus exhibit was a bit under whelming .

We saw a Golden Eagle while hiking in the Ramona Grasslands.  Fran and I both think the Golden Eagle should be our state bird

Golden Eagle

But alas the California Quail, and I do like the quails, has that distinction.

California Quail

Now how cool is this Halloween mask?

Horned Toad

We stopped for tostadas at El Indio on the way home. And that closes out February. Stay tuned for March ...

Valentines Day - camping in Anza Borrego

The San Diego County Parks are raising their amping rates to $45/nite from $38.  With that in mind I booked a couple nights at Agua Caliente on S2 in Anza Borrego.

It’s been a couple decades since we were last here.  Since that time the park has doubled the number of sites and added cabins. But has not added cell service.  If you decide to go be sure to print out any information/maps beforehand.  And no bats this trip!  Last time we had bats!, and staying still they came in close.  So cool!

We headed out on a gray morning with a prediction of RAIN!

The draw of Agua Caliente is of course the hot water.  The outdoor pool (is new to us) maintains the spring temperature of 90+ F.

While the indoor spa is bumped up to a constant 102F.

We had company every morning and evening as this pair of roadrunners had a route they seemed to follow.

Morning heading out

And heading back home

The San Diego County Library has partnered with the County Parks to create Story Book Trails.

pic

Our trail was a variation of the tale of Stone Soup. 

The trail is easy, and welcomes kids of all ages to enjoy the tale.

And Whoopee!!! Rain did come. The first rain in 364 days (a new record) but only measured 0.33” in Borrego Springs.  Not much but any helps!

Valentines Day dawned with clear skies.

For our special lunch we chose Julian over Borrego Springs.  A beautiful rainbow, ensured we made the right choice.

WRONG!  It was 43F, with wind and pouring rain!  At least parking was easy and we walked across the street to the Julian Pie Company for a slice of Cherry Pie and a slice of Boysenberry Apple.  Both good, but Apple Mountain Berry remains the favorite.

We left with dessert, but no lunch.  We stopped at the Farmhouse 78  in Santa Ysable for lunch.  I experimented with the Hog Wild Burger (wild boar) with Apple Kale Slaw.  It must be the Kale, but I spent much of the night in the bathroom!

I don’t want close with that thought.  So here is a nice capture of a SpaceX daytime launch from my neighbor, Michael.

Good shot Vecino!