Roar & Snore: Day 1...

I have always wanted to camp out at the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park but only for an 'Adults Only' event. When I suggested it to Karen, who has only been on a family night, she was in.

On the way to the Park is the idyllic Orfila Winery. Since check in wasn't until 4:15 PM, and we were eager to start our night, we met here.

This description of tonight's Roar & Snore sold me: "Discover the secret lives of animals through the kind of information we can only share with no children around! Special behind-the-scenes moments, evening hikes, and face time with critters fierce and friendly add a whole new meaning to the term nightlife."

And how amazing are the views from our campground?

While we were waiting for our luggage to be delivered, we were introduce to this skink. Interesting stuff!

Dinner far exceeded expectations: delicious chicken in a cream sauce, quinoa & wild rice, various mini squash, mashed potatoes, bean salsa and a green salad. Wow.

Karen was willing to join budget-minded me in a Classic Tent. It is their traditional camping tent which is suitable for up to five campers (so spacious for just us two).

It had a 9 x 14 foot interior, a traditional vinyl-covered tent floor and sleeping bag pads for five which meant we got some extra cush! It was perfect.

After dinner, we went on a walking tour with the first stop being an echidna encounter.

The echidna (ih-KID-na), or spiny anteater, is an unusual mammal. It is so different from any other that it still puzzles researchers and scientists. The echidna has remained unchanged since prehistoric times, finding ways to survive while other species became extinct. But what really sets the echidna apart from other mammals? Female echidnas lay eggs! Egg-laying mammals are called monotremes. There are only three monotremes in the world: the long-beaked echidna, short-beaked echidna, and duck-billed platypus. AND we got to pet one. Very, very cool!

Our small group of 20 then strolled over to the Elephants, which never fail to delight.

Oh man, I do love baby elephants.

It was then back to camp for some s'mores. It has been about a decade since my last encounter with this treat consisting of a toasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate placed between two pieces of graham cracker... cue the drool.

Creatures of the night were evident everywhere.

The evening ended with a true highlight... we had the unique opportunity to look behind the scenes at Tiger Trail and to learn how the Park cares for their magnificent tigers.

Our adventure included a walk through Tiger Trail. The tiger is one of the world’s most revered animals, a symbol of power, strength, and regal dignity. It has come to represent the essence of wildness itself. Rare and elusive, few have seen a tiger up close. At the Safari Park’s Tiger Trail, we were transported deep within the forests of Sumatra and into the realm of these majestic big cats (and in the dark, no less).