HAERR TRIPPIN': January 2025

Another Trip to the Safari Park!

Since arriving last Sunday, we have hit the ground running with our younger son and his little family.

Today, we left the men at home working while we explored the Park with the little ones. Since I can't share them with you, I'm sure you can picture how much fun we all had on this, the last day of January!

We began on the colorful Conservation Carousel which features 60 ride elements to choose from, many depicting rare and endangered wildlife.

For the best view of the most animals, we boarded the Africa Tram for an exciting expedition, with safari tour vehicles and a diverse wildlife creating a relaxing adventure. The path traversed some of the savanna habitats, giving us a chance to connect with wildlife on a closer level. Our guide, Sofie, was the best I've had in the all the years we've been coming here. I love that each tram ride offers different perspectives and animal facts... plus the 25-minute ride really is a relaxing adventure.

What perfect timing! We were invited to "Celebrate International Zebra Day at the Safari Park. Join us on-grounds to learn how you can help support Grevy's zebra conservation efforts in Kenya while learning pinstripe pony fun facts from our team of wildlife care experts." It's always good to learn something new. Did you know that a group of Zebras is called a Dazzle? I love that!

Lunch was at the always delightful Watering Hole Restaurant.

Like the African Tram narration, the Journey into the Wild show is different each time we see it. Wildlife Care Specialists introduced us to animal ambassadors representing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s worldwide conservation work. We learned about amazing wildlife—from South America's Amazon and right here in our own backyard—and we were taught what can do to be good stewards of the planet and help conserve wildlife.

We spent a lot of time at Kangaroo Walk in Walkabout Australia, strolling among western gray kangaroos in their grassland habitat. We even eyed Everest, an albino wallaby. Only about one in 100,000 wallabies have the genetic trait for albinism and this rare guy is absolutely adorable.

What a perfect parting shot. The gorillas always leave me happy!

It was the second day this week where we clocked a lot of miles. My little grands have been trained to walk distances without complaints. This grandma could barely keep up. What a fantastic day!

posted under | 0 Comments

Kissed by a Walrus and MORE!

Our third visit to SeaWorld was one that was the most unique.

Both sons and their families were promised a day at our new favorite park. Today was spent with our younger son and his sweet family. We could not have chosen a better day, one of no crowds, warm sunshine, and unforgettable opportunities.

We were given the very incredible pinch me opportunity to go behind-the-scenes for three once-in-a-lifetime up-close encounters. The first being with this big guy, Dozer.

"Come face-to-whiskers with one of the largest members of the pinniped family, the walrus. During this one-of-a-kind experience, an animal care specialist will teach you about each walrus, their unique personalities, and how they are cared for each day."

Walruses inhabit the Arctic Sea, both Pacific and Atlantic. Most walruses live where the air temperature is about 5° to 41°F. They are very distinctive having a large body that is usually reddish-brown in color. On their head region, walruses lack external ear flaps, have hundreds of short, vibrissae (whiskers) and possess large tusks. They feed mostly on clams, but also enjoy sea snails, sea cucumbers, squids, and crabs.

We were given the opportunity to actually feed Dozer and truly get up-close.

Yes, he was a true gentleman and kissed my hand. The suction from the kiss is really difficult to describe. I'm so glad I didn't miss this.

We were all so surprised at his sweet disposition. We learned so much.

Next we found ourselves in the Beluga habitat with the gentle Oliver. Not only did we get to feed and pet him but my granddaughter was taught commands that showcased his many talents... one of which was quacking just like a duck. Magical.

Beluga whales are entirely arctic and subarctic. They inhabit the Arctic Ocean and its adjoining seas. During certain times of the year they are also found in large rivers. A beluga’s melon is a rounded structure on the dorsal surface of a whale's head, just in front of the blowhole. The melon probably facilitates sound production. It changes shape when the whale is producing sounds. Aside from the narwhal (another arctic species), beluga whales are the only other member of the Monodontidae whale family.

Our final up-close encounter was at the Wild Arctic home to playful southern sea otters rescued and rehabilitated by the team at SeaWorld. The California population of sea otters is less than 2,800 animals and is listed as Threatened by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. SeaWorld has a long history of helping otters in distress. These sea otters were initially stranded and rescued as part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Research and Conservation program.

California sea otters are found exclusively along the coast of central California. Lacking an insulating blubber layer, these otters are covered in dense, luxurious fur that keeps them warm. In fact, they have the densest fur of any mammal with up to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch. Playful and adorable... the perfect intimate encounter conclusion.

We paused briefly for a manicure at Explorer’s Reef, a series of touch pools. I so wanted to take my boots off and get a pedicure, too, but the Animal Care Ambassador said no!

I am always intrigued by the sharks and what a better way to experience them than being surrounded. What a rare, fascinating, up-close look at prehistoric predators whose ancestors dominated the sea more than a hundred million years before dinosaurs walked the earth.

A first for me was a visit to Turtle Reef. WOW.

Various species of sea turtles are found in warm and temperate seas throughout the world. Six of the seven species of sea turtles found in the world are classified as threatened or endangered, mostly due to human actions such as entanglement, coastal development and pollution. Adults of most species are found in shallow, coastal waters, bays, lagoons, and estuaries. Some also venture into the open sea. Juveniles of some species may be found in bays and estuaries, as well as at sea. The largest sea turtle is the leatherback, which can grow up to six feet long.

We ended our day at the Orca Encounter to "connect in a whole new way with the ocean's most powerful predator. See orcas in the first experience of its kind. Dive deeper into the orcas masterful hunting techniques and complex communication codes. Learn about the role of family, the importance of play and what we learn from the whales in our care every day is actively helping whales in the wild survive. Witness natural orca behaviors while an expansive infinity screen brings their story to life. Leave with a deeper connection to one of the sea’s mightiest, most magnificent animals."

We were at the park for 7 hours, walking 5.57 miles (which is astonishing for a 3 and 5 year old). We went on every ride where the height requirement was met... multiple times. Steve and his boy rode amazing rollercoasters and ended up hoarse from all the screaming. We saw every show and visited most of the exhibits. We did all we could do in the time that we had. It was a truly perfect first visit for our daughter-in-law and our grandchildren. I'm really loving SeaWorld.

posted under | 0 Comments

"Soup You Can Suck On"?

Most people know the online game Wordle. I've been playing almost since it was first launched in 2021. Most do not know about Phoodle... the Wordle for food lovers.

Phoodle is a daily online word game modeled after Wordle (like so many other spinoffs) but focused entirely on food. Cookbook author Julie Loria, the brains behind the game, announced its launch on her Instagram just one year after Wordle's arrival but it wasn't until much later that I was introduced to it by my 'foodie' friend, Erin.

Sometimes the Phoodle solutions are words that totally intrigue. Today was one such word, DROPS. Once the puzzle is solved, a FACT about the word appears. This one just had to be shared. "Progresso's Soup Drops are chicken noodle-flavored hard candies that capture the essence of their classic Chicken Noodle Soup, resembling cough drops and arriving just in time for cold and flu season, offering a spoon-free way to enjoy soup or, as the brand calls it, 'soup you can suck on'."

According to MC Comings, VP, Business Unit Director, General Mills, "For decades, Progresso Soup has brought you cozy comfort on chilly days or when you’re under the weather. When you’re sick, nothing is truly more reassuring than Chicken Noodle Soup. So, we thought, why stop at the soup bowl? We took the beloved flavors of our Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup and packed them into a fun, savory candy Soup Drop for a totally new way to enjoy the taste you love whenever and wherever you want."

"While this new savory hard candy may be a first for the brand, it will have soup fans feeling like they just slurped a spoonful of Progresso’s iconic Chicken Noodle Soup that they know and love. That favorite flavor is packed into each drop — it’s like broth, savory veggies, chicken, soft egg noodles and a hint of parsley have all been stirred up in a surprising way that’s sure to wow your taste buds. And the best part is you can enjoy Soup Drops anywhere — in the carpool line, during a grocery run, while folding laundry, sitting at the doctor's office or hiding out under the covers. The coziness you crave is just one Drop away!"

As it turns out, January is National Soup Month. Thanks to Phoodle, I now have another 'holiday' to celebrate! It seems like these DROPS are a hit. Fun stuff!

posted under | 1 Comments

Oceanside with Tahoe Friends!

Our Tahoe friends Jeff and Janet are thawing in SoCal for a couple of weeks and we were all able to find time to connect for a day of camaraderie in the beauty that is a beach town.

We began with coffee at Pannikin which has the distinction of being located in one of my favorite buildings in town, the Bunker House. First owned in 1886 by Theodore C. Bunker, this two-story building is one of the first brick buildings in Oceanside and one of three brick buildings built in the 1880s which are still standing. It has an interesting history found here.

After catching up and fueling up we headed to OMA West, the Annex Gallery of Oceanside Museum of Art. It is located inside the Seabird Resort. The hidden to most people, the gallery is on the ground floor towards the back of the building, accessed through the front of the hotel. It is one of our favorite places to take people because it is such a treasure once you've discovered it.

We were there for the new exhibit Stitched and Forged: The Art of Kelly Witmer and Mônica Lóss.

"This exhibition brings together the works of Kelly Witmer and Mônica Lóss, two artists whose diverse backgrounds and unique approaches to art offer a rich dialogue on contemporary practices. Both artists, though hailing from different parts of the world, share a commitment to exploring the intersections of culture, environment, and personal expression, and engage in a compelling conversation between metal and textile mediums."

"When brought together in this exhibition, metal and textile do more than simply contrast; they engage in a dynamic interplay. Their combination reflects the interconnectedness of various artistic traditions and materials, blurring the lines between the industrial and the domestic, the rigid and the pliable, the masculine and the feminine. This fusion becomes a rich visual and tactile conversation, illustrating how art can transcend cultural and material boundaries, speaking to a universal language of creation and expression."