Our Wildlife Safari...

Leslie's visit had been postponed numerous times for a variety of reasons. I was not about to let a foot fracture get in the way of our fun plans.

Thankfully, Steve's calendar was open to help transport me around the San Diego Zoo Safari Park so that Leslie and I could follow through with our exciting itinerary, beginning with a Deluxe Wildlife Safari.
"This 90 minute safari takes you into the Safari Park’s expansive, multi-species savanna habitats for up-close views of wildlife including a variety of birds and mammals. This excursion spends more time in the habitats than the standard Wildlife Safari, for more viewing of wildlife and amazing photo opportunities. Each tour visits multiple habitats representing areas of Africa and/or Asia."

A highlight was hanging out with the Masai giraffes, the largest-bodied giraffe species, making it the tallest land animal on Earth (growing up to 18 feet).





It was extra special to get this close to the Southern White Rhinos.
The cool building, in the background, is where we had lunch reservations, promptly after the safari.
I love this description, "Ambassadors from another age: The rhinoceros looks as though it has lumbered into our time from some primeval era. Its heavyset body stands on sturdy legs like tree trunks. Its eyes peer from a massive head that tapers to that battering ram of a horn. In our imaginations, the rhino is the embodiment of brute strength. Yet most of the time this fearsome creature is content to browse peacefully on vegetation."
"Today, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has the largest crash of rhinos and the most successful managed-care breeding program for rhinos anywhere in the world. The Safari Park holds the record for the most rhinos born in a zoo: 187 from 3 species, including 5 generations of black rhinos and 7 generations of greater one-horned rhinos. One of our youngest calves is a fifth-generation greater one-horned rhino, the first such birth in the world!"

What a delight to actually watch a baby rhino nursing.  Wow! A rhino mother may tend to her calf for up to four years unless she has another baby, in which case she pushes her older calf into independence to make way for the new arrival.





A new favorite might be the Nile lechwe. Native to the floodplains of the Nile River Valley, their sweet heart-shaped noses are endearing.


"Hello up there! Why do so many people look up to giraffes—besides the obvious reason? The long and short of it is that they are a wonderful example of nature’s creativity."
I just find them so incredibly sweet and very calm. Giraffes are one of my top favorite animals.
Did you know? Although a study of giraffe genetics published in the scientific journal Current Biology concluded that there are actually four distinct species of giraffes—said to be as different from each other as polar bears are from brown bears—one is currently recognized, with nine subspecies.

While the 90 minute safari could have gone on longer with all the possibilities for animal ogling, lunch at The Watering Hole was timed perfectly. And my gosh, look at this view.

The service, food, and ambiance were perfect!
Wanting to adventure further, we boarded the African Tram without Steve (he wanted to walk about).

This is a photo of my favorite animal seen from the tour!
Dune, the camel, wished us a happy Hump Day.



We always enjoy ending our day at the gorillas. Leslie needed to meet her namesake, after all. Our timing was great as they were all given snacks which is quite entertaining to watch.
“A good friend is a connection to life —
 a tie to the past, a road to the future,
the key to sanity in a totally insane world.“
-Lois Wyse

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My Recent Reads...

I truly love to read but sometimes that love gets sidelined by life. Lately, however, I'm making up for lost literary time with three entertaining reads. Without revealing too much, I will tantalized you with their reviews and please know I highly recommend each one.

The Golden Spoon, by Jessa Maxwell, is described by #1 New York Times bestselling author, Janet Evanovich as “This delicious combination of Clue and The Great British Bake Off kept me turning the pages all night!” I so agree.
Lessons in Chemistry was deemed to be "My favorite book of last year!" by my friend, Karen (an avid reader). After beginning at #268 on my library's waiting list, my patience paid off. "Every now and again, a first novel appears in a flurry of hype and big-name TV deals, and before the end of the first chapter you do a little air-punch because for once it’s all completely justified. Lessons in Chemistry, by former copywriter Bonnie Garmus, is that rare beast; a polished, funny, thought-provoking story, wearing its research lightly but confidently, and with sentences so stylishly turned it’s hard to believe it’s a debut." -The Guardian

My most recent read hooked me in with the back cover quote by The Washington Post, “If you liked Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, read The Society of Shame by Jane Roper.” It also was proclaimed to be "Absofreakinglutely hilarious" by New York Times bestselling author, Jenna Blum. While I love the adverb absofreakinglutely (and thoroughly enjoyed the book) its satire of social media stardom and internet activism made me a little sad because of its brutal honesty. Though I enjoyed it immensely.

Any suggestions for my next literary adventure?

“Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real.” -Nora Ephron

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Starting Physical Therapy***

My new orthopedist is part of the same medical group as my gym so when Dr. Schultzel recommended Jesus for PT, I was already a huge fan (he does amazing workout classes).

For those new to this blog, I broke my neck in August of 2019 and by the time I was supposed to do physical therapy, COVID was at its zenith. I delayed PT and still regret it almost four years later. But not this time with my fractured foot! I have a very wonderful plan set in motion and a lot of hope.

Who knows, maybe I'll be an even better Me. Fingers crossed.

***I received this comment from my friend, Denise, who IS a physical therapist. "And reading your blog, I don't know the situation, but if your exercise program is done by the kinesiologist/personal trainer please do not call it physical therapy (unless you were evaluated by a PT who set up a treatment plan). It is misleading. A PT has a doctoral degree and is licensed." My PT is definitely Personal Training. I can't do Physical Therapy until I can put weight on my foot. I mislabeled this blog post and I'm thankful that Denise clarified it for me.

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Happy Mother's Day!

Our delightful day was spent celebrating with Steve's Mom. It was leisurely, fun, and very delicious.




Here's wishing you a Mother's Day filled with happy memories made with your Mom (past/current/future). And to those of you who are Mothers, may you feel appreciated and loved. And may your stories be wonderfully unforgettable... today and always.

“But there's a story behind everything.
How a picture got on a wall.
How a scar got on your face.
Sometimes the stories are simple,
and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking.
But behind all your stories is always your mother's story,
because hers is where yours begin.”
― Mitch Albom

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Our Coronado Day...

Our daughter-in-law is a NorCal girl and has never been to the Crown City so to conclude their three week visit, we six climbed into the truck and headed south.

We began with lunch at our favorite eatery, Feast and Fareway. This desirable spot "offers a unique, idyllic setting for locals and visitors to eat, drink and play along the iconic Coronado Golf Course! Completely reconstructed in June 2019, our welcoming interior opens up to the outdoors with massive floor-length windows presenting stunning views of the golf course and Coronado Bridge. Bask in San Diego’s enviable climate on our outdoor patios."


Our second (and final) stop was to get to the sea. "There is a feeling that you come to at Hotel del Coronado (1888). Enveloped by the simple luxuries of sun, sea, and time together, your senses engage, and you’re transported into The Del state of mind."
After touring the historic hotel, we put our toes (and toys) into the warm sand and enjoyed being at the beach. It seemed the perfect end to our perfect family get together.

“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.” ―Walt Whitman

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