Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
San Diego Zoo
I was invited to speak at the Biophysical Society Meeting in San Diego. The meeting was OK, but I snuck away for a couple hours one afternoon to visit the San Diego Zoo. It was a real blast from the past. We used to live in the San Diego area when the boys were small. Even though we have been gone 12 years I still felt like it was only yesterday when we we would push the boys around that zoo in the double stroller. Beautiful zoo, nice day. And with lots of glass enclosures, You can get very close to the animals. The highlight of the zoo is probably the pandas. They have 3 and a very successful breading program.
I love the colorful plants and even flowers that are to be seen at the zoo in late winter.
This orangutang was interacting with some young children. Right up against the glass. Its tough to get a nice picture without much reflection.
The same is true for the gorillas. They were right up against the glass. Felt like part of the group.
You could tell they were looking right back at you.
Overall they looked a bit bored.
Another neat area was the polar bear plunge. This bear was beautiful.
For lunch one day I grabbed a sandwich and went to a park where they have an aircraft carrier that has been converted into a museum. They have converted the famous return from war picture into a giant color statue. It was very interesting.
I love the colorful plants and even flowers that are to be seen at the zoo in late winter.
This orangutang was interacting with some young children. Right up against the glass. Its tough to get a nice picture without much reflection.
The same is true for the gorillas. They were right up against the glass. Felt like part of the group.
You could tell they were looking right back at you.
Overall they looked a bit bored.
Another neat area was the polar bear plunge. This bear was beautiful.
For lunch one day I grabbed a sandwich and went to a park where they have an aircraft carrier that has been converted into a museum. They have converted the famous return from war picture into a giant color statue. It was very interesting.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
First Real Snow of the Winter
Only About 8 inches. So beautiful before it gets dirty (or melts).
In a couple days it started to melt. I like the way it showed the pattern of the bluestone in the patio. THe stone appears to be a better conductor of heat.
In a couple days it started to melt. I like the way it showed the pattern of the bluestone in the patio. THe stone appears to be a better conductor of heat.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Rose Parade
Over the years we had enjoyed the Rose Parade on TV on the morning of New Years Day. This year it was on the 2nd because the 1st was on a sunday. So we decided to go and see it live. I have to say it was better than I was expecting and my expectations were high. Colors were amazing and we were very close. It starts early so we had to be on the road by 5:30. We found a reasonable place to park and were in our seats by 7am. Parade started at 8am, it was a sunshiny day, and we had great seats. Everyone had a wonderful time. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
At the end of the parade there was an Occupy Wall Street parade/protest. Classic California circus. I really do miss certain things about California.
At the end of the parade there was an Occupy Wall Street parade/protest. Classic California circus. I really do miss certain things about California.
Disneyland California Adventure
Over a decade ago we were lucky enough to visit California Adventure during its soft opening. It was so neat to be amongst the first in the new park. There have been a lot of changes since then and the park has a bunch of fun rides and attractions. But its still not Disneyland, nor will it ever be. But it is wonderful to move between the parks during the day with a hopper pass.
The park was decorated for Christmas. Ornaments seem monstrous in A Bugs Land.
Like for Disneyland blog, this year we are listing our top 10 favorite things from our time spent at the California Adventure. Lots of construction going on and Cars Land will open this summer. Should be the highlight of our next visit.
10. Turkey Legs - Actually, the best value in the parks. Bart, Diane, and I share one and its filling for all 3. Also tastes great.
9. ElecTRONica - The boys like playing games in the 80's era arcade. A blast from the past for me.
8. Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin' Dance Party - We like to watch the Disney Channel on our trips and Phineas and Ferb is one of our favorites. It was fun to see the characters in real life.
7. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! - is fun and typically without a line in the evening.
6. Ariel's Undersea Adventure - New rides are always fun. This one is very well done and state of the art.
5. Tower of Terror - One of our favorites. And Alex is no longer worried about getting stuck in the Twilight Zone.
4. California Screaming - Best coaster in the parks. Fast and Fun! Diane and I sat in the front seats and acted as the wind breakers for the ride. Being in wind of the front seats did fun things to Diane's hair after a ride in the fog on New Years Eve. The fog clearly fogged up her glasses.
3. World of Color - Simply fantastic display of color using water as a template. We watched the show twice.
2. Midway Mania - Great game that has evolved into a serious family competition. I am glad to report that this year I beat Bart 3-2 to be the current family champion.
1. Soarin' Over California - I just love this ride, which is a hang glider simulation. Stimulates all you senses. Fate, and walking over to the other park for a fast pass on a regular basis allowed us to enjoy it this year to the fullest.
The park was decorated for Christmas. Ornaments seem monstrous in A Bugs Land.
Like for Disneyland blog, this year we are listing our top 10 favorite things from our time spent at the California Adventure. Lots of construction going on and Cars Land will open this summer. Should be the highlight of our next visit.
10. Turkey Legs - Actually, the best value in the parks. Bart, Diane, and I share one and its filling for all 3. Also tastes great.
9. ElecTRONica - The boys like playing games in the 80's era arcade. A blast from the past for me.
8. Phineas and Ferb's Rockin' Rollin' Dance Party - We like to watch the Disney Channel on our trips and Phineas and Ferb is one of our favorites. It was fun to see the characters in real life.
7. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! - is fun and typically without a line in the evening.
6. Ariel's Undersea Adventure - New rides are always fun. This one is very well done and state of the art.
5. Tower of Terror - One of our favorites. And Alex is no longer worried about getting stuck in the Twilight Zone.
4. California Screaming - Best coaster in the parks. Fast and Fun! Diane and I sat in the front seats and acted as the wind breakers for the ride. Being in wind of the front seats did fun things to Diane's hair after a ride in the fog on New Years Eve. The fog clearly fogged up her glasses.
3. World of Color - Simply fantastic display of color using water as a template. We watched the show twice.
2. Midway Mania - Great game that has evolved into a serious family competition. I am glad to report that this year I beat Bart 3-2 to be the current family champion.
1. Soarin' Over California - I just love this ride, which is a hang glider simulation. Stimulates all you senses. Fate, and walking over to the other park for a fast pass on a regular basis allowed us to enjoy it this year to the fullest.
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