Zoo - The San Diego One

 

 In general, I try and stay away from typical "Zoos". Something about animals being caged for the enjoyment of humans just seems wrong. However, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is the exception to the rule. Their Mission says it all:

"San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to saving species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature."

The San Diego Zoo gives back, does research and has been key in helping certain species survive. To learn more about the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance by visiting their website HERE

 

My love for the San Diego Zoo started when I was a child and living in California.  Visits to the Zoo were always a special treat made once a year when my Grandparents came to visit.

 

I don't remember to much about these visits, but I do remember the flamingos. The exhibit may have changed, but these graceful pink feathered friends can still be found greeting incoming guests as they enter the park.

Let's do a walk around... 

 

A Gorilla and her little one

 

 

 

 Satu, the orangutan

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to see the Giant Pandas Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu before they returned to China in 2019.

 

 

 

 Playful statuesque giraffes...

 

 

 

...and cute tiny little antelopes

 

 

Finally, the most popular attraction of the Zoo, the Koala Habitat. I have to admit, I spent quite awhile watching this guy(or gal) munching leaves from the Eucalypt tree.

 

 

 I understand the need for wildlife habitats and Zoos, and although I avoid most all other animal parks. There is something nostalgic that still draws me to the San Diego Zoo.

 

 

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FFF - Let's Go Out and Wander

 

Pick a direction, which way should we go?

Will there be sunshine or will there be snow?

Will we go where the trees cover the land?

or head to the coast, where the sea meets the sand?

It doesn't matter say we, where we end up

As long as we're together, along with our pup(s).

Life is too short to sit home and ponder

Let's get in CeCe and go out and wander!

 Make sure to visit YAM HERE for more posts and HERE to get the 2021 rules then join in the FFF fun!!

YOLO-You Only Live Once

 

YOLO(you only live once) All the cool kids are saying it, and hey, it fits in for the Y of things today. As we come out of the "year of discontent", let's remember not to take the small things for granted. We only live this life once, and I am trying to remember to get out and live it.

 

Get up and watch the sunrise. You don't have to be on a tropical beach to do it.  Your back porch, your living room window, standing on your sidewalk also are a beautiful setting. The beauty and promise of a new day is always something to celebrate.

 

 

Appreciate the feel of the sun on your face. Especially if you live in a climate that sees plenty of rain, like mine.  Enjoy the warmth of the sun when it appears.

 

 

 When you can, get out and enjoy the outside. Take a hike, sit on a bench in a park or just look out the window. There is so much beauty out there we take for granted.

  

 

 Look for the small things to appreciate. A bird flying by, a squirrel on a rock....

 

 

...or the Spring wildflowers around the neighborhood.

 

 

 If possible, take the road less traveled. It's possible that is where you have the biggest adventure.

 

 As life comes at us at full force, I am doing my best not to let it pass me by. 2020, although one of the slowest years, also sped by with so many adventures canceled, or put on hold.

 

 

 

 

This year, I am going to do my best to mask up, stay clear of others and not let the sun go down on another year without adventure. I hope some of you will try and do the same.

 

The Xtra-Terrestials in Roswell, NM

 

Surrounded by alien myths and conspiracy theories,  Roswell had always been on my list of places to explore. It turns out it is a perfect stop over when road tripping to my family in Texas. This gave me a chance to see what kind of extraterrestrials I could find!

 

 Driving south on 285 towards Roswell is where I captured this passing storm. What do you think, could it be hiding a spaceship?

 

 

 Roswell is a medium size town, and looks like many other towns in New Mexico, with one exception....

 

 Extraterrestrials can be found everywhere!

 

 

 Murals on every street corner

 

 

 

 Wooden Alien Carvings

 

 

 Here is a metal sculpture of the "Crashed Alien Ship" that began the Roswell UFO Incident. Funny, the actual crash site was about 75 miles Northwest of Roswell, luckily the debris was handled by the Roswell Army Air Field or Roswell could have turned out to be a very different town.

 

 

 

 From grocery stores to local hotels, you can find little green men everywhere!

 

 

 

 The town thrives on tourist trade. They hold an Annual Alien Fest and even have an UFO Museum!

 

 

 Just make sure to keep close tabs on your family, or they may be abducted by extraterrestrials!!

 

 

 

 

A Wisconsin Summer Day

My husband's family hails from midwest and we have spent a few Christmas's visiting during the Winter months. Although snowy cold Wisconsin can be beautiful in its own rite, there is nothing quite like Summers in Wisconsin. 

 

 

Farms dotted the landscape as we drove to our destination. Corn almost as high as an elephant's eyes, or any crop we saw, could be found with beautiful red barns and silos.

 

 

 

 

I close my eyes and I can hear the cicadas and frogs singing their evening song in this pond outside our little vacation lodge.

 

 

 

 

Soft summer breezes and the wonderful smell of fresh earth accompanied us on our daily hikes.

 

 

 

 Let's not forget the little things, like this little Fairy Home disguised as a mushroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It really was amazing finding so many interesting mushrooms...

 

 

 

 Oh my, and the flowers! Such stunning fields of summer wildflowers!

 

 

 

 Where there are flowers, you know butterflies can't be far behind!

 

 

 

Summer days in Wisconsin bring back such wonderful memories, blue skies, long meandering walks in the fresh air, and sunsets over the wildflowers. I can't wait to visit again!

 

 

 

 

Vegas Baby!

 

Vegas is another destination I didn't discover until later in life, but once I did it is hard to keep me away!

 

 

2020 is the first year  we haven't visited Sin City in almost 20 years, so I have quite the collection of photos. Did I forget to mention, I really don't gamble much when we go to Vegas. I do, however, love to wander the casinos and see them "thru my looking glass", so to speak.

Don't get me wrong, I love the tourist shots. The NYNY casino is one of my favorites.

The Paris Casino at night is another must see!

 

 The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio Casino is always a colorful destination.

 

 Their themes change with the seasons, but their Autumn displays are a favorite of mine.

 

 

 

 

 But my favorite way to experience Las Vegas is to wake up at sunrise to roam the casinos as the sun starts shining in their windows.

 

 

 

 

 

 Enjoying the rare silence before the rest of the tourists start their day is like seeing a different side of the glitz and glam that is usually Las Vegas.

 

 

 

 Plus, when else could I take pictures of the elegant bathrooms in some of the casinos without getting a few strange looks.
 

 

 

Remember, when you plan your trip to Las Vegas, enjoy that glitz but look for the artistic mixed in with the glam.