Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!

WARNING: This quite possibly may be the longest blog entry EVER!!! Consider yourself properly warned.

Last time we were in So Cal, we spent a day in San Diego. We had a fun time visiting Sea World, but wanted to do so much more. We were determined to spend more time in paradise this time around and we did! We spent four days and three nights in the wonderful area of San Diego. Contrary to what you may have heard from a certain San Diego news anchor man from the 70's, San Diego was not discovered by the Germans in 1904 and I am certain San Diego translates to Saint Diego after Diego de Alcala. I am also certain that we love this area! There is so much to do beyond the world class San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Here are a few pics with narratives.

On our way to San Diego, we stopped in Oceanside to let Leah experience the ocean. It was her second trip to the ocean though the first time she was three months. She is so much more understanding of what is going around her and thus appreciative for the new experiences.

Of course, one of her favorite things is being naked! This made the switch into the swim suit a little more fun for her.

Here is Sarah with Leah at the shower trying to get rid of all the sand.

Me and my little Wahine!

Leah does not like sand! She is not really a clean freak, but she just couldn't accept all this stuff stuck to her everywhere.

I love the ocean so so so much. It was so fun to let Leah experience it...even if it was only for a short time.

Daddy/Daughter footprints in the sand.

I have not spent much time at this beach, but it was nice, clean, uncrowded and very accessible. It had some good 3-4 foot sets that made me wish I was longboarding.

My little Wahine and her Hot Mama!

Leah loved the water and waves at first until a rogue wave hit us when we had our back turned and was not paying attention. I think she was mostly frightened by Sarah's startling scream. Sarah was out next to us, but managed to keep the camera dry. Good job, babe!

She still liked the waves after that, but her laugh was not as joyful and free as before. From that point on, her laugh had a funny nervous sound whenever she saw a wave coming. She is a bright little girl.

I love this little girl!

I love this girl too! We had planned on hitting the temple while we were in San Diego, but my Mum was unable to get away from work to babysit down there. So this was our visit at 65 miles per hour on the I-5.

We also visited Sea Port Village while we were there. They have some nice shops and Sarah likes to get some Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream when we are there. I had a good Greek Gyro.

They have a carousel there that has been around since 1895. Leah loved it and wanted to go again!

She is a brave little girl.

I love the Spanish influenced architecture and design of Southern California. From the white stucco to the talavera tiles. Unique to only a few areas.

Would I?! PEG LEG! PEG LEG!

They have a funny hat store there that is fun for picture taking.

"Houston, we have a cute baby!"

Imperial Beach, CA. Bishop Rich called me right as we walked onto this beach. I like him and I like talking to him, but is there a better place to do so? I submit there is probably not many.

We drove to Coronado Island to visit the old hotel. We had lunch there and I was annoyed the rest of the day! Food is a big part of our travels and I don't mind spending money on food. We typically visit new restaurants and budget the greater part of our expenses for food. However, I am also Scottish and prefer to be more frugal with my money, so....when I paid $31 for two hot dogs, two bags of chips and two cokes, it really irritated me.

Hotel Del Coronado or "The Hotel Del". Established in the 1880's (I think)

It is a unique and beautiful hotel with creative architecture that has itself become it's greatest marketing tool.

Like I said, we like to eat when we travel. We have dined at some great spots, not so great spots, okay spots and horrible spots. If you are ever in the San Diego area, you have to have breakfast as The Hash House A Go-Go. This place has been featured on many cooking and traveling shows such as "Man Versus Food" and "Best Thing I Ever Ate". It is a MUST!

This picture does not do this pancake justice. This flapjack has about a hole bag of chocolate chips in it and a few strawberries as well. It was HUGE!

This was my corned beef hash skillet. The biscuit alone weighed about a pound! The jelly was so good too! It needed more fresh Rosemary though...KIDDING!

Leah loves laminated menus. Funny, huh?

We had to wait for about 45 minutes to get a seat for breakfast at 11am and there were several people waiting outside. After a small walk we let Leah pretend like she was driving.

After taking our left overs to our hotel we headed to Sea World! BTW ~ if staying in San Diego, we prefer one of the smaller, older and more personal boutique style hotels on Shelter Island. There are only four hotels there, and we have visited three of them; the Kona Kai, The Half Moon Inn and the Island Palms. You can usually get good rates at one of these.

Sarah LOVES the stingrays. She loved petting them this time as there was no one there. Last time it was so crowded. This time there was no one there.

Leah liked the sea lions. I think they liked her too.

She really enjoyed the Beluga Whales. from above and below.

She played a little bit in the kids playland at Sea World.

More eating! We went to McCormick and Schmick's in the Gaslamp Quarter. It was good, but a bit disappointing compared to their restaurant I frequented in Kansas City, MO. Sarah still enjoyed the Chocolate Box.

Leah was really good at the restaurant. It is a gamble taking her to nice places. Her new friend the zebra kept her company. She calls it "Dedah".

Leah loves Mac and Cheese. Whether it is $.50 for a whole box or $8.95 for a small bowl!

She loved watching the meer cats

We saw lots of animals. This one is trying to scare Leah!

We saw lions, tigers and LOTS OF BEARS!!! This is a rare sighting of a Sarah Bear!

Leah, don't bite that! That is gross!

Leah liked the petting zoo. You would think a huge zoo like the San Diego Zoo wold have a good petting zoo, but it was rather pathetic. Just a bunch of fat goats.

Leah on a Galapagos Tortoise.

Just a couple monkeys hanging around.

On the Skyfari ride.

This ride saved my feet from walking all the way back up to the entrance!

Panda Bear

Brown Bear

Polar Bear

Koala Bear

I love animals, but I think I have learned I am not much of a zoo or aquarium person. At least not for the cost. I would rather see the animals in the wild. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy watching Leah experience the animals.

I am sure that Leah's favorite part of this vacation and every vacation yet to happen was and will forever be, swimming!

I had her go under the water a few times. Each time she did not take in any water. She is good.

More food. This is some island food from Kealani's in Oceanside.

It was a great vacation. We all learned a lot. I learned that my belly is good for something!

These are Sun Bears. They are smaller, more playful and they all have a patch of lighter fur shaped like a sun on their chests.