Safari Park Birds

After school on Monday Marla invited me to come to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 

We explored for a few hours, focusing on areas we don't usually go to, like the entire African Loop.  

 

This metal sculpture looks like the work of Ricardo Breceda (the artist who made the Anza Borrego sculptures) but I could not verify this.

The Northern ground hornbill is one of the strangest birds I have ever seen. The casque on their bill is made of keratin and is used to amplify their vocalizations. 

Super fun, Mar!  Thanks for the invite.

 

 

Anza Borrego Art

There is more in the desert besides cacti, there is creative, incredible artwork as well. 

The owner of Galleta Meadows in Anza Borrego desert commissioned a local artist to create metal sculptures, all of which can be visited for free on his land.  I thought the art would be difficult to find but they are right on the side of the road. 

 

Both Megan and I had heard of these metal sculptures but today was our first visit. 

What pushed us was the rainy weather in San Diego, we plotted an successful escape.

 

This was taken moments before I was attacked by a jumping cholla (the cacti pictured).  It was quite an event to remove the segment of cactus and the needles from my ankle.  I would have guessed every needle had barbs at the end, but instead it was microscopic scales in the opposite direction of removal. 

The sculptures are based on fossils found in the area. 

The details are absolutely incredible.  They appear as though the artist, Ricardo Breceda from Perris, Ca, actually witnessed these creatures in person. 

 We did not see them all so I am ready to return. 

They are way cooler in person than pictures can show. 

Camping at Carlsbad

Beach camping is the best.  So, it is not exactly like getting back to nature but I have so many fond memories of beach camping as a kid with my sisters that I cannot help but love it.  How cool to be a part of the girls fond memories of beach camping. 

We didn't have the best weather (it sprinkled much of the time) but this did not put a damper on the evening. 

 

My aunt and uncle came to the beach site to do crafts with the girls and make dinner.  Maybe I should be more specific, both relatives came but my aunt brought crafts and dinner... 

Thanks for the dinner and desserts, Aunt Kathy!

The next day we spent the morning at community event in my aunt's neighborhood and got a head start on Halloween.  Super fun!

Elle is 8!!

Elle is one lucky eight year old.

She got to go to the movies with a friend, Sea World, and was showered with presents. 

My dad gave her this sweet pink beach cruiser.

Fred and I got her a tennis racket, pink tennis balls, and a tennis outfit.

 

She is already getting good!!

My dad and Gary came over to join in the 'showering Elle with presents' fun. 

(We won't see them again until they get back from Costa Rica in three weeks!)

Red velvet chocolate chip cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.  SO GOOD!

Marla and I decided that Fred's sugar intake needed to be increased so he got a special cake topping.

 

Happy birthday, Elle!!

I can't believe my niece is EIGHT!! 

Joshua Tree Troubles

Joshua Tree is gorgeous. 

I lucked out and happened to head up on a cooler weekend so heat was not an issue.

I had a purpose.  To see Jessica, meet her new boyfriend,

and keep her mind off of her broken leg. 

While standing in her garden contemplating what to do next she started to turn but she bumped a Joshua tree stump.  Her leg got stuck but her body was still in motion.  A broken tibia and fibula, 9 screws and a plate later, she is on the way to recovery.

She won't be able to walk for a few months but the pain is beginning to subside.  Surprisingly enough she was in great spirits while I was there, even though the main topic of conversation was her leg and the intense discomfort.

Poor Jess!

Even though her leg is broken, it could be worse.  She has a beautiful view, it is cooling down, and her new beau is making life much easier for her (oh, and I hope I helped a little too!).

Elfin and snowballs

I had the girls over for their first sleepover.  It was so much fun, I cannot wait to do it again!

I wanted to take them to Elfin Forest because I thought it would be a great place to escape the heat.

There is almost always running water at the base of the mountain.

We searched for a good spot to swim because the girls didn't like the "allergies" (algae). 

After the stream at Elfin Forest Fred brought us dinner. Chinese food from Yummy Express is always YUMMY!

After dinner we headed to my new favorite shaved ice joint, Baltimore Snowball. 

Ruby got grape, cherry, and cotton candy with vanilla ice cream and Elle got grape, lemon, and orange with vanilla ice cream. 

Believe it or not they were both delicious!

We started the following morning with cartoons on the couch, followed by donuts at my favorite donut shop, Marte's (they melt in your mouth). 

Before heading back to Temecula we walked around on our property a bit.  Ruby insisted on going down a little hill to a fresh water stream (which I didn't really want to do because we were short on time), but I was glad I gave in because Ruby then found a rogue apple tree! 

The apples are super sweet.  I am so happy to know it is there!

I had Marla and Dan meet me at my dad's house because he has been super excited about his newest creation, a mosaic on the front doorstep.

It looks awesome.  No wonder he is so stoked.

Great job Dad!

Okay, now how long do I have to wait before I have my nieces over again!?

Fred is ready to adopt them but I am pretty sure my sister wouldn't go for it.  I suppose we could just throw it out there... 

Surviving ANOTHER mud run!

Marla and I survived the Lake Elsinore 2012 mud run! 

You don't need much for the run, just some clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, a good attitude, and a disposible camera.  Check! 

We are ready to go!

There were five more obstacles this year than last year.   They added an icy mud pool, and various colonies of fire ants (okay, so maybe the fire ants were just an added bonus). 

A 5k is easy when you are having so much fun!  (And not worrying about your time helps too.)

We have fun but it can be dangerous. A guy broke his leg RIGHT in front of us while sliding down the mound of mud seen behind us into a pool of mud.  He had to be rescued by helicopter. 

Oh, but we aren't about to let someone else's misery ruin our good time! 

Okay, bad joke.  Moving on...

This new obstacle made my arms sore! 

You got it Mar!!

The slip and slide is one of the last obstacles, but not your last opportunity to get dirty...

High five, Mar! We did it! 

Until next year Lake Elsinore Mud Run. 

The smelly Lake Elsinore mud is just part of the battle...