The light at the end of the tunnel. We had to bear the desert for a few more hours but then we began to see signs of hope-- signs indicating just how close we were to the west coast. There was something almost nauseating about thinking that we had just driven from the east coast all the way over to the west coast, but at the same time, it felt so great.
We were only hours away from San Diego, so we even extended our road trip just a bit (as if the previous 45 hours of driving just weren't enough). We stopped briefly in Laguna Beach, because, who doesn't want to see Laguna? This was my first view of the pacific ocean and my first understanding of the California hills- or rather steep cliffs that just abruptly drop off and become the beach.
San Diego was fantastic. It was like a big city with a ton of tiny "downtown" areas all throughout it. So much was just like I had imagined. Warm days, mild evenings, sunshine, palm trees, posh shops, weird 80's inspired fashion that hasn't hit the east yet.... It's California- I mean, people write songs about this place. We visited the sea lions in La Jolla- that's right, sea lions- real ones- wild ones.
They seemed so sweet in their own blubberous way. I really enjoyed La Jolla a lot. And Cali sunsets.
We also visited the Gaslamp Quarter. It's special and historic- we mostly just appreciated its delicious food.
In fact, we enjoyed a lot of delicious San Diego cuisine. Lots of Mexican food, sometimes complete with a mariachi band!
Then- the zoo. Who doesn't love a good zoo? It's been years since I have been to a zoo actually (except for the completely odd semi-unattended Salisbury zoo in college...), but this is the San Diego zoo- how can you resist?
It's no wonder they made a TV drama called Meerkat Manor- those things were high drama. 
I. love. koalas. It's a little known fact, but they were my favorite stuffed animal to collect as a kid. I had a lot- too many really. I remember loving to look at their pictures in Zoobooks, and there was even a TV cartoon when I was little where this little girl Sandy had a secret koala best friend. Noozles or something, is that weird? Anyway- I just have always kind of liked koalas, I can't explain it. And they were at the San Diego zoo. I think this may have rekindled my love for them.
They slept curled up in tiny balls leaning their heads against the tree. What can I say? They were just the cutest.
Overall, it was really great- and really hard to leave San Diego. But, we have lots of great road trip memories, pictures, matching t-shirts and even a few souvenir ornaments!
Here's to road trips! As well as the great gift of the Wright Brothers-- the airplane.
3 comments:
You took good zoo pictures
This looked like so much fun! Thanks for sharing ter.
Do you want any of your childhood stuffed Koalas? I know where you can get them. Loved the flamingos too! Where did you learn to take such great pictures on vacation? Love you!
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