This was the view from my hotel window. I thought it was so cool that the train went through this little park, over the pond...until the train blew its horn ALL. NIGHT. LONG.



I was in town for work but decided to take the opportunity to stay for the weekend and visit the world famous San Diego Zoo. It was really amazing and this was the best part:



I was actually choked up when I went through the panda area. They are so beautiful and the zoo does such a nice job taking care of them, replicating their habitat, etc. It just made me so happy to see them and be so close to them. I know - it sounds weird - but I am such an animal lover. Which brings me to this guy, below:


I don't usually go to shows like this but I went because on a bus tour I took through the zoo first thing, they said they would have a wolf there...no wolf, but there was NORMAN. Yes, his name was Norman. And so I fell in love...and missed my own furry one.

This picture below was also a very neat experience. You could feed the giraffes biscuits. I came upon it too late and there was a terribly long line but I got some great pictures - they were up so close it was amazing. I have a great fondness for giraffes...and I was once blessed to see one born at the National Zoo in Washington.


After a looooooooooooong day at the zoo, I went back to my hotel room. I don't know if I will ever make it back to San Diego (though I dearly hope I do!) and I really wanted to see the beach at Coronado. So even though I was exhausted, I got in a cab and went over. I made it right at sunset and it was simply beautiful.




It was a great trip. I was somewhat anxious for some reason this time but I just kept focused on the wonder of all I was seeing and I am so glad I did. It was one of those rare trips where you really feel IN the moment, every moment.