Chula Vista, California: Not having a car on this trip isn't much of a problem as the Sun Outdoor RV Resort is a ten minute walk to the San Diego Trolley E Street Station, so we can get anywhere we would want to go. The trolleys are clean, fast and mercifully air conditioned. $3 for adults. We decided to go to the famous San Diego Zoo - our fifth visit. The last time we were here (three years ago) with the grandchildren, the zoo was in the middle of a huge elephant enclosure expansion and we were interested in seeing the completed project.
But first, a flashback:
What a difference three years make!
Dave and I hopped on the Blue Line, and transferred to a bus at a station downtown San Diego. The bus dropped us at the zoo. Super convenient and we didn't have to pay $16 zoo parking... which was a good thing as it is now $78 for an adult - $68 for children under 12 years - to visit the San Diego Zoo. (We were able to purchase tickets for $73 because it was just our dumb-luck to go on a Value Day.)
Though expensive, I can not tell you how well organized the park is and how many friendly employees and volunteers everywhere. The layout is a maze of paths and it is easy to get a bit confused. The zoo wants you to use a QR code to use a zoo map on your phone. Hell, no. I couldn't even read the tiny thing with my reading glasses. Thankfully, they will give you a very nice colorful illustrated paper map at the info kiosks. Whew.
To be kinder: the zoo phone app does allow a visitor to click-off which animals they want to see, and it plans a route for you!
Since Friday was a school day, it wasn't too crowded. Lines were short, and it was easy to get a close look into the enclosures. Thing is - maybe because it was 92 degrees - we didn't see many critters at all. Dave was anxious to see the Pandas, but they were inside their air conditioned room. Rude.
The San Diego Zoo has three male lowland gorillas. One, the youngest, has only been with the group a few weeks and he has not found his rank - which is somehow less than third out of three in the group. Poor guy. The two older gorillas do not like him. I felt so bad for him. The keepers put him out alone and toss all kids of vegetables out for him to eat, then later, release the two older/larger males into the enclosure. The little guy - who already has a red bloody gash on this rear end and another on his arm - basically panicked and fled to a cave-ish area below a waterfall. So sad.
He later climbed up the waterfall to scope out the situation, and immediately returned to his hiding spot.
We continued our wanderings...
And then DT made a pose for the grandchildren, and we sent it off to their cellphones!
We did see a grizzly bear paw, a sun bear, several African elephants, a huge eagle and two condors, hippos, zebras, tapirs, lions and penguins. We covered nearly 5 miles today and didn't return to our RV until well past cocktail time. Happily there was a nice meal in the crockpot ready for our dinner.
Have not seen it open though.
Until my next update, I remain, your zoological correspondent.
Campsite Information: Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay