San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and Santa Fe Railway Station.

The worlds premier zoo is a draw card not only for the animals and birds but for the innovative ways of housing the flora and fauna and presenting it to the public. For more information click here.

 

The flamingo lake and feeding time for the giant tortoises. Average age 150 yrs. The size of the shell does not indicate the age. In this zoo the oldest tortoise is the smallest.

 

In addition to the animals and birds, the Zoo presents a showcase of plants. Hibiscus, giant cycads and beds of American Pitcher plants and Sundews.

 

Walk through massive aviaries amongst the birds.

 

The gorilla enclosure. You are so close to the animals; separated by a pane of glass.

 

The alpha male demonstrated what he thought of me.

 

Gorilla art. Often the animals are represented as statues.

 

Further views of the gorilla enclosure; no trouble spared to create their habitat. However.....

 

... I refuse to accept that I'm descended from them. The profile is all wrong.

 

A Japanese garden and lake stocked with fish of all types and colours.

 

Innovative ways of showcasing aquatic life - tortoise and Cayman.

 

Elevated walkways wind through a rainforest tree canopy to showcase monkeys of all descriptions.

 

Polar bear

 

Some animals unfortunately did not make it. Prehistoric remains found in tar pits.

 

This is the closest I have been to a sleeping lion; separated by a pane of glass.

 

The elephant enclosure.

 

Secretarybirds. I remember seeing them at a distance in Nambia and being intrigued. For more information click here.

 

A life long ambition has been realised; watching dung beetles going about their work.

 

Cable car service spans the whole park. Soaring above the treetop cafés and restaurants (cold day so all inside)

 

Montana rattlesnake, the Ethiopian viper (only three discovered) and the Indian Pythons.

 

You can buy these door draft stoppers to remind you of your experience.

 

The koala enclosure is very popular, especially with children. However I resisted telling a group of wide eyed excited children that they are not cute and cuddly but stink, bite, scratch and urinate on you and should be exterminated en masse.

 

Moored in San Diego harbour is USS Midway. No longer operational, it's now a floating museum which you can visit.

 

The Santa Fe (Union) Station dates from 1887. Scenes from the exterior, arrival/departure hall and classic interior tiling. For more information click here.

 

My hotel in the Little Italy area of SD. The 'P' is missing - La Pensione.

 

The trolley cars that take you around the city. Not the same character as those seen in San Francisco.

 

If the local newspaper reduces in width any further it will cease becoming a broadsheet and become a narrowsheet.

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Apache Trail, Superstition Mountain, Fish River Canyon and the Goldfield Ghost Town.

The Apache Trail is one of the most scenic desert drives in Arizona passing through remote country that features ghost towns, spectacular moutains, canyons and lakes.

 

The Apache Trail winds to the left of the Superstition Mountains where the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine is thought to be located. Believed to be one of the wealthiest gold mines ever established, many people have lost their lives trying to find the mine. For more information about the Lost Dutchman Mine, click here.

 

As you can see this is Seguaro country.

 

When these plants die, this is what remains. Perfectly formed wooden poles of similar diameter. It is these that the Indians used to build their shelters and to make tools and weapons. It was important that the "poles" be harvested before the white ants moved in. These poles help explain why these plants are so strong and branch, not so much to balance themselves, but to direct themselves to the sun.

 

The town of Tortilla Flat used to be a stagecoach stop in the 1800's. Now its a local watering hole for the locals, tourists and passing motocycle enthusiasts.

 

The bar has wonderful horse saddles on which to sit and the walls are covered with thousands of one dollar bills (stapled to the wall unfortunately as I was keen to use them for tips).

 

Further views of the saddles, the classic juke box and the stools on which the saddles sit. You guessed it -imitation wooden horse rears.

 

Very important to pay for your beer in the Tortilla Flats saloon or this is what happens.

 

The beautiful Fish River Canyon; the last picture showing the sun just about to appear over the rim. Note that I accidently captured a dragon fly in full flight (second pic).

 

The Fish River Canyon is traversed by the Fish River Bridge over the Fish River River (which is dry).

 

Further views of the canyon.

 

Along the Apache Trail there is other spectacular scenery to view.

 

Canyon Lake provides much of the water for the Phoenix population and also serves as a popular destination for boating and camping.

 

Along the lake there are small "coves" or inlets which are ideal for swimming or for just resting from the desert heat.

 

The Goldfield Ghost Town is worth a visit. Built in the 1890's Old West period the town has a local saloon as pictured here.

 

The local bordello has character with iron balustrades and interesting paintwork.

 

Other quaint building can be seen against the mountain background. So typical of what is seen in western movies.

 

I spent some time in the "Little Leaning Outhouse on the Prarie" which was somewhat nerve wracking with so many cactus spines around. And what is the strange shaped window on the door meant to represent?

 

I loved this wooden church.

 

The mine can be visited and you can also go for a ride on the old train. Unfortunately this is no longer steam driven which tends to spoil the experience somewhat (hence I decided not to do the trip).

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