Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

Around San Diego 14 September 2013



Residence Inn Breakfast




One of the reasons we pick the Residence Inn to stay is their breakfast. They have a standard buffet area for their guests and it’s normally a zoo around the buffet area, so no pictures of the food display. But this is the sort of stuff that is available for us to choose from.







The main drawcard for us is the make your own waffles. So yum when it is fresh and warm, straight out of the machine.







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[PrincessInOz]

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The Road Not Travelled




Have you ever wondered about the road not travelled?
The one where in an alternate universe you are living life on that road?

That’s what this morning’s destination means to me.






In order to explain it, I need to share that I happen to be a science geek.






Believe it or not. It’s true. I have a string of graduate and post-graduate letters after my name to show as evidence of a misspent youth. If I counted all the characters and spaces up, it probably rivals my post count. Okay…..looking at my post count, I might be pulling your tail…er….leg a little.






But it is true. I am a science geek. I’ve always wanted to work at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, ever since I’ve been in 1st year University. I gave up on the dream some 10 years later when I found out that I was a born organiser and planner; and I realised that people would pay me money to do that. Who would’ve believed it?



It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been to Scripps and it was about time for another visit. It served the double purpose for me to reminisce about the path not travelled and also as a meeting destination with family who live in San Diego. I’d arranged to meet my aunt and cousin at the Birch Aquarium.






Whilst we're on parallel universes, sometimes I wonder what would have happened if DH and I had decided to move to US some 15 years ago; but then again….we’re probably living there in that alternate sustainable universe.
















And I’ve always tried to live in the present as opposed to pie-in-the-sky what if’s. Still…..it is food for thought, isn’t it?



It was a pleasant way to spend the morning. We spent some time chatting over family matters and thinking over youthful dreams and family remembrances of youth with this particular aunt. She had been one of my guides in life when I was younger and despite the tyranny of distance between Melbourne and San Diego, we’ve taken every opportunity to keep the relationship going. She’s always been great at helping me look at things in a completely different perspective. Most illuminating.







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[PrincessInOz]

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About Seahorses and Fish




As aquariums go, the Birch Aquarium is not a very big one. Nor is it even particularly notable outside of the local viscinity but it does offer a comprehensive program of educating children about living with the seas and its biodiversity. I find its location to be particularly picturesque….it’s perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.







Aside from the hands-on information boards of oceanic activity that I posted in the previous post, there are over 60 habitats contained within its walls…..







….of creatures big and small.






It provided enough diversion and amusement for us this morning. I particularly enjoyed looking at the coral in the various tanks.

















And with 2 days of Disneyland still ahead of me, my mind was clearly on all things Nemo.
















I have always been fascinated by the Hippocampos. Do you know that this genus name literally translates into Horse Sea Monsters? So unfair! They are definitely not Monsters!
















The seahorses have this prehensile tail that they can use to curl round items so that they don’t get too buffeted around in the ocean currents. They really aren’t great swimmers and can tire easily if the currents are too strong.






I was also pleased to see the Leafy Sea Dragon varieties. I like to think that they amuse themselves amongst the weeds in the sea.













Ocean coral and reefs are wonderfully colourful and fascinating places to visit. There can be so much biodiversity just hiding around any corner.























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[PrincessInOz]

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There is an outdoor section to the Birch……one that allows you to stick your hand into the pools and touch.






There were sea urchin, sea cucumbers and even the Marlin-style poisonous anemone here. The docents were quick to point out that the anemone isn’t really that dangerous to us……in small doses. Naturally, I indulged in this activity and encouraged DS to do so as well.
















All in all, we’d spent a couple of hours in here. It was a wonderful way to catch up with family and I really enjoyed the displays.




Oh…..if you’re wondering…..In that parallel universe, this would have been my work place. I’d always planned to drop a fishing line or sample tube off the Scripps Pier, collecting water samples. I still think it would have been an enjoyable way to spend my working life!








 

 

[LegoMom3]

Fan-TAS-tic pictures!!!!! Wow! Such amazing sea creatures....

Great update!

.

 

[RGirl]

Wow - great update! Your pictures are amazing. And how interesting it is to reflect on the life that might have been.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Glad to hear that you had a great time on Saturday at the Birch Aquarium in San Diego.

Very nice photos of the fishes.

 

[declansdad]

Wow great pictures and some nice little tidbits of information.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Love Scripps! Definitely need to go back soon. Your pictures of the aquariums are magnificent. I wish I could take them so brightly and clearly.

The Leafy Sea Dragons are my favorite as well.

 

[zanzibar138]

Seems like a nice way to spend a few hours

Can't believe you've been in Anaheim for 2 days and haven't been to Disneyland yet

I find it interesting to think about the path not travelled too, although I'm definitely happy with where I am now

 

[Caroline NZ]

Finally have a bit of time to read your report. Love your words and pics . So much food that I thought we would try (toffee apples, beignets, Cheesecake Factory etc), but we have just run out of time and appetite. Was curious, have you had a try of any of the toffee/candied apples?

 

[jedijill]

It will probably be 2-3 years before I can travel, but Australia is at the top of my list. When I get serious about planning, I will pick your brain!

Jill in CO

 

[franandaj]

Gotta love those "make em yourself waffles"!

What beautiful pictures of all the sea creatures. The seahorses are particularly awesome!

 

[ACDSNY]

I had to show DH your amazing pics tonight, he loved them too.

I wonder in your alternate universe, would you still have as many emails at work to get through?

 

[dolphingirl47]

Ok, I really need to learn to avoid your and Alison's trip reports until I had something to eat I am starving now. Love all the food porn and I could just eat a plate of those waffles.

I loved all the photos of the aquarium. I always had an affinity to anything relating to the ocean. I swear I was a mermaid in a previous life or maybe a dolphin. I am another person who is a fan of the Leafy Sea Dragons. I have to research the aquarium. If all goes according to plan, we will do the Westbound Panama Canal Cruise next year and will have two or three days in San Diego after this. This sounds a great idea for the day we fly back.

Corinna

 

[Jade+3]

I'm finally here! It was lovely meeting you and everyone else at Epcot.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Fan-TAS-tic pictures!!!!! Wow! Such amazing sea creatures....

Great update!

.

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

Wow - great update! Your pictures are amazing. And how interesting it is to reflect on the life that might have been.

I don't look in the rear window very often; so it was an interesting morning.

Glad to hear that you had a great time on Saturday at the Birch Aquarium in San Diego.

Very nice photos of the fishes.

Thanks, Bret

Wow great pictures and some nice little tidbits of information.

There's no such thing as useless information. You never know when, where or how you'll use it.....yet.

Love Scripps! Definitely need to go back soon. Your pictures of the aquariums are magnificent. I wish I could take them so brightly and clearly.

The Leafy Sea Dragons are my favorite as well.

Thanks Wendy. I love Scripps too.

Seems like a nice way to spend a few hours

Can't believe you've been in Anaheim for 2 days and haven't been to Disneyland yet

I find it interesting to think about the path not travelled too, although I'm definitely happy with where I am now

Me too.

Finally have a bit of time to read your report. Love your words and pics . So much food that I thought we would try (toffee apples, beignets, Cheesecake Factory etc), but we have just run out of time and appetite. Was curious, have you had a try of any of the toffee/candied apples?

Hope you're having a great time. I have had toffee apples; but ran out of time this trip to get one. DS and I normally share one; but there were so many other things to eat that we just didn't get round to it.

It will probably be 2-3 years before I can travel, but Australia is at the top of my list. When I get serious about planning, I will pick your brain!

Jill in CO

I'll be counting on you doing so!

Gotta love those "make em yourself waffles"!

What beautiful pictures of all the sea creatures. The seahorses are particularly awesome!

They are beautiful creatures.

I had to show DH your amazing pics tonight, he loved them too.

I wonder in your alternate universe, would you still have as many emails at work to get through?

In my alternate universe, I'm pretty sure I don't know how to spell I.T.



Say hi to your DH!

Ok, I really need to learn to avoid your and Alison's trip reports until I had something to eat I am starving now. Love all the food porn and I could just eat a plate of those waffles.

I loved all the photos of the aquarium. I always had an affinity to anything relating to the ocean. I swear I was a mermaid in a previous life or maybe a dolphin. I am another person who is a fan of the Leafy Sea Dragons. I have to research the aquarium. If all goes according to plan, we will do the Westbound Panama Canal Cruise next year and will have two or three days in San Diego after this. This sounds a great idea for the day we fly back.

Corinna

If you love sealife, then it could be a great place to stop. But there is always Sea World, down San Diego way.

I'm finally here! It was lovely meeting you and everyone else at Epcot.

Hey! You made it!. I really enjoyed our DisMeet too and putting names and faces together.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

scripps looks amazing I will have to visit that! I love all things science also which is why I think I get carried away with my passion for a good coffee. It's in the science! Omg love the idea of roasting your own beans. We have domestic expresso machines now that you put in fresh beans and they grind the beans and make the coffee in one hit ( with creme ) . I am saving up for one of those.

Love the Seahorses I find them surreal. To me they are like the platypus I like to see it in real life to really believe they exist. It made me cry because a guy I knew got some seahorses even though I warned him they were very hard to keep and not to be taken into home tanks without expert knowledge. He didn't listen and they all died. I cried my heart out. It should be illegal to sell such majestic creations as 'pets'.

Make your own waffles now we are talking! So what hours are breakfast I will get there at rope drop and leave when the lights go out. How many can I make and consume lol.

In Australia do you have those competitions where people consume the greatest amount they can for example hot dogs in a certain time? Lol...

 

[dgbg100106]

I am all caught up.

The flight over does not sound like fun and I am also the one that cannot sleep. I have planned on taking drugs (OTC) for this next trip and try to get some sleep, we fly over night.

The food porn is amazing, I can see eating a cookie for breakfast.

Alison and Fran's house does look amazing, I am jealous you got to see it in person!

Welcome to DTD, I love Legoland, not that I ever played with them, but just the fact that you can so much with them, and turn them into some really cool art.

I have not been to Scripps before, your pictures are beautiful. I have been to the Aquarium in Monterrey, and it was truly amazing. Their Jelly exhibit is out of this world... really. I think you would enjoy it!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Seaworld is definitely on the list, but that needs a whole day.

Corinna