Charlin at the Pumpkin Patch

Another day, another trip. Here we go!

Wheeee!!!

 

This time, the parental units and two of the fraternal units visited the pumpkin patch. It was a weekday, so we did not expect or find large crowds. The drive was not too long, and the day was nice and cool.

Where are the pumpkins?

After finding a parking spot, we discovered the patch had an open-air market before the farm. Some very nice looking local and imported produce surrounded the grounds.

Where's Jerome?

I have read about the different types of pumpkins, but I never seen so many varieties together. The colors were amazing, the shapes were distinct, and the sizes were noteworthy by themselves.

A mondo-pumpkin

Besides the expected pumpkins, the shop also offered decorative items, such as ornamental squash. While the gourds were pretty, the sales clerks warned us they were poisonous.

It's crazy

Other, less lethal decorative items were present as well.

Wheat!

 

Many mini pumpkins!

The clerks were busy, but very nice as well.

I'm not sure what they think of Jerome

However, we did not come for the market. We came for the pumpkin patch. So we bought our tickets and entered.

Even more pumpkins!

Besides the produce, the patch had a number of farm animals. Such animals included the stereotypical goats, chickens, ducks, horses, sheep, and turkeys. Most seemed pretty uninterested in us (they knew we did not have food for them). It was still fun seeing them, especially the highland cattle.

It's got a teddy bear face

Additionally, the patch offered examples of farm equipment. Some items, such as tractors, allowed visitors to pose in them.

Moments before tragedy struck...

 
However, the fraternal unit stated the Corn Maze offered the best experience. Apparently, the two fraternal units attempted the maze last year with epic results. So, the five of us (and Jerome) entered for adventure.

Looks safe

Unfortunately, three of our party (which may or may not include me) have questionable senses of direction. Still, what could go wrong?

Help...

Seriously?

We really did run into this same sign twice

All silliness aside, we found our way to the hay pyramid at the end without too much difficulty, thanks in part to the maps scattered throughout the maze and the presence of an engineer.

Yay!!!

After running the maze, we felt pretty tired, so we left the patch. However, before we left, we had a truly frightful encounter.

Brussel sprouts!!!!!

 

However, the fraternal and maternal unit wanted to show me some of the local stores. They (the stores) were really cute and offered attractive merchandise.

Candy!

 

Sodaaaaa

It was a fun trip. So, until next time, peace out mah ninjas!

Charlin (and Navals) at the Zoo!

As promised, here is the next update. The Navals took me to a very special location...McDonald's!

 Yay?

...Not really. Instead, as a beleted birthday present, I got to go to the San Diego Zoo! The trip did not take too long (no traffic on the weekends!), so we got to the zoo almost as soon as they opened.

 He roped his buddy into the picture. He was confused, but still smiled (sorta) nicely.

The first thing we did was go on the bus tour. On the tour, we heard the lions, saw the snow leopard, watched the elephants chase each other, and took pictures of a two-week-old giraffe. Unfortunately, none of my pictures came out really well. Fortunately, the lady who took our tickets was very nice. She was also photographic.

 Whee!

Actually, one photo from the tour came out fairly well.

 Man eats popcorn, bear eats man, mosasaur eats bear, woman inherits the earth.

We then went to the Reptile House before it got too crowded. Mrs. Naval liked seeing the animals (behind the glass). Actually, some of the snakes, like this mamba, looked rather pretty.

 Yah know, people say mosasaurs were closely related to snakes. 

I'm still not seeing it.

After the adventures with the reptiles, we had a plan. A plan that involved this window.

 Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Once we finished at the window, we had to kill some time, so we visited the rhinos.

 Sleepy...

We then waited in a very, very long line. A long line to feed the giraffes! We gave them biscuits, and they licked them out of our hands. Their tongues were long, flexible, and dark, but also warm and wet, like a dog's.

 I accidentally cut off his tongue in the picture.

The big male's name is Silver, and the smaller female is called Harriet.

 Maybe I should have washed the pepper off my hands

Of course, no visit to the zoo is complete without seeing some animal babies. Besides the previously mentioned giraffe, we saw a baby hippo, gazelle, warthogs, and takin. Takin are one of China's national treasures. The animals look like a goat, musk ox, and cow hybrid as adults, but the little ones look like a bear-goat. 

 Cuuuuute!

Throughout the day, we became convinced that Mr. Naval had the touch, since the animals that usually hide stayed visible whenever he came near. Such animals included the snow leopard, mountain lions, black jaguar, and caribou. 

 Cariwho?

The conventional leopard also trekked around the exhibit. She seemed very interested in the people watching her.

 Is she going to eat us?

Fortunately, we had our own predator to protect us.

You'd better run!

Fortunately, we found some friendlier creatures nearby.

 Just hangin' out

Still, a predator is a predator, and the other animals seemed aware of this.

 Look at me and fear, all ye meerkats!

Of course, there will always be another predator. Jerome still won.

 And stay down!

We also found an absolutely enormous hybiscus.

 Seriously, have you ever seen a blossom this big?

On the way back to the car, we noticed something very strange. Each of the rows in the parking lot had an animal and a letter. Yet, the letter had nothing to do with the animal. The letters and animals did not change further down the row, so each letter stayed with its animal.

 "A" for..."panda"?

Anyway, we all felt tired and ready to leave.

 We're going...

...to dinner!

The Navals took me to I Luv Sushi, one of their favorite restaurants. We all ate too much of the very, very good food. So, with full bellies and sore legs (the proof of a day well spent) we went home.

Until next time, peace out my ninjas!

The Fraturnal Unit and the Museum

Well, it's time for another trip. While the last trip to the Natural History Museum provided much learning and entertainment, the dinosaur section was not yet complete. It finally finished in early June, but I wanted to avoid the summer rush. September tends to be a quiet month, so I decided to return to the museum. After the fun experience I had with the paternal unit during my last trip there, I decided to invite the fraternal unit to join me at the museum.

I shall, my friend. I shall.

Both the fraternal unit and I wanted to save the dinosaurs for later in the day, so we explored the African Mammal Hall. The diaramas look very realistic. Perhaps the most eye catching one contained the elephants.

Don't mind me

Outside the hall was an enormous vat of preservatives displaying an oarfish. The living fish are bright blue-silver with red fins and crests, but age and preservation drained the sample of most of its color. Still, it shows a remarkable animal rumored to be the origin of sea serpents.

You soooo ugly

One of the nice things about the museum is its unlisted exhibits. The fraternal unit noticed this skeleton across from the California History Hall. Apparently, it comes from a Galapagos tortoise, one of the longest-lived of all turtles.

Ever feel like defying gravity for a little while?

Eventually, we migrated to the Rocks & Minerals display. While many of the gems and crystals stun visitors, I really liked the touchable items, like this meteor.

An ancient reptile under a meteor. Never happened before (*sarcasm*)

Both of us were hungry at this point, but the museum's restaurant was pretty expensive. So, we went outside for lunch. Unfortunately, we ended up in a very, very bad neighborhood.

We shouldn't be here!

For those who do not know my family very well, our fears may appear confusing. Rest assured, they are completely justified.

Fortunately, the fraternal unit provided much-needed stability through her mature, restrained, thoughtful response.

Make him fear us!!!

After subduing the ne'r do well, we decided to relax with a little horseback riding.

Whee!

After lunch, we gratefully returned to the museum, where another powerful woman greeted us with the pelt of her most resent trophy...or she was a very nice volunteer who let us touch some coyote fur.

The mighty huntress

Much to my delight, the museum still had a show with the life-size t-rex puppet. It scared some of the little kids in the audience, but everyone else loved it.

You tell him who's boss!

Another surprise waited at the top floor. The Dino Lab was still open for public viewing. This time, however, real live scientists were working on specimens. 

I can see there secrets!

I could not handle the suspense any longer. We went to see the new Dinosaur Hall. It was awesome.

The hall included replicas, artistic models, life-size paintings, and genuine fossils.

It's a pleasure to meet you!

Usually, I try to favor less popular animals, but I think I will always have a special spot for triceratops.

The museum, however, seems to greatly favor t-rex. It sported three skeletons, besides the Dueling Dinos display and a random skull.

I feel small...

Of course, not all displays show spiky/toothy dinosaurs. Other displays include the sauropods, or long-necked dinosaurs.

This is the sucker's backbone. I feel really, really small. Thanks (*sarcasm*)

Like other areas of the museum, the gallery included some hands-on items, including casts and fossils.

I haz a bone

They also had non-dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Hall. One of the nicest ones was their mosasaur, which is apparently one of the largest of its kind.

Just like brothers...

Actually, the skeleton itself was very pretty, so here is a better shot of it.

After seeing the dinosaurs, we rushed out to get the free tour. We where the only ones on it besides the guides, but it was really, really fun. 

The last shot before my camera's batteries died

On the tour, we learned how the museum got and showed its items. Many of the larger dinosaur bones, the guide explained, are casts, since the sheer weight of the larger fossils makes them almost impossible to set up in a display. They also discussed how the museum prepares skins for dioramas. Finally, they took us to their fin whale skeleton. While the bones are over 50 years old, they apparently still secrete oil. Since whales have so much blubber, the fat permeates the bones, causing oil to occasionally drip out of the display (the floor is arranged to prevent people from slipping on it).

The trip was wonderful, but expect another update soon...