Tapati's Labyrinth

You can see some of the photos from our trip to Malibu here.

We also went to the L.A. zoo. I used a disposable to take the zoo photos and I will post those as soon as they are developed. Of course I always get a digital copy to upload. It was quite hot at the zoo and I was grateful I chose to get an electric wheelchair for the day. Everything was quite spread out and I wouldn't have been able to walk very far. (Normally I could walk a couple of miles but with my foot injury I had to stop walking and I am out of condition to do such things. I'll have to build back up to that gradually.) As it was, just getting to the rental station was a trial, from the parking lot and up a lot of steps.

We didn't get to see everything but I estimate we saw about 2/3 of the zoo. I of course prioritized the primates given my Anthropology background. It was exciting to see the gorillas (while they are still in existence!).

We saw a lion but like a lot of the animals he was kicking back in the shade and couldn't be bothered to come over and see us curious humans. Yawn.

The giraffes were so amazing. You know they are tall but that doesn't quite prepare you for the impact when you see them live and up close.

I probably enjoyed the petting zoo the most, though it was for children, because it's the only place you can actually touch animals. I took lots of pictures there.

We got back late and I'm very tired today. Both Dave and I are sick with a respiratory infection. I'd just gotten over one when he finally succumbed to one being passed around at work, just before we left on our trip. Then I caught it from him, apparently. He went right back to work today. I thought he should stay home and rest but he says there's no back up for his Monday tasks. Isn't that an oversight on the part of his boss?

Anyway, I hope the Malibu pictures convey something of what my experience was like. I think the campground has changed a lot, though, become more overgrown with foliage over the years. The bathrooms look kind of run down and in general it has an unkempt look, though still in a beautiful setting. But funds for park rangers and upkeep have suffered under budget cuts and it may be when they are better funded again things will improve.

Dave was amazed that there were camp grounds you could just drive in and park at, with bath rooms and such. I pointed out that there are different levels and types of camping, from the backpacking into the unstructured wilderness type to the RV parks and state camp grounds like Leo Carrillo.