Photo Tour of the Los Angeles Zoo

By: Andrew Bermudez

     On the same day that I visited the LAIR, I also checked out other areas of the LA Zoo. Located in Griffith Park, near Glendale, CA, the LA Zoo is a place teeming with animals. The zoo is very large, but not the largest I've been to; the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo's Safari Park, and Disney's Animal Kingdom are all larger.

     However, one noteworthy thing to point out is the massive construction effort that is being put into the zoo. In the wake of the LAIR's completion, construction has already started on the zoo's next expansion: Rainforests  of the Americas. No opening date has been listed yet, but I'll have to guess it'll open sometime in either 2014 or 2015.

     In the meantime, there is still a lot to see, including lots of baby animals! Here are some pictures I took.

Awww! Baby Bighorn Sheep!

The tiger cubs were very active.

Awwww! Baby Giant River Otters!

I swear he was posing for the camera.

     If you plan on visiting the Los Angeles Zoo, be sure to visit their website for admission rates, hours, and more. Be sure to pack up a lot though, because the Los Angeles Zoo is a guaranteed all-day excursion. Since I've visited this zoo several times throughout my life, I can share some advice if you plan on visiting.

• The best food in the zoo is up at the Mahale Cafe near the Masai Giraffes and Chimpanzees. It's a long hike to the cafe from the entrance, but it's worth it.
• Since it is near the entrance to the zoo, you may instinctively head to the children's zoo first. However, you should save this area for the early afternoon, when it's less crowded.
• All three of the zoo's attractions (Zoo Tram, Conservation Carousel, LA Zoo Choo Choo) require additional fees. Decide how badly you want to go on the attractions before forking out the three or so dollars needed to ride.
• Save the gift shops for last. It's not a good idea to carry around several souvenirs all day, and the main gift shop, the International Marketplace, is at the entrance and exit.

That's all I have for now. Right now, as I type this, we're already planning another outing. This time, its to San Diego, where I'll be flying high on a brand-new, marine-themed roller coaster. Can you guess where I'm going next?

What's New to Do: The LAIR at the Los Angeles Zoo

By: Andrew Bermudez

     Sorry that I haven't written in here lately. I've been very busy and have just found time to write in here.

     Today, I decided to start a series called What's New to Do. In this series, I'll be covering new attractions, exhibits, shows, and more, and give you my input and opinions. So, without further ado, here we go!

     Yesterday, I went to the Los Angeles Zoo with an art class to go draw animals. I was very excited about this trip, not only because I would get to draw animals, but also because I would get to visit the zoo's new reptile house, the LAIR.

     From the outside, the building is nondescript, with a simple wooden bridge leading to the entrance. There is also a photo opportunity spot with a giant lizard and a small marsh. The entrance is also flanked by two tile murals containing several repTILEs (get it? Ha, ha, ha, ha. *GROAN*). Some dragonflies also live in the small marsh. While not part of the exhibit, they add nicely to the atmosphere. But enough about the entrance. Let's head inside! I do apologize for some of the less-than-pristine photos. The first building is kind of dark.

     The first area is themed to a heavily forested swamp. Roots sprout out of the mud and plants hang from the ceiling. The enclosures literally appear to be encased in mud. This area also has a large pond with underwater viewing. Here are some of the animals.

     Next, its on to the animal care center!

     Here, there is one large exhibit for Gray's Monitor Lizard, a few smaller exhibits, and a viewing area into the animal care center, where food is prepared for the LAIR's inhabitants and sick reptiles are treated. There  is also a microphone so the zookeeper on duty can speak to the guests.

     This is the end of the first building. After leaving through a set of double doors, you come up to some desert-themed exhibits, which set up for the next building.

     Out here, you can find a few desert animals roaming about in their enclosures. There's actually not a lot as far as animals go out in this area, though the ambiance is tranquil compared to the noise of the crowds inside the buildings.

     And speaking of inside the buildings, that brings us to the next part of our tour: the desert building!

     Compared to the first building, this one is very small, with all of the exhibits running around the perimeter of the structure. This building contains many desert reptiles, as well as few amphibians and insects.

     Back outside, the old river otter exhibit has been redesigned to house the American Alligator. If you look the other way, you'll see a bridge that acts at the LAIR's exit. But the tour isn't over yet.

     While I was walking over this bridge, I was very surprised to find that, despite the limited space, they were still able to build an exhibit for two false garials. In the early afternoon, you can also watch a feeding session with the false garials.

     The other end of the bridge serves as the exit to the LAIR, which concludes our tour of the LA Zoo's newest addition.

     So, what are my thoughts on this exhibit? First off, I must say that I really enjoyed it, not only because I enjoy animals, but because of the extensive attention to detail. Unlike the original reptile house, which just showcased reptiles, the LAIR takes you into the habitats of the animals that you're looking at. And, despite its small size, you feel like you're in these locations, rather than in a zoo. The limited amount of space is also effectively used, since all of the space available was used for exhibits, landscaping, and paths.

     Be forewarned though, as the insides of the buildings are hot. This is, of course, intentional, since both swamps and deserts are notoriously hot. Still, you should bring some water in with you, as you may need it.

     If your planning to visit the Los Angeles Zoo, I highly recommend that you make the LAIR part of your visit. You will not be disappointed. I'll be covering the rest of my visit to the zoo soon, so stay tuned!

An Afternoon at the Santa Ana Zoo

By: Andrew Bermudez

     I'm very sorry that this post was delayed, but please bear with me. I was a little busy earlier, so I've just found time to put this up.

     A few weeks ago, I had the opprotunity to visit the Santa Ana Zoo! Located in Santa Ana, California in Prentice Park, the Santa Ana Zoo is certainly one of the smaller zoos I've been to. There are a few attractions, including an expedition train, a carousel, and an elephant ride (which was closed the day we went). Regardless, it was still very enjoyable. Here are some photos from the Santa Ana Zoo.

Daniel and Teri Bermudez pose in front
of a statue at the entrance to the zoo.

Oh, no! It's only the start of the day and we're already stuck in a rut! *GROAN*

Just Kidding. We had a lot of fun!

The zoo's newest exhibit, called Tierra de las Pampas,
recreates the plains of South America.

A black lemur. This is a rare sight indeed!

The zoo train travels through Tierra de las Pampas.

     If you are planning to visit the Santa Ana Zoo, then check out their website to help you plan your trip. Keep in mind, though, that this is a VERY small zoo, so a one-day visit will allow you to cover every nook and crany this zoo has to offer.

A Vacation Itinerary

By: Andrew Bermudez

     As with any vacation, a good deal of planning must be made before your trip starts. After all, you wouldn't want it to hurt when you hit the floor! *GROAN.* Anyway, to help you get started with your own vacation, here are some planning and packing tips.

     Pack lots of food and clothing: This bit of advice comes naturally. You're certainly going to need food and clothing, since you won't get the chance to eat at a fancy restaurant for every meal. If you won't be washing your clothes at a laundromat, bring enough clothes to last the entire trip.

     Be Flexible: While some argue against this advice, I really urge you to take this tip seriously. Life can get in the way of your perfect plans. For example, your car could break down, or a bear could drive you out of the road, or a five-inch cockroach could drive you out of your camping cabin. By staying flexible, you don't stress about being somewhere at a certain time and can focus on what really maters: resolving the situation at hand. However, on the other end of the spectrum is...

     Don't play it out by ear: Deciding that your vacation is to just drive and see where you end up is a one way ticket to an empty gas tank and ending up lost. Take my word for it: do some planning first!

     Pack appropriately: Taking your giant tent that requires a giant trailer to haul around on a vacation where you'll only be staying in hotels is a bad move. On the other hand, someone who worries endlessly about cleanliness should probably avoid a camping trip. Do some research on where you'll be staying, and use that information to decide what to bring. Also, many hotels and campgrounds offer free wi-fi connections, so you can bring along your laptop.

     Pack water: About 70% of the human body is water, so pack lots of water! Along the way, you'll be able to refill your water supply with either a water jug bought at the store or a water spout at a campground.

     Bring money: Along the way, you'll need to buy stuff, so bring along your money! Just be careful and don't leave your money anywhere. Have it on your person at all times (except when you're sleeping. In this case, keep it close, like under your pillow or on a nightstand).

     I hope this list of tips and some general itinerary will help you out on your own vacation! Now it's just about time to hit the road!

Welcome to the Vacation: Unlimited Travel Journal!

By: Andrew Bermudez

    I would like to welcome everyone reading to the Vacation: Unlimited Travel Journal! For the next splendid fourteen months, we will be taking you to many wonderful destinations. From theme parks to zoos, and museums to forests, there always will be something exciting and new here.

Once every week, a new journal entry will be put up here about a vacation destination, along with photos and travel tips geared towards that destination. Some of the entries that you may see are:

• Skipper Dan (aka Daniel Bermudez) takes us into the unknown wild aboard the world-famous Jungle Cruise at Disneyland.
• See massive LEGO displays and thrilling brickfilms at LEGO World Chicago 2012.
• Journey through the history of the written language at Muzeo.
• Travel with us into a full-scale recreation of Radiator Springs for a sneak preview of Cars Land, opening June 15th at Disney California Adventure.
• Journey into a climate-controlled reptile house, known as The Lair, coming soon to the Los Angeles Zoo.
• Travel to San Francisco for a ride on an iconic street car and a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum.
• And much more!

     So pack up your gear, check your map, fill up the family wagon, and let's hit the road!
Oh, I almost forgot that I have a tendency to write bad jokes, but never fear. If you read a bad joke, you will see a cue like this. (*GROAN*) When you see it, be sure to groan!
     Example:
     "Did you hear about the rubber ball?"
     "No. What happened?"
     "He went to a restaurant, but he bothered the customers with his stories. He said they were true, but he was just stretching the truth. The manager came and rolled him out of there, telling him never to come back. Now the ball is sad."
     "Why is that?"
     "He's now a rubber banned ball."
     *GROAN*
     There. This shouldn't be too bad. But I'll try to keep this to a minimum.

Pictures from our Summer 2009 Vacation

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis

Daniel poses with John Wilkes Booth at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library

Some nose art at the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum

The Memphis Belle's current state of restoration at the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum

The Wright Brothers' cycle shop at Carillon Historical Park

Don't shoot!

Andrew and Daniel play checkers at the Gettysburg KOA Campground

Daniel and Al return from the site of Pickett's Charge

Andrew standing in front of the Robert E. Lee monument in Gettysburg

A street view of Harpers Ferry

The perfect Christmas picture!

Daniel, Andrew, and Teri, with the Lincoln Memorial in the distance

The National Air Force Museum entrance foyer

Camping at the capitol

A statue of John Smith at the Jamestown historic site

A recreation of Jamestown

Andrew, Daniel, and Al aboard a ship at Jamestown Settlement

Al poses with an... indian?

A tent at the Yorktown Victory Center

Daniel and Andrew hiking in Petersburg

A cannon in Petersburg

The summit of Kennesaw Mountain

Hiking up Stone Mountain

Daniel and Teri pose in front of the carving on Stone Mountain

On of the sculptures on the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

A temple wall on the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom

A sculpture outside Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom

A Lego display at the Walt Disney World Lego Store

A special display at the WWII museum

Our campsite in New Orleans

The converted lawnmower shed that we stayed in one night

The Johnson Family Cemetary on the LBJ Ranch

Our cabin in Fredricksburg, Texas

An artillery gun at the National Museum of the Pacific War

Time to eat!

It's the White House!

Teri at Fort McHenry

Andrew at Fort McHenry

Daniel and Andrew golf at Stone Mountain

The Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf at Stone Mountain

Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine

The outer barriers of Castillo de San Marcos

The entrance to Castillo de San Marcos

Andrew and Daniel in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom

The Swiss Family Treehouse at the Magic Kingdom

A speederbike photo stop at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios

The United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot