The Armadillo Tales

Las Vegas Photos

These are some photos from Las Vegas.    Note that I have been to Vegas many times before so busting out the camera wasn't a popular activity for me.    Putting my chips on the number 20 on the roulette table ... well that's a different story ...

Sin City

Wow I go away for a week and there's a big re-design here.   The family packed up and we headed to Sin City, Las Vegas.    B-Dad and I love gambling so it was an ideal vacation.    Another huge plus is that we met my parents there.   They too love the lure of gambling.    We stayed at the Paris hotel.    Paris is owned by the Harrah's corporation, who loves B-Dad so much that we were able to get free rooms.    Of course the money we gamble with we could have stayed for a month.  But that's not the point right?   The point is that we had loads of fun and we would do it again if we could.    

It's a shame that Las Vegas is not yet family-friendly.   I know, I know, it's sin city, not exactly suited for children, but there are such a thing as rich families right?      I would love for there to be more family activities in the hotels.   I'm not referring to a broom closet with old soda stained Ms. Pac Man or Centipede machines, but something more creative.   Some games of course, but something a little more interactive and educational.   You know, something like Habitot's Children Museum ... that would be very nice.    Maybe I'm reaching but it would be a deciding factor of where we are going to stay or visit.

All good things must unfortunately come to an end, so 6 days of lights, buffets and bells ... all very tiring for us.     We returned home and the boys slept for roughly 12 hours.    Vegas, we still love you and hope to see you soon.   

Wild Animal Park Pics

Here are some promised photos from our trip to San Diego and the Wild Animal Park ...

I was plesantly surprised at how courageous the armadillo was with the deer.  Many of the deer were bigger than the armadillo but he went right up to them.    I'm not sure if it was the feed in his hand or the fact that he is just so cutie that made him appear to be a friendly creature.

Adorable baby elephant!

Another baby!   It's a baby rhino ... too cute!

You have to be 6 years or older to ride on the Photo Caravan Safari.   Hopefully we'll get to go when the boys are older.

The above is the armadillo's brief but yet unsuccessful attempt at being the Crocodile Hunter.

Ducks ducks ducks galore!

My favorite!  The gorillas ...

and their mighty king!

Armadillo & The Alligator

While at the Wild Animal Park in San Diego they had these events called Animal Encounters.    They were scheduled for random times during the day and each "encounter", the animal keepers would bring an animal for the public to meet and learn about.   One of the encounters we caught involved a baby alligator.   Don't ask me for its formal name, first name, last name, latin name, etc ... I just know it as a baby alligator.    So B-Dad and the armadillo stood in line to stand by the alligator and get their photo taken.  I think you have to be over six years old or something like that to actually touch the alligator but in looking at the photo I don't think the armadillo would have touched it if he were 35 years old, rather than 2 1/2 years old.    He seemed a bit wary of the creature.   He was probably wondering why it didn't have any hair and that it wasn't meowing or barking.   We're so domesticated.

Of course being the tourists that we are, we bought the darn photo from the Wild Animal Park.  They have signs all over the place saying that proceeds from purchases go to help fund the park and the care of the animals.   The photo was $12.95 for a 5x7 pic ... yes ripoff, it's for a good cause.    Does $12.95 get me a kiss from that big hunky gorilla I gushed over?    That would have made spending that money sooo worth it.  Photo of my primate friend coming soon ...

Wild Animal Park

Today we took the boys to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.   We had such a good time.   The weather was nice and the park was empty.   If you ever get the opportunity, visit these popular attractions on a weekday during school hours.  It was so nice not to have to wait in line to see the animals or go to the exhibits.   The armadillo appeared to have a blast.    He got to see a baby alligator up close during one of the park's animal encounters exhibits but refused to look at it when he got closer.   The armadillo went to their Petting Korral and DID NOT want to leave.    He threw a huge fit about having to say good bye to his friends, the deer.  I was very surprised when I went in with him the lack of fear he had.   Some of those deer was more than three times his size.   Even I was a bit wary feeding them.  But the armadillo was very brave and he fed them, gave them hugs and said his sweet good byes.   

The whole family took the Wgasa Bush Line Railway tour.   It is a 45 minute guided tour.   It takes you to see the numerous exhibits in the park.   That was a fabulous experience.   We got to see the rhinoceros, elephants, giraffes, and other rare and fasicnating creatures.   My favorites were the baby elephant, the baby rhino and the gorillas.   I love the big male of the group.  Something about those big male gorillas are so captivating.   

We took loads of pics that I will need to upload when we return home.  I'll be sure to post them soon.     I would defintely recommend going to visit the San Diego Wild Animal Park again.   We'll probably come back in abut 5 years.  That way both boys will be old enough to go on the Photo Caravan Safari.     We may be able to kiss a giraffe!    Smooches!

Photo credit: San Diego Wild Animal Park

Taking a Break

The whole family is down south visiting some of our friends.    Don't they look great?  (see photo above)     I can tell by the looks on their faces that they are dying to see us.

Photo credit: The Awesome Zoo

Gambling Fix

Oh the feeling was so nice ... putting those chips out on the slightly worn felt table ... secretly wishing for "pocket aces" ... beating the dealer and getting paid ... I love that feeling ... the feel of legalized gambling.    I don't know what it is but I guess you could call gambling my own "legal crack pipe".   I love gambling.   I love playing the table games.   I love the possibilities of making tons of money in return for betting a few dollars.   

Yesterday the family packed up and went to Cache Creek.   It's a local Indian Casino, a little over an hour's drive away from our house.   We spent the night to satisfy our gambling urges.   It's a nice looking hotel/casino.    The hotel section is pretty new so the rooms are attractive.  We got an Executive Suite that comes with a separate bedroom.   That helps with the two boys and the whole sleeping arrangement.  Fortunately it worked out where the armadillo slept on the bed with B-Dad and I, and my sumo baby slept in the Pack 'n Play.   

I played the table games.  I'm not so into slots.   I just can't get into pushing a  button and waiting for the machine to give me a random display of symbols for what I am hoping will be a nice payout.  B-Dad likes the slots and video poker.   But that is just not me.    I neglected playing my favorite game Roulette in favor of Texas Hold 'Em.   Unfortunately we didn't win (otherwise you would have read about it by now) but we had a great time.   Of course we only play with what we could afford to lose.   Hell, it would have been absolutely fabulous if we won lots of money, but oh well, there's always next time.    And I'm counting the days until that comes around again.