California, Palm Springs - The Living Desert.

Chris and Jason had gone to the San Diego Zoo and Friday we all went to the Living Desert which is the Coachella Valley areas zoo. 2 zoos in a week! But very different.

The Living Desert only has animals that make sense for this climate

so there were lots of African animals.

So nice to see the reminders of our trip to South Africa.

There was a petting zoo area

where the kids could brush the goats. They had to be taught to brush them in the direction their hair wanted to go.

The two kids were really into it but we made them move on.

It was a very hot day, heat shimmering off the mountains behind and the rocks around

and, of course the kids were running from one exhibit to the next

so, eventually, Maya got very overheated, in spite of the copious amounts of water, so they all went back to the air conditioning of the car

and Chris, Jason and I sat down to watch the Wonderful Wildlife Show.

Various "Ambassador Animals" came on stage and stood on wooden stumps to be given treats

and so we could see them up close. This cat hissed when he saw children on the lower seats.

We were told that Rosie, the Big Horn Sheep, was the most difficult to work with. She is large, stubborn and will only work with certain trainers.

She didn't want to leave the stage, after all she got lots of treats there, and she was given the gesture to exit 3 or 4 times before she took the trainer up on it.

At the end of the show the presenter bought out an Armadillo and invited us down

to touch him and ask questions. Rolled up into a perfect ball when she encouraged him to.

Meanwhile, Aimee and Mike had gone in search of Sushi. Mike had been craving it and giving in to Aimee's taco obsession all week.

Both kids fell asleep in the car. For Maya food trumped sleep, for Avery, the opposite,  he slept through the whole meal and ate his sushi at home.