It's a jungle out there

So we were on our way to San Diego and we stopped in Bishop for a quick breakfast. There I realized that my purse was in my car back at my mom's house, here in Carson Valley. It was still dark outside when I loaded all my other stuff in my mom's car. Now what do I do if I get pulled over by a policeman? I never have before. So I called my dad and asked if he could send my purse overnight express, but it was too late in the afternoon for them to guarantee delivery before Monday. I'm coming home on Sunday, so that wouldn't work. Luckily, we called my sister in Lake Tahoe who was flying down to San Diego for the family get-together on Thursday and she brought my purse with her, and saved the trip.

So then we're ready for a day trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, with cash and credit card in hand. The weathermen predicted 92 degrees, so we lathered up with sunscreen and were there when the gate opened at 9 a.m.

The park offers a diverse assortment of animals in settings, designed after their natural habitat. The "Heart of Africa" is their newest development where native African animal species can roam together, as a community that replicates their home country.

My favorite part was the abundance of plant life the park has to offer. Water misters were in the rain forest with beautiful flowers and exotic birds. Some trees had dozens of large white birds setting in nests.

I asked my 6-year-old daughter what she liked about the animals.

Jenee said, "I liked the warthog most because it looks like cousin Christine's English bulldog" and "A big lion came right up to the window and looked at me."

She liked the dancing elephant in the show. When I asked her what her favorite animal was, she said "the giraffe because of its long neck."

I don't miss the fog in San Diego or the salty air that corrodes the stereo equipment. I don't miss the traffic. So many drivers in the San Diego area were driving like race car drivers, zig-zagging between cars, passing on a double yellow, speeding excessively. So I promise for at least one day, I won't complain about you drivers here in the Carson Valley. Pinky promise. Life is good here in Northern Nevada, I'm glad to be home.

n Hey did you hear all the hootin' and hollerin' going on in the Johnson Lane area Saturday night? Well, it was more like singing to karaoke. Kayla Vickers and Lindsay Liddell were ready to have a birthday party, but they didn't want presents, they wanted to give something to the community. So they sent out invitations to their Carson Valley Middle School friends, and on the invitation it read;

"Instead of gifts, we will be asking for small donations, and/or toys for kids 6 months - 24 months. These toys and money will be donated to Austin's House, a foundation for kids who need a place to live, because they were in a bad situation at home."

Sande Gervais said, "My daughter picked out a toy to bring from Target. It was great seeing her put so much time and care into her selection."

Gervais feels Kayla and Lindsay are inspiring and show unbelievable generosity.

"It was a great party. We jumped on the trampoline and watch a movie called Just Friends," Gervais said.

"It was cool how the kids were so helpful to help other kids," said Kayla.

Lindsay said 35 kids showed up and they raised $415 and got lots of presents. Even though the party is over, if you'd like to make a donation you can contact the board president Linda Cuddy at 782-6247.

n Lisa Welch is a Johnson Lane resident and can be reached at 267-9350.