November 2008 and I'm out exploring the local mountains, again. Here we are in Bankhead Springs at the old Bankhead Springs Hotel. At this time, it was empty and abandoned. Doors were unlocked, with nobody

Too much excitement for these boys. Glad they found a shady tree! And that's all for the WAP for now (or then, October 2008). Something different tomorrow. :-)

No fair! Why don't I get any treats? :-)

Oh, goody! Here they come again with more snacks! It's a wonder these giraffes aren't big and porky with all the snacks they get all day, :-)

Still ground-level inside the WAP, some time in October 2008. Pretty birdies! I don't know how they do it nowadays. But of course these kinds of "safari-type" rides cost extra (on top of admission).

Lots of these big lazy guys, too. See? They're not extinct! :-)

Obviously, these guys were the stars of the show. And you could buy snacks for them, too. What a racket. :-)

Not sure what kind critters these non-rhinos are. Some kind of ibexes or something. :-)

What's this? Yet another visit to the WAP in October 2008? Amazing. And this time, we actually get up close and personal with some of the critters. Let's see... in the past, we've taken a ride around the

And that's all from Ron, today! Now off to sign and sell a few books (he signed mine upside down in the back! :-))! And the crowd lines up around the perimeter, trying to avoid the rain as much as possible.

Ron Paul giving one of his classic speeches to maybe 100 people or so at the San Diego Courthouse in May, 2008. It was a rainy day, too. So I'm sure that scared off most of the people. :-)

And as I mentioned, I was still playing politics back in 2008. So of course I had to go check out RP the ONE time (as I recall) that he paid a visit to San Diego - a nice rainy day in May. At the downtown

A Ron Paul Revolution HQ at an old Stuckey's off Interstate 15 in May 2008. Yes, I was still playing the politics game at this point, but not for much longer. Love the old Stuckey's building. I'm pretty

And we're back in Carlsbad (already!). That's where Palomar Airport is - and the world famous Flower Fields. They're looking a little faded, as the end of their season rapidly approaches (April, 2008).

This must've been a quick trip, because we're already heading north again! Got the propeller spinning there in front of me!. :-)

Still enjoying my birthday WWII bi-plane ride back in April 2008. Uh-oh! Brush fire! Pilot called it in and we were back on our way.

That's the Torrey Pines golf course and gliderport down there. I think the guy who flew this little biplane got his kicks by making his passengers get sick with his antics. At least he certainly succeeded

And now, since Palomar Airport is in Carlsbad, California and that's right on the ocean, that's right where we're headed first - the ocean! And going south, again. :-)

Up, up and away! Above Palomar Airport in Carlsbad in a WWII-era biplane, we go! We see the bombers and the jeep below - with the huge crowds admiring them. :-)

Still April 2008 and were finally off on my birthday biplane ride! Previous passenger touching down... Waiting for me... And we're off!