wildlife Archives - Floradise

03/27/2017

Shedd Aquarium With a Toddler

Our family Sunday Funday tradition continued with a day at Shedd Aquarium on Sunday. It was a wet and foggy day that called for yet another indoor activity, so we booked last-minute tickets to the Shedd for a lively day.

One of my goals as a parent is to teach Victoria to love and respect animals and nature, so while I have mixed feelings about aquatic shows, I wanted her to see the good being done by institutions such as the Shedd. Victoria was captivated by the fish, turtles, sharks and sting rays, which she recently become more interested in because of the movie “Moana.” You can easily spend an entire day at the aquarium, especially if you get Total Experience or Shedd passes.

Tip: Do not book last minute like we did if you want the Total Experience or Shedd passes. You will be charged an extra $15 a person to skip the line and most of the shows will be sold out. Also, find parking at a lower cost on Spothero** vs. $19 to park in the Adler lot or similar prices at Soldier Field. (FYI: Kids 0-2 get in to the Shedd for free!)

Shedd suggests bringing an umbrella stroller, but I had no trouble in a regular jogging stroller. Of course, as with any popular attraction, you have to be patient with people who walk in front of you. It happens, and you’ll probably do it, too.

Despite that ticket lesson learned, we had a successful family outing with no toddler (or adult) meltdowns.

How was your weekend? Have you been to the Shedd?

Previous Shedd post:

A Day at Shedd Aquarium

Watch a video of our day!

** This post contains a referral link to Spothero. We each get $5 off if you book parking through my link.

02/21/2017

Birthday at the Field Museum Chicago | Free-Admission Days

A perk of living in Chicago is that many of the museums are free on certain dates/months. Luckily for us, the Field Museum is offering free general admission to Illinois residents during the month of February.

I awoke on my birthday thinking it’d be nice to spend the day wandering around the museum. As I’ve said before, you would have to spend days, even weeks, at the Field Museum to see and admire everything it has to offer.

This time we started with the Nature Walk. We completely missed this section of the Main Floor on our first visit recently. We also checked out more of the west side of the main floor, including Mammals of Africa and Reptiles and Amphibians, before taking a break at the Field Bistro. Victoria took a nap in her stroller while Graham and I took a break.

I also was intrigued by the packaging of this lemonade. The beverage wasn’t as sweet as I expected.

Later we walked through the Ancient Americas exhibit, which explored Incan, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. It leads into the Northwest Coast and Arctic Peoples exhibit. I was captivated by the totem poles, masks, tools, history — all of it. It was one of my favorite parts of the museum. This exhibit ends at the North American Indians exhibit, another riveting section.

The museum will be free for the rest of February. More dates are announced throughout the year.
I have a lot more to explore at the museum, so I may be back this month.

Have you been to the Field Museum? What was your favorite exhibit?

Previous Field Museum visit:

Field Museum Fun

02/06/2017

Travel Wish List | 5 Places to Go

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Canva

I was inspired by the New York Times’ 52 places to go in 2017 article to share five places I have on my travel bucket list. Some are half a world away and some are right next door, as you will see below.

What’s on your travel list?

Five places to consider:

1. Thailand is at the top of my list. If I could go anywhere in the world right this second, it would Thailand. My friend wrote an article about it after her recent travels, calling it the country of contrasts. It seems so intriguing to me and perfect for the kind of activities that Graham and I like to do. I also want to learn about its temples, food and culture. Learn more about traveling to Thailand on its tourism website.

2. Canada is our neighbor to the north, yet I have never been there. I’ve already created itineraries; we just need to get there. I read in the New York Times that Canada’s parks are offering free admission this year, making it the perfect opportunity to go. Explore the country by territory or province on the Keep Exploring Canada website.

3. Iceland is on my list for its wonders: Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights, glaciers, and more. I want to see and do it all. One of my best friends just traveled there and told me it’s beautiful and that the food is delicious. It made me want to go as soon as possible! See the Visit Iceland website for ideas on things to do.

4. Alaska has long been on my dream list. As a lover of the outdoors, I prefer places where I can do lots of outdoor activities and Alaska in the summer seems perfect for that. Denali National Park is on the top of my list. If you need help planning, the state of Alaska will send you a brochure in the mail.

5. Australia is a dream trip that I can’t wait to take. In addition to the Great Barrier Reef, I would love to visit a turtle rehabilitation center as well, as they are my favorite animals. I would also love to see and explore the Outback. Get more ideas on what to do in Australia on its tourism website.

02/01/2017

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Florida

When I researched things to do in the Florida Keys, I came across the Turtle Hospital, a facility that rescues, rehabilitates and releases sea turtles. I was thrilled about the chance to see my favorite animal up close, so I made reservations for a tour of the hospital in Marathon, Florida, during our stay on Islamorada in the Keys. (Islamorada is about an hour and forty minutes from Key West, in case you’re wondering.)

From our hotel in Islamorada, the hospital was about a 45-minute drive to Mile Marker 48.5. We made it to the hospital at 8:45 for our 9 a.m. tour. We had been asked to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out our waivers and pay our admission fee, which was $22 per person for adults. (Children 4-11 pay half the price.)

Our tour had eight adults and three kids, which we were told was a small group. The tour began with a presentation that included passing around skulls and other items. We saw video and photos of the turtles the hospital has helped and learned about some of the stories. Then we walked into the surgery center before walking to the first tanks.

The hospital, from what we were told, has four of the five turtle species that reside in Florida: loggerhead, green, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley. Many of the turtles they’ve helped have been hit by boats or became stuck in nets. Turtles also come in if they have tumors caused by water pollution, or if they swallow trash that causes them harm, such as balloons, plastic bags and hooks. The released turtles are microchipped, according to the tour guide, and she shared that a recently released turtle is currently in Cuba. On the turtle shells you’ll see then names of the turtles, who are named by the people who found them.

At one of the larger tanks outside, we were able to feed the turtles (by throwing food in; we were cautioned to never put our hands in the tanks). Afterward, we returned to the gift shop to pick up an ornament.

The 90-minute or so program is well worth the admission price. I highly recommend a visit to the Turtle Hospital.

Have you been to the Turtle Hospital or the Florida Keys?

01/25/2017

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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Victoria and I spent a windy day in Clearwater at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for being a filming location for the movie “Dolphin Tale.” You’ll learn much about the movie and Winter, the dolphin who played herself in it, when you visit.

We arrived at Clearwater Marine Aquarium about 10:30 a.m., just after it opened. A nearby church served as an alternate parking location during construction outside the aquarium. I wished I had brought a stroller to carry Victoria, because walking with her takes longer than I have patience for. But I quickly learned it was a good idea to ditch the stroller, because the walkways inside are narrow, and you encounter quite a few stairs as you maneuver around the aquarium. I had to carry Victoria off and on to walk into and around the building. (I later noticed an elevator.)

We found just a few people in line to buy my ticket, which was about $21. Victoria got in for free, as do all children younger than 3. The cashier asked if I wanted to wear the orange wristband to enter, and I was confused by the question. “Sometimes they want to wear it,” she said, referring to kids. I didn’t think twice about it; I just put it on. Victoria immediately wanted the wristband. It was a rookie mom mistake, but she quickly got over it.

As you walk toward the entrance, a photographer asks you to take goofy photos that you can purchase inside. When in Rome, right? I didn’t actually buy the photos but we enjoyed taking them.

The entrance leads into the gift shop and an intensive care unit to the right, where you can observe as animals are treated. We instead headed to the fish and shark tanks. We then walked upstairs to see the turtle talk that was going on, followed by the otter presentation. We couldn’t really find a suitable spot for Victoria to see the otter well, so we moved on to the turtle tank, which is outside and down a flight of stairs. I had to lift Victoria up to see the turtles swim, because the viewing portals are much taller than a toddler is. We had some time to ourselves to admire the turtles as they swam. We then went back upstairs to the stranding deck, where a dolphin presentation was about to begin. This is where we met Nicholas, who lost his mother and never learned how to survive in the wild. It was incredibly windy on this day, and the canopy overhead sounded like it was going to blow off, but it was still a pleasant day overall as we sat on the bleachers.

Next we walked over to another dolphin presentation taking place inside. We also walked around to the snack bar outside the entrance to grab a snack and drink some water. After a quick break, we walked inside to grab a souvenir, an ornament that says Clearwater Marine Aquarium, as part of our tradition of collecting ornaments from places we visit. I was ready to call it a day, but I heard a turtle had just been rescued that day, so we walked over to the animal clinic to watch it be treated. It was amazing to see!

I then realized we had completely missed the sting rays, so we paid them a visit before heading out. Victoria had a wonderful time and talked about the turtles for the rest of the day, so I’d call it a successful adventure!

Have you been to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or seen the movie “Dolphin Tale”?

01/16/2017

Phoenix Hike: White Tank Mountains

When you have time in Phoenix, you’d be crazy to not spend some of it hiking. One beautiful area to consider visiting is the White Tank Mountains Regional Park. It’s about a 35-minute drive from central Phoenix in Waddell, but it’s worth the trek. It’s an expansive park with opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, picnics, mountain biking and exploring.

Last time I visited the park was when I lived in Phoenix. Graham and I had hiked the Waterfall Trail after a rainfall, one of the few times you’ll actually see water flowing. This time we chose the 1.3-mile Black Rock Trail, which connects with the Waterfall Trail. You can do either the short or long loop, and walked the long option. You’ll be surrounded by barrel cacti, saguaros, and more desert flora. The hike isn’t too difficult, so anyone can do it. The park is also large enough that even though you share the trails with families, baby boomers, mountain bikers and more, you don’t feel too crowded, as you do on other popular mountains. You could spend the entire day at the park and feel entertained, refreshed and energized, which makes the visit well worth the $6 per car entrance fee.

Of course, there are numerous options for trail hikes. You can hike 8 miles or half a mile; it’s up to you and your desired level of exercise. Some trails also have markers that show archaeological artifacts or areas, which you should admire but never touch. (Don’t deface or take them home, either!) Just enjoy being outdoors in gorgeous weather (assuming you are visiting in the winter).

Be on the lookout for wildlife, rock stacks and desert flora as well. You will see many varieties of cacti, including the barrel cactus. whose curved needles Native Americans used as fish hooks. (I learned that neat fact on a park sign.)

Learn a lesson from the towering saguaros at White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Stand tall and shine!

Have you visited White Tank Mountain Regional Park or Phoenix in general?

Waterfall at White Tank Mountain Regional Park

01/09/2017

A Phoenix Hike

Dreamy Draw Recreation Area

The No. 1 activity I had planned during our weekend in Phoenix was a hike, even if it wasn’t too challenging or long. I longed for the Phoenix sunshine, especially as we made our way to the Chicago airport with a real feel in the negative digits. I didn’t pack any jackets or sweaters for Phoenix, which was wishful thinking considering it does get chilly in the mornings and evenings. I ended up wearing Graham’s Cubs hoodie or his jackets when I couldn’t take the desert “cold.” Victoria spent some time with her great-grandma while Graham and I took a quick trip to the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, our old stomping grounds. It’s not the most impressive mountain area to hike, like Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak, but it was our hiking spot. It’s also huge, you could spend all day or multiple days exploring the vast network of trails, which are shared among hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. We would hike here frequently when we lived in Phoenix, usually during summer storms. We called ourselves storm chasers, in fact.

We went to our old sunset-viewing area during the early afternoon to get a glimpse of the city. We were also treated to a coyote sighting.

I was quite comfortable and cool in my new workout gear, which was a Christmas gift from my older sister. She knows the way to a fitness lover’s heart! Plus, all I ever want for the holiday is athletic wear to help me reach my goals. She bought me an outfit from Fabletics** in my favorite color, purple.

Fabletics is offering a first outfit for $10 until Jan. 10, 2017. **

The tank has side band detail.

Took this photo of the back of the tank after the hike.

The top is the Theresa Tunic Tank, which covers your assets, if you know what I mean. I appreciate that because sometimes I feel self-conscious when I wear athleisure clothing out and about. This tank is a little longer on me because I have a short torso, but I think it would be flattering on many body types. Also, this would be ideal for yoga, because during certain poses your top tends to move about and expose your midriff, and this could help with that. It’s a racerback tank as well.

The print on the leggings is my favorite. It’s called the Metallic Pebble print, but it reminds me of my cosmic inspired Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 running shoes, which I wore for the hike. The size small leggings fit perfectly.

Shop my Fabletics outfit **

Shop this look through Fabletics**.

08/11/2016

Camping in Michigan | Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Graham and I love to camp. We camped together at Fossil Creek in Arizona for the first time after just a few weeks of dating and we’ve been doing it ever since. When we lived in Phoenix we would often camp once a month or so, but we had yet to camp in the Midwest since moving to Chicago in March 2015. We finally got a chance to remedy that when Graham had three consecutive days off work for the first time in months. We packed up our things (and the pups!) and headed to Michigan to find dispersed camping.

We do not like crowded campsites, and we had heard that you can camp anywhere on public lands as long as there are no posted signs prohibiting it. We chose Manistee National Forest as our destination and set off from Chicago on a five-hour drive. Graham and I kept asking each other if we were in Costa Rica when we saw the lush forests along the highway. It reminded me of the greenery we saw on our trip.

When we arrived at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, we didn’t immediately know where to camp. We drove around surveying the area before deciding to keep driving on the forest road. We drove north on 5356 until we found a spot near the Lake Michigan Recreation Area. While we had campers nearby, it was not on a developed campground and we had plenty of privacy.

We were so proud of ourselves for having out campsite set up so early in the day. When we camped in Arizona we had always rushed to beat the sunset. It was a nice change to have the entire day off and free to do whatever we wanted. We ate lunch and then set off to check out the Lake Michigan Recreation Area park. To park, you just need to pay $5 and deposit the fee into an envelope and drop it in the box. We walked over to check out the swimming area when we realized dogs aren’t allowed in the swimming area. We decided to walk up the stairs leading to the viewpoint instead. We later walked north from the park to a spot for a swim away from other people.

That night was spent relaxing and catching up. It seems as though I don’t see Graham a lot even though we live together because of our crazy schedules. I loved spending that quality time with no one else there besides the dogs. Dinner was our version of Mexican street corn plus black-bean burger patties on a bed of salad (from a bag) and topped with Colby-Monterrey cheese and salsa. We just hung out. I had limited to no service, so I was not distracted by social media at all. It was perfect.

The next day we drove to a nearby country store to get Graham his morning coffee, which was only 50 cents! We made egg burritos for breakfast and then set off for a hike at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. This park is dog-friendly so Taylor and Capone could join us on a hike to the beach. Each way was about 2 miles. We chose a less-frequented trail than most people seemed to be doing, but we’re OK with that. It led us to a section of the beach that was not crowded at all, and we swam and played with the dogs for hours. The water was clear, cool and refreshing, and I could not believe the views.

Later that afternoon, we headed back on another trail that was on top of a hill. You can see impressive views of the lake and the forest and we did not see one person on that trail. It was even a little nerve-racking because we didn’t know where the trail was heading at first. We later discovered that it rejoins the main trail but was a more scenic route. What a wonderful surprise!

We finished that day back at Lake Michigan Recreation Area, where we made dinner. I had black bean and vegetable soup and Graham had canned pasta, and each had a quesadilla. We then watched the sunset from the top of a hill above the beach. After all, Graham says one of his goals in life is to watch the sunset over as many bodies of water as possible.

I was in awe of the fact that the sun sets around 9. I had forgotten that Michigan is an hour ahead of Chicago and thus has so much sunlight late in the evening. It was incredible. As a lifelong Arizonan who never had to observe daylight-saving time, that is new to me.

Sunday was spent relaxing and cleaning up before returning to Chicago. The drive back took a lot longer –6 hours — because of construction and accidents. We were exhausted, dirty and tired of being on the road, but we had a wonderful time in Michigan. I can’t wait to go back!

Watch a video of our Michigan camping trip!

Brookfield Zoo

Graham and I have wanted to go camping for months now, but our schedules haven’t allowed it. The next best thing we can do is explore a place we haven’t been to yet in the Chicago area. Last weekend we took a mini road trip to Brookfield Zoo to check out their grounds. That may sound weird, but Graham works in the turf industry and he’s fascinated by anything to do with gardening, outdoors, nature, animals and sports turf. Basically, the Floras are obsessed with flora.

We just didn’t quite feel up to it after we heard about the Orlando shooting. After thinking about it for hours, we decided to go anyway to make the most of our one day off together.

It took us about an hour to drive there. The GPS directions were a little off. One second it told us to turn left, and the next it said right, but we discovered that you can just rely on zoo signs once you exit the highway. The reason the directions seemed off was that you park on one side of the street and then take a short little tunnel to the other side, where the zoo entrance (North Gate) was.

I was impressed by the size of the zoo. We spent four and a half hours there and didn’t even see everything. You could easily roam the grounds for an entire day. Graham and I quickly discovered we were one of the few couples there without children. We decided to stick with the general admission vs. the tickets that included six additional attractions. We contemplated getting membership because we have a feeling we’ll be back soon and with more family members.

I liked that many of the animal enclosures were larger than I’ve seen at other zoos. Of course, nothing is as good as what they’d have in the wild, but at least these animals seemed to be able to explore a larger area. The Tropic World habitat was especially impressive.

We witnessed two memorable animals moments: the black rhino sprayed the wall (and he could have sprayed us), which would have been a story to tell, and the pygmy hippo decided to come out of the water and take a No. 2 that cleared the surrounding area immediately. It was fascinating.

We walked around until I couldn’t take it anymore. I wore the wrong shoes — flats — which was the worst decision I could have made. In my defense, I was not in the best head space when I got ready. We enjoyed the zoo regardless and plan to go back soon.

Have you been to Brookfield Zoo? What did you think?

03/31/2016

Tortuga Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Our first stop in Costa Rica after flying into San Jose was Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero. It’s a village on the Caribbean side of the country that is known for the turtles who nest and hatch on its beaches. The village is only accessible by boat or plane. Our options were to rent a car, drive to a nearby village and take a boat, or we could take a 30-minute $90 flight (for both of us) to Tortuguero. We did have the option to take a guided tour with everything included, but we prefer to be on our own.

The Nature Air flight made getting to the lodge extremely easy. We called the lodge the day before we landed and told them we’d be arriving at 7 a.m. They said they’d have a boat waiting for us at the air strip. When our flight landed, we deboarded the plane to see a young man, who asked if I was Mrs. Flora. He was there to help us with our bags and escort us to the boat that was waiting. The boat took us on a two-minute ride across the river to the lodge. How convenient is that?!

We were early for check-in and our room wasn’t ready yet, so we headed to the lodge’s restaurant for breakfast. We ate al fresco while admiring the scenery. I opted for the gallo pinto breakfast.

After breakfast, we checked into our room, which was located in the building next to the office. On one side of our room we had a view of the river, and on the other we had a view of the grounds, which led to a nature preserve area that is part of the property. We received a map of the trails on the property; they allow you to hike on your own and see monkeys, birds, iguanas and tiny dart frogs. Guided nature walks are held every morning around 6 a.m. and you can also book private walks at any time. For your convenience, rain boots, walking sticks and maps are available at the start of the trail (behind the office). It was such a treat being able to hike whenever we wanted. The hikes allow you to see animals in their habitat, but the iguanas weren’t shy about roaming the grounds.

We hiked every day we were there. It was so beautiful and serene. We could start our hikes right outside our door, and we roamed every trail on the property several times a day.

Each morning, we awoke to the sounds of howler monkeys, which the lodge called nature’s alarm clock. You really have no choice but to adjust your schedule here because the lodge rooms have no windows, only screens. Every room has hammocks and chairs outside your door where you can sit with your coffee and watch the sunrise. You are open to nature, and this trip is about relaxing and exploring. You won’t find a TV or A/C in the room; the lodge considers itself eco-friendly. We found that we were OK with the fans that were provided. At any time we could ask for ice from the bar or a wet towel.

Another nice perk is that free snacks are offered every night before dinner. You can lounge in the bar area and grub on hummus and chips or whatever they provide that night. Coffee and tea are always ready as well, along with cookies or crackers.

The property also has a pool and hammock area. Boats wait at the dock and regularly take guests into town. You can also book a water taxi if the lodge boats aren’t running. If at any time you want to go to the beach on the other side of the air strip, you can ask for a boat to take you and they will gladly do so. When you want to return to the lodge, you simply wave your arms in the air. People in the office will see you and send a boat to go get you.

Various tours are offered by the lodge. We booked a nature tour ($100 per person) on the rivers and canals and when we returned, we had lemonade and wet towels waiting for us. It was a much-needed treat on a hot, sunny day.

The weather tends to be unpredictable. It might start off raining but turn into a gorgeous sunny day. Or vice versa. That’s why those rain boots are necessary! The lodge has umbrellas and bug spray waiting outside the office for guests to use at any time. You can sit and watch the rain from chairs that are set up with a view of the river.

The service was excellent. When our transportation out of Tortuguero left us, one worker called multiple times to straighten out the situation, and another waited with us and tried to console me. I really appreciated their kindness. I would definitely stay at the Tortuga Lodge again.

Have you been to Costa Rica? What was your favorite thing to do?

Research**:

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