Tempe, AZ, Day Two

Ginger is settling in nicely. 

When we picked up Leia today, Ginger was snuggled under Leia’s blankets and refused to come out. 

She was fascinated by the snakes last night, and is curled into Leia’s side tonight. 

I think she’s still feeling the drugs from the plane ride - yesterday her pupils were the size of a dime, today they’re almost back to normal. Happy Ginger, happy Leia.

Leia wanted us to have breakfast at Butters Restaurant in Scottsdale - OMGGGGG some of the best food we’ve ever had. 

Plus we had a window seat to watch the wind storm come thru (we were on the fringe of things) followed by pouring rain. Leia keeps laughing at us because we’re amazed at how much water - rain-wise and river-lake-wise - there is in this desert!

The rest of the afternoon was at OdySea Aquarium, also in Scottsdale. 

I thought it odd when the ticket lady said ‘check out the bathrooms, then head upstairs.’ 

Y’all! They had windows looking into one of the tanks, 

with sharks swimming by every few seconds. 

And fishbowl lights (with real fish) on the first floor ceiling. So cool. 

OdySea has the biggest collection of different turtles I’ve ever seen. Most are rescues who couldn’t survive in the wild. 

Leia especially liked the Paddlefish 

Paddlefish with wide-open mouth

and the Ripsaw Catfish.

My favs, as always, are the jelly fish (cuttlefish?) displays, 

including a new one to me - 

the Upside-down Jellyfish. 

Hard to photograph in the dim light tho. 

Tomorrow is the Museum of Illusions, 

Monday we’re taking Leia and her friends to Medieval Times for dinner 

 The rays kept swerving just out of Leia’s reach 

and Tuesday we fly home. 

It’s been a whirlwind but so much fun. (Want to know what I forgot to pack? My 🤬 glasses. Regular and sun. I’m blaming Ginger…) 

 Sloth fingers

More pics: 

 Athena ⬆️⬇️

 Mr Toucan had sooooo many toys hanging in his enclosure 

 Street car runs right in front of Leia’s apartment