Staycations California

Laser Tag

Imagine being over fifty years of age and within a matter of seconds you are magically transformed into an energetic eight year old kid. That is exactly what happens when you play Laser Tag.

Laser Tag Galaxy is a new addition to the Westfield Plaza Mall located just off of the 78 Freeway in Carlsbad. Nestled right next to the new Regal Cinemas, the facility houses a dark room with walls, mazes, and hiding places for you to enjoy the experience.

Equipped with the laser gun, your goal is to shoot the other players in a timed eight-minute game. We played three individual games and one where we separated into teams.

After a brief instruction, you are let into the room and soon there is a countdown designating the beginning of the game.   That’s when the adrenaline kicks in and the eight year old emerges! Everyone starts running around like jack rabbits, although, if you were able to see it from above, it probably looks more like a battle in slow motion.

Each gun is equipped with a sensor that you actual shoot at, not the person. Your gun lights up red when you are shot and renders it inactive for five seconds. So it is best to move around when you are shot so you are not a sitting duck.

There were six of us and we were able to play with just our group for a few games.   One game they let a couple local marines play with us and it is no surprise when they announced that they had the best score.

You also find out a little about your friends in this game. One friend was a sneaky thing, always creeping up behind you and blasting you away. Another had a score that was double the rest of us, a good shot? Not sure but I was always running into her so it meant she was always on the move.   Staycationer JoJo who set up the event was a sitting duck as you could see her bright blond hair across the room even in the low light.

The lone male in the group was stealth and you barely saw him until it was too late.

I also kept getting shot but never saw who was getting me. I later found out the culprit. She kept shooting me and then quietly hiding after, I never saw her coming or going.   Unlike me who laughed every time I shot someone and cursed every time I was shot.   You could hear me across the room. Although I was breaking cursing rules with my version of “Dang it”, I couldn’t help it.

When you think of Laser Tag, you think of a kid’s game. Like it is something only kids do. I am here to tell you that adults will have fun too.

It will bring you back to your youth when you actually played tag in the street. Remember running around, laughing, giggling?   That is what you will do with the harmless gun in your hand and all your friends running around trying to get you or hide from you.

The eight minutes went fast but no worries, we played 3 more times!

I am sure there is a Laser Tag close in a mall or in an amusement park area near you so give it a try no matter what your age.

If you pass by a mirror while playing, you might see a younger version of yourself looking back at you smiling, laughing, and full of energy. However, it’s just you, the fun-loving adult enjoying a brief moment in time.

Also, don’t look too long in that mirror, there may one of your sneaky friends lurking around the corner ready to take you out!!

Google Laser Tag and find one near you if you can.   You won’t be disappointed.

 

Sorry no photos on this event.

Here is a list of festivals held in California.  We have been to qiote a few and they are always a great time!!!

We were driving by the Oceanside Airport when we saw a group gearing up to go skydiving on a clear Saturday afternoon. We decided to stop by and watch the brave souls as they prepared for their thrilling adventure which will take them far above the ground.   I saw Staycationer JoJo starting to sweat as she was recalling two years ago when she got gutsy enough to try skydiving in Jamul.   Even though she was happy to try it, I don’t think it is something she cares to do again.

However, it is still a popular adventure judging by the lines of people waiting for their turn at the Oceanside Airport.

GoJump Oceanside caters to the experienced skydiver as well as first timers. As I was watching people get ready, I didn’t see any nervous faces. I was surprised by that. I personally would have worn nervousness and pure fear all over my face.

After they had their gear prepared, the group all headed toward the plane and were crammed in like little happy sardines or scared sardines if it would have been me.

The plane took off and headed toward the Pacific Ocean. I am not sure but it appeared that they jumped out over the water and the wind took them back inland to the airport which is probably about 3 miles from the coast.

All landed smoothly and the next group prepared for the ride of their life.

In their brochure they claim to have the friendliest staff in the business. I can attest to this, from what I saw they were super friendly as they prepared and prepped their new passengers.

Skydiving isn’t my cup a tea but if I ever did want to try it, Oceanside Airport is where I would go.

Check out GoJump-Oceanside.com

San Diego Safari Park

For Christmas I was given an annual pass for the San Diego Safari Park. The annual pass is great because you can go anytime you want and only spend a few hours there if you choose because you can always come back another day. Parking is also included in the pass so the price of gas is all you’ll need. The San Diego Zoo is also included in the package.

I have to admit I was put off at first off by the prices of food and drink at the park, but then I realized that the park is non-profit so all money earned goes back to the upkeep of the animals and the park. However, you can bring in your own food and there are plenty of picnic areas around the park.

The park is 1,800 acres in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California. It is home to a large variety of wild animals including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. You will see elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, lemurs, antelopes, lions, tigers, cheetahs, gorillas, and more.

Safari Tours
We just explored half of the park and saved the other half for another day. We also plan on doing some of their extra safaris which are not included in the price of admission. Included in the general admission is the Africa Tram Safari which takes you to the Africa plains for a 30-minute open air truck ride. The other safaris cost a little more because you get a much closer look and personal tour of the animals. As an example, I saw in the distance one of the trucks stopped and it appeared that they were feeding the giraffes which to me would be a great experience. The tram ride will take you farther out into the park to see places where the walking trail doesn’t go.

The zip line platform can be seen way up on the hill, giving its thrill seekers a view of the whole park as they speed down the line. The Jungle Rope Safari looks fun too but a little bit of work for my taste as you traverse through the trees on a series of rope bridges, tightropes, swing logs, etc.   For your safety, you are clipped in with a safety harness and given instructions before you start. There are also behind the scenes safaris as well as overnight stays, dinner events, and more. There is also a giant hot air balloon that takes you up 400 feet to get bird’s eye view of the park.

High on the hill sits the zip line platform

The Park
Gazing over the park from one of the many outlooks, it actually looks like you are looking over the plains of Africa or somewhere else. Most of the park is wide open with enclosures to separate some of the animals. You don’t want your kids viewing a lion chasing after a cute little antelope. There is a mix of different species scattered over the plains and fields, but they are animals that naturally get along with each other in the wild.

Rhinos, antelopes, etc. share the same home.

The Animals
The gorilla enclosure is always interesting to watch. Gorillas are fascinating to me maybe because they are the closest thing to humans. Yet they cross the line between being cute while young and then scary looking when they are older. They looked content relaxing in the shade while getting fed bananas from the zookeepers.   I giggled thinking that one looked like me in the morning, hair standing straight up, eyes half closed, and eating a banana for breakfast. I am hoping that is the only similarity.

The lions were all asleep but I was able to snap a few shots when they opened their eyes for a brief moment. I didn’t make it out to the tigers this time but will next visit.

The new Lemur Walk exhibit lets you walk on a path through their natural habitat. Evidently, they can come right up to you sometimes; however, as cute as they are, you are instructed by the park employee not to touch them. Sadly, the lemurs weren’t interested in us this day as they relaxed in the shadows.

A cute little lemur

Even though they don’t do much except stand there, the elephants are always fun to observe. A few younger elephants were in the enclosure and in the distance you could see a few huge males.

We decided that we had seen enough for one day but will come back to see the animals and exhibits that we missed this time.

All the sleeping animals made me tired and I just wanted to sit in the shade away from the sun drenched San Pasqual Valley.  Also, for some reason, I had a craving for a banana smoothie. Don’t know what that is all about but still enjoyed my day at the San Diego Safari Park.

www.sdzsafaripark.org