Dolphins
Greetings to everyone.
We took Xavier to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS). The website boasted of dolphins up close. We thought Xavier might like to get splashed.
We entered in through the gift shop, paid for the shows and tour, then entered into the auditorium. We watched a cockatoo do tricks. We learned about alligators, which Xavier got to pet. We learned about lizards. Xavier got to pet the star of that show also.
We got ushered into the back exhibit, where we washed our hands so we could pet starfish, sea urchins and horseshoe crabs. We were there nearly two hours and still had not seen a single mammal, much less a marine mammal.
Finally, we were led to the very back, to the outdoor pools where the dolphins were. At last, actual marine mammals! We watched the show, and Xavier watched it intently.
After the dolphins, we were led to the sea lion show. Xavier sat still through this show also, even giggling at some of the show's one-star antics.
The tour ended in the gift shop, where we bought a kitschy toy Xavier liked. We finished the morning with lunch and a nap.