Travelog for: Okuma

Hi Mom,

We said goodbye to Cheerio and hugged her one by one.  We will miss her a lot but she will have a wonderful time in, or is it, with Yosemite.

Your brave lion,

Okuma

DuDu gave Squab and me an assignment today.

All of a sudden it started getting dark too early in the day. We wondered if a ghost was tying to get in through the window.  It was like the end of the world.  DuDu sent us outside to take photos.

Don't worry, Mom, we are okay now.

Thanks, Mom, for finding me another nice host in the U.S.  We don't have to fill out a customs form.  When Noodles saw the map where I'm going he wanted to stow away because it's nearer where his species, the snowy owl, nests.   My next host said it is okay, the more the merrier, so we looked at the map with Miss Kitty's help, had a goodbye coffee with the gang and both of us jumped into a travel box.  We are on our way to new adventures.  Uh oh, maybe we do have a stowaway from Stow Lake.

See ya soon,
Okuma
King of the Jungle

Hello!
Whew! Have you ever been mailed off in a little box? Well, it isn't as glamorous as you'd think! 

Noodles and I had quite an interesting trip, and here we are on the other side of the USA!



Our new host welcomed us right away. I think we'll have great fun together! 



I was ravenous after the long trip, so we made an omelet. Yummy!



We also met a whole group of Toy Voyagers that were also staying here.



I wonder what kinds of things there are to see and experience here...... I guess I'll find out!

Love,
Your Okuma

Hi!
Today we met up with another host in the area Chloe09 and her TVs. We decided to go into the city! How exciting!

First, we all piled into the car. (We got to sit up front! )





The city was very impressive!



We passed the Target Center-- lots of games and performances are held there.


We also passed the Metrodome--- it's a football stadium. The Minnesota State team is the Vikings. I think the "Lions" would be a more fearsome name!


Finally, we arrive at our destination: The Como Zoo!




I know what these funny creatures are called, but Host mom asked me NOT to eat them. I was just going to have a taste.....



Finally, we get to the exhibit I am most excited for: The cats!


Here's one!








I think my fellow cats should be free! Host mom agreed, but said there wasn't much we could do for them.

Look, Mom!
I found this funny coin machine. I'm going to make you a coin!


The jungle exhibit makes me feel right at home.


We stopped at a local diner called "Snuffy's" for lunch. We all shared a basket of chili fries and a chocolate malt. Yummy~!



We made one more stop for the day-- at a car wash!



It's starting!







Cool!


It's been a very fun day! I know I'll have good dreams tonight.
~Okuma

We said a fond farewell to Priscilla today! She's leaving for my home country of Germany. Safe travels, friend! 

Good Morning!



We're going to watch a movie.
What should we pick?





We decided to watch "Pocahontas". What a beautiful princess!



Noodles and I shared a big breakfast bowl of cereal.



Yum Yum! Gobble Gobble! Ahem! Excuse me!



It's a very windy, hot day! We decided to stop at a lake.



I sure do like the wind through my mane!



We all shared a combo pack at Taco Bell for lunch.



Shaunee is being funny on my head. 
I'm such a tough lion; I could hold up 20 toy voyagers!



Bye for now, mom!
~Okuma

Hello everyone!

We are taking a day trip to Duluth, Minnesota. It's known as the Twin Port City. I wonder what kinds of things we'll get to see......

Only one way to find out! Let's hop in the car!



Host mom lets me sit in her lap.
I asked her to make sure I don't go flying out the window; I want a good view..... but the highway sure is fast~!



(Three hours later)
We're almost there!



We stopped at this information center for directions and a bite to eat.



Whoa! The view up here is fantastic!



Host mom lent me fifty cents to work this strange viewing device. 





Finally we are here in the heart of the city! We go to the edge of Lake Superior in an area called "Canal Park".



We're having lunch at Grandma's. Strange name for a restaurant, right? I wonder whose Grandma it really is...... 



We rented a funny-looking bike for two and traveled down this scenic pier.







We all got to ride in the big basket in front. Good thing there was room for all of us-- we were quite a large group of TVs.



You can see the famous Lift Bridge in the background!





Noodles, Eloy, and I climbed the platform for a better view. I like Eloy because we are both fearsome cats!





Group Picture time!





We stopped in this cute shop. Guess what? I bought a small souvenir for you. Just a little something.



Look at this cool bridge-- I found it all by myself!



Here's one of the large freight ships that just came in.





They do boat tours here, too! But host mom said it was getting late, and that we'd have to drive awhile more to get to Camp.



We're all going to Camp on vacation for a WHOLE week! I hear there's a beach!

Bye for now.
~Okuma

Here we are at Camp! 
and the beach! 



What a fantastic day for a swim.



I even like it in the shade here. Feels like home to a jungle cat like me!



They don't make life jackets in my size, so host mom doesn't let me take this kayak out on the lake.....  but I really want to! 



Happy Fourth of July, Mom! It's a big deal over here-- being America's Independence day and all. We lit off a bunch of fireworks, but sadly, no pictures!
~Okuma

We are going somewhere fun today! Can you guess where?



The Mall of America! It's the largest indoor shopping complex in North America.



Each level of the parking ramp had a State name. We got "Nevada".



Here we are!



Where should we go first?



Look, Mum! Lego Land~!





This is one of the even arenas. There's nothing going on right now......



Noodles and I shared some Chinese food from Panda Express. Yummy!



Can you see the Minnesota store in the background?





This is my host's favorite spot: the Disney store!



Look at this funny plushie:



Whew! Busy day shopping at the MOA. We got home in time to make a pizza for dinner.



The end. ..... for now.

Yesterday, my host's roommate went to Valleyfair (a huge amusement park), and she brought us home a new friend!

It's furry.......


and white.......


and it's a giant......



GORILLA!





We've decided to name him "Turk" from the movie Tarzan. He'd make the world record for the largest Toy Voyager! Hahaha!

Hello! We went on a small adventure today.

We walked around a small downtown city!



This is the court house.







Just a mini outing with my host mom. 

We're going on another road trip! Summer is the time for trips here.



We stopped in Moose Lake, Minnesota. Look at this GIANT moose we got to ride!





Cool, huh? We're going to a wedding! More pictures to come.
~Okuma

Hello!

We took a super cool trip this week to......

Lake Superior~!





I could sit and look out at the peaceful lake all day....







Don't worry! Host mom was VERY careful when putting us out here-- we were very safe.





We're making a pyramid with Noodles on top. Hahaha!







This is where we are going to roast marshmallows tonight!





This is the little bridge near the cabin we are renting for the night.



Aren't we a great looking group? :P

We went to explore an Island today!



(Not actually the boat we took..... but it was heading out to Madeline Island on Lake Superior, so we took a picture.)





Only got a couple of pictures before the battery died...... sorry! Host mom is going to make it up to me on Thursday---- we have something special planned.

Look forward to it! Miss you~!