More than 20 San Diego Eagles and members of their families ventured out to Alpine, Calif., in East County Saturday to visit the exotic animal sanctuary “Lions, Tigers & Bears.”

The group went on a tour of the facility after viewing a video that told the story of the sanctuary and the sad plight of too many exotic animals in this country and throughout the world.

We saw the lions, tigers, and bears as promised, but also jaguars, leopards, bobcats, and other animals that had been rescued from awful circumstances and given the right to spend the rest of their lives in comfort and safety.

Visitors also find safety, as each animal enclosure is surrounded by two layers of fencing, including an exterior layer that is electrified. The fencing makes photography of the animals somewhat problematic, but it is the point of this sanctuary that these animals are not on exhibit.

Below are photos from the visit. You can see much better photos and find out much more about the organization at Lions, Tigers & Bears.

A brown bear being fed.

Grizzly

A tired Himalayan bear

The King

White lion

Following the tour, most of the Eagles gathered at the nearby Mike Hess Brewing tasting room for repast and refreshments.

Twenty-plus San Diego Eagles, friends, and family members gathered Saturday, March 19, at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in Escondido for a hike. We hiked the “Way Up” Trail, which, true to its name, brought the group up 650 feet in 1.4 miles.

At hike’s end.

At the summit, with Olivenhain Reservoir in background.

The trail was rarely level, with a nine percent grade overall. All but one in the group, however, made it to the top. Your author, who thought it was going to be more of a “stroll,” paused at what his health app said was “28 flights” and rejoined the group on the downward trip.

View from author’s rest stop.

On the way down.

Post-hike, most of the group gathered again at the Plan 9 Alehouse in Escondido for refreshments.

Among those attending, for whom we have complete names and class years, were: Shereen Attisha ’92, P’24; Stephen Covelluzzi ’00, Karl Utzman and Myles and Asher Covelluzzi; Julie Croce ’93; Bill McDonald ’68; Justin Niles ’09; Walid Soussou ’95 and Kathleen and Mazen Soussou; Lissa Tsu ’00 and Margot Tsu. Also participating were Lori Mahler, Mike Ross, Brian Cadigan, Marie Morse, and Meredith, Adeline, and Alice Anderson.

Look for more hikes coming up.