I’m starting the third book! It’s going to be set at a marine rescue center, so this past weekend, Superman, Rene and I went to the Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Laguna for a little book research.
We saw all these cute little guys:
(More photos on the next page!) The sea lions here have made it out of their intensive-care units (where they are typically bottle-fed until they’ve gained enough strength) and have gained enough weight and strength to compete for fish, so the MMRC lets them practice in these pools. Once they’re strong enough to compete, they get released back into the wild.
These guys below were all “friends” but were too pushy with the other sea lions so they got their own pen:
There were lots of interactive displays and educational plaques all around the tiny outdoor center:
There are volunteers who wander around and answer questions and tell stories. I gathered lots of information and am excited to write about these centers in my next book.
I’m sure I’ll be making a few more trips to the center for inspiration and research. It’s also a fun way to spend a weekend afternoon!
Laurie this looks like a fabulous place to set your book! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!!!
Thanks, Tammy! I’m excited to start writing! 🙂
I’ve never been to the Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Laguna Beach and have been wanting to go there! Your post reminded me of it and I’ll need to be sure to check it out this summer. I thought it would be a good place to take visiting guests.
Good luck on book #3! I can’t wait to read book #1!
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Oh, I think that would be wonderful to see. You are so lucky to live by the ocean…
Looks like fun research! I am excited to see how it spills out of your pretty little head! I am gonna be sad when the third book is done…..well, until your next deal, that is!
Carrie, yes, it’s interesting to see. It’s very TINY right now — you can see the whole place in about 5 minutes. But they’re expanding (almost done!), and I hope to go back in a couple of weeks and take more pictures that show the whole area. (One of the volunteers even said there’s going to be a platform on the second floor where you can take aerial shots of the pools, so I’d love to do that.) Anyway, we combined the visit with a trip to Laguna for wahoo’s tacos and a visit to an old record store (where “Wave” works) on PCH! So I recommend that, too. 🙂 Now, go have that baby of yours!!!!
Patti, if you come visit me, I’ll add it to the list of places I want to take you! 🙂
Debi, thanks so much! I can’t wait to have you beta-read this one, too. 🙂 But I plan to keep writing, either in this series or starting another, so I’ll find plenty more subjects!