WATER, TAMALES & BIRDS

This tour combines the "Big Three" - education, food and nature. We'll start out at a world leader in ground water replenishment - the Orange County Water District. We'll do a 90-minute tour of this impressive $1 billion facility, seeing first hand how sewer water is treated through reverse osmosis, UV light and micro-filters to be pumped back into the groundwater table. The infrastructure equipment is amazing to see first hand. You'll receive a "swag" bag at the end and have a chance to drink the treated water ("from toilet to tap"). I did and am still alive! Beaming with pride that our County is on the cutting edge in water treatment, we'll move on to a delicious lunch at the Mercado Hidalgo - the largest Mexican food hall I've seen north of the border. The place is brimming with pride and great products. Hoffy will give you some Spanish lessons and a map, and you'll be on you own to buy tortillas, sip tequila, try some "tacos de birria", and savor some delicious churros. Honestly, the food is top- shelf and deliciosa, and the colorful signs and merchandise enhance the experience. On the way home, we'll stop at the wonderful Sea and Sage Audubon Center in the San Joaquin Marsh by for a bird walk, talk and tour. Bring a sun hat and binoculars.