"Is inland different from the beach?" The sea lion was curious.

"Of Course."

"Can you tell me how to get there?"

"Hmm, you may find a small town close to the beach. However you must be a brave and hardy walker. You can't swim all the way there," the seagull warned.

*******************************************************************

The sea lion, very determined, followed the seagull's directions. In mid-December, he and the seagull started inland. He swam if there was a water way, but climbed and walked through most small hills. He was exhausted and almost collapsed. However he smiled when he dreamed he was exploring an exciting new world.

*******************************************************************

They travelled great distances in one week. On December 30, 1997, they startled residents of Woodbridge, California, when they pulled into town on the Mokelumne River, more than eighty miles inland. The seagull left the sea lion alone. The sea lion lounged below the local dam, searched for better fishing grounds where he enjoyed a banquet of fish and became a local tourist attraction.

An article headed "Anyone Missing a Sea Lion?" was published in the local newspaper. After a spirited contest, residents named him Mokey. Two weeks later, Mokey cut short his vacation and returned home.

"Smells good. Is it a turkey baking ?!"