The Zoo

Today, Brad and I took Ben and Anna to the Asheboro Zoo. We had the best trip ever. I never expected things to go so well with a three year old and a two year old (who would be missing her afternoon nap). We were there from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Brad wasn't sure if Ben and Anna would be able to make it through the entire zoo without burning out on us, but we saw every exhibit. Starting in North America, we saw the polar bears, tortoises, alligators, cougars, sea lions, puffins, otters, snakes, frogs, fish, wolves, etc. Brad helped push Anna in her wheel chair (he on the long stretches, and she when we would reach an exhibit), and I pushed Ben in some rental buggy contraption. We took a short stop for some Cookies n' Creme Dippin' Dots before checking out the indoor Sonora Desert which featured road runners, ocelots, reptiles, bats, and cacti. By this time we were ready for lunch at the Junction Plaza and then we hopped the tram to the entrance of Africa. We were able to use a medical station at the entrance for some of Anna's needs. I am mentioning this to educate my readers that medical stations can be used for personal needs, not just the I-fell-down-and-broke-my-leg-at-the-elephant-exhibit type emergencies. Also, points to the zoo for having a friendly and discreet staff person who was quite helpful. After this short detour we made our way through Africa, viewing zebras, ostriches, giraffes, elephants, chimpanzees, baboons, gorillas, antelope, tropical birds, frogs, meerkats, snakes, and tropical plants. We were able to eat some fruit saved from lunch for our afternoon snack and made use of the water fountains to supplement what we had brought from home. Before leaving, the children each picked out one thing from the gift shop and also chose a memento to bring home to Emily (who stayed with Grandma since she was too little to enjoy the experience). The children were happy the entire time, even in the 90 degree heat. Brad and I walked over 5 miles today pushing a cart/wheelchair uphill the entire time. Yes. Uphill the ENTIRE time. The zoo is designed to walk you uphill for half the park and downhill the other half. We walked uphill until lunch. When we took the tram to Africa, we ended up leaving the pinnacle of the park only to end up down at the bottom of Africa where we were forced to walk uphill all the way back to the center again. Sigh. It was a great trip, though. This is the fun part of parenting. Children and adults getting along, having fun and learning from each other. Perfect.