Zoo-rific fun!

We had a fun filled day at Zoo Atlanta yesterday; after an interesting drive there, (we tried out my new GPS and followed the route that it gave us - even though we knew there was a better way - and wound up right in the middle of thug-ville!) we arrived around 11:30 a.m. - just in time for everyone to be hungry. However, the first cafe that we came to was closed, so we visited with all the animals on the way to the main cafe in the center of the zoo. It was a cold, cold winter day, but it was kind of neat to all be bundled up in our jackets, gloves, hats, and my scarf. The air was crisp and we were all alert to the happenings at the zoo.

A good many of the animals weren't out, due to the cold weather, but we visited the giraffes and zebras, who Jonathan named Melman and Marty. The hippos weren't around either, and Jonathan and Annah were disappointed that they didn't get to see Gloria (all of the names came from the characters in Madagascar). But after a fun, grease-filled lunch, we ventured over and visited with Tara the elephant, whom Annah fell in love with. (She was very impressed in the pedicure that Tara was getting from the zoo keepers; her new goal in life is to be a vet and help animals, so this was right up her alley!) We also visited with the lions, but sadly, the big male lion (who Jonathan was already calling Alex) was nowhere to be found. We were able to see a couple of the females and cubs, which was fun, but it was disappointing not to see the big guy.

After a stop at the petting zoo, where Matthew, Jonathan, and Annah groomed some of the goats, we made a trip to the gift shop, then bought tickets to take a ride on the zoo train. We had a couple of tickets left over, and Jonathan and Annah rode the carousel. Matthew, being too old and too cool for the carousel, chose to climb the rock wall with his second ticket. After seeing how much fun Matthew was having, Jonathan wanted a try at it. So we bought another ticket and let him give it a go. And he really did pretty good!

All in all it was a fun day. We now have a year long membership to Zoo Atlanta, so we'll be heading back in a while for another fun-filled day!