The park is right on the lake, and with it only being 48 degrees when we got there combined with the breeze off the lake, we were a bit cold. Luckily they have lots of indoor areas we could go into to see the animals until it warmed up.
We started at the Tiger. Rebecca loved watching it walk around. Inside the exhibit hall there was a leopard that she was so fascinated by. Rebecca hasn't has alot of experience with animals but one she is familiar with is a cat and fish. Is was really fun to see her recognize that tigers and lions were like the cats in the neighborhood just alot bigger.
When we went into the small mammal and reptile house. She was in heaven. There were some sand cats, that looked just like the cats she knows only with bigger ears. One was walking right in front of her and she watched it such intent. We got to see alligators and lots of fish. Another thing Rebecca loved was the fish. She'd sit or stand at the tanks just staring at them. Ammon was so sweet. He sat right by her, put his arm around her and told her about the fish.
In the Children's zoo the kids got some climbing time. The climbing structure seemed really tight and high, but all the kids (including Corrine with her cast) went into it. Alot of the Children's zoo is outside and with it still being so cold, we didn't stay long.
We didn't realize until later that we were there on earth day. In some of the animals
exhibits they had "save the planet" balls and boxes with the recycle symbol on them.
One of those recycled labeled boxes was in the gorilla enclosure. Johann was the only one to see this. One of the big gorillas went inside of the box which was towards the top of a small hill. The gorilla was inside for a little bit before the box started rolling down the hill. He said the gorilla popped out of the box tearing it apart and was totally freaked out. The boys were laying on the marble stairs soaking up some warmth while the girls were in the bathroom.
The polar bear was so fun to watch. We were at the glass looking under the water into it's tank. It was jumping and swimming all over. It was coming right up to the glass and one time it pushed off right in front of Corrine's face. It's paw was huge and it was so close. Then it went up to the land area and got it's barrel to play with. It was playing with it in the water making huge air bubble areas, when it got stuck under a ledge. It worked so hard to get it out. We went up top to watch it and it jumped and swatted and bit at it until it finally got it out from under the ledge. All the effort must have worn him out because he went back into his den after that.
We really liked the zoo. Later this summer they are opening a new nature boardwalk which looked really neat. This is a zoo we'd like to come back and see again.
When we left the zoo we stopped to take a picture by the zoo sign. Simeon got to hold Rebecca which made Corrine upset, so she pulled her hat over her face, and Ammon was playing with the sign not ready to smile.
While Johann got things into the van the kids and mom played and ran around on the grass. The kids started playing hide and go seek. Corrine thought a good place to hide was behind a skinny tree. Too bad you could see her bright pink cast around it. Rebecca and mom went to go meet some geese that became too friendly and close to us.
We stopped at Red Robin for dinner. This was a restaurant that Johann and I liked to go to in Utah before we moved to Iowa. We then stopped for Jamba Juice and the kids each got to get their own. They have a love of smoothies just like their mom and dad.
We had such a great time on a short vacation. It was nice to get away and just have time for us. Next time the Sears Tower will be on the agenda, and maybe a boat ride on the Lake.
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