30Before30 - #24 - Zoo Time

Yesterday we woke up to a 60 degree forecast and a day with no plans. So I mentioned to Jonathan that we should take Brenna to the NC Zoo. He kinda thought I was crazy at first I think (it's 1 1/2 hours away and I had just got hoe from a 6 hr round trip to Bristol) but he warmed up to the idea. We decided not to worry about nap time (a first for us, seriously) and just do it, I'm so glad we did! We got to the zoo about 11:30 and walked through the North America section - where we saw seals (Brenna's fave I think), turtles, fish, snakes, elk, a bobcat, an otter, and an owl. We ate lunch about halfway through and then headed to the animals we were most excited about in the Africa region. We saw a lion, a red river hog, chimps (including the cutest baby chimp), gorillas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and a rhino from a distance. We were all tired by this point, but the giraffe and zebra field was so awesome. We talked to the chimp trainer for a long time about their child-rearing practices, and Jonathan talked to some arborists about the trees and bamboo there. Everyone was super friendly. Brenna loved being able to run and look since it wasn't crowded at all. On the way back to the car we got to see the grizzly bear wake up a little. We met a couple there who told us the walk is a 10 mile walk if you take all the trails. We didn't take them all, but we took a lot of them! Shesh, no wonder we were all tired! I liked that the zoo had animals more spread out and in more natural-like habitats than most zoos I've seen. All in all, it was a great family day! Enjoy the pictures!

Loved walking! Only time she fussed was when we put her in the stroller.

posing with the gorilla

cutest gorilla ever

"big kitty cat"

Mommy, Brenna, 18 month old chimp, and her surrogate mommy

cuteeeee

:)

"Mommy ride a efunt"

We finallllllly found the elephants!

Brenna wanted her to go swimming.

with Daddy

"jafs"

coolest part of the zoo.....at the VERY end

We had a great time!