Jackson City Zoo
Saturday morning we woke up and went about our usual routine, when Laura noticed in a local magazine that this weekend was the “Zoo-lympics” at the Jackson City Zoo. Rhianna has never been to a zoo before, so today seemed like the perfect time.
An hour later we were pulling into the zoo. At first Rhi was rather indifferent, just seeming to be happy to be outside and away from the house for a change. We were there pretty early, around 9:30, so the place was basically deserted. We pitched in for “Friends of the Zoo” membership (Basically a year-long season pass) and headed on in.
Soon as we got in the gate, I hoisted her up onto my shoulders and over to the right she saw her first new animal: the Giraffes. She squealed and shrieked, and we went right over. Most of the morning was that same joy & excitement over and over again, from one animal to the next. From the Giraffe’s, to the tapirs (which she calls Cows), to the monkeys, through the entire zoo.
One rookie mistake was made when we were watching some of the chimpanzee’s. Rhianna had kneeled down under one of the information panels to see through the fence, and when she stood up she hit her head. Of course, she cried and Laura ran over to comfort her. Evidently the animals thought Laura caused it and started congregating near the fence and hissing and squealing. Needless to say we didn’t stay long with those.
We only wound up staying about 2 hours, but it was a fun 2 hours. Rhianna got to see the elephants (ephenunts to her) which was a big deal to her. Or maybe it was a big deal to us, but either way we all enjoyed it. Because of the “Zoolympics” they also had some inflatable bounce houses that Rhianna insisted on enjoying. Five minutes in there pretty well wore her out, so we didn’t get to stay as long as we had hoped.
The place was alot better than I remembered it being. The last time I was at the Jackson Zoo was back in grade school, and all I remember was the overpowering odor of animal crap. The place was pretty clean tho, and being so early in the morning and a bit chilly, nothing had gotten to “Bake in” while we were there. We also beat all the crowds, parking right at the ticket booth & exploring line-free. We did get the year-long passes, so we get back in for a full year for free which extends to pretty much any Zoo or Garden in the US. It’s a good thing too, since evidently next month they’re opening an aquarium and reptile house, along with a few other areas that should be fun. Add to that the visits from Dora the Explorer & Spongebob Squarepants during the summer, and I’m sure we’ll be back.
After that, we all came home for a nap. After that, Rhi said she was ready to “go see nanny”, so Laura & her loaded up for Meridian. I got to stay home and cut the grass. Well, I guess you can’t have fun all the time.
[tag:zoo][tag:family][tag:jackson]
