Amimals!

We have had an "amimal"-packed week!

My mom and I woke up Saturday morning, read in the paper that it was supposed to be a completely lovely day, and decided we would take J to the zoo. Well, I guess I don't have to tell you that half the families in NC had the exact same thoughts! I swear it was like Disney World. We waited a half hour just to buy our tickets! Seriously, it was so crowded that you couldn't stop to look at your map for fear that you would be run over from behind. It really wasn't even too safe for J to be out of the stroller, even holding my hand. We went to the Asheboro Zoo and it really is a beautiful, HUGE "natural habitat" zoo. There are 2 sides separated by a 40 MINUTE walk - that's right 40 MINUTES - it actually says that right in the little zoo map! We couldn't take the tram because of our rented stroller that didn't fold up. Anyway, I think that it goes without saying that we never made it past the side we started out on. The other downside to such lovely large habitats was that most of the animals were VERY far away and we really didn't get to see any animals remotely close up. This was disappointing for our amimal lover who, as you remember, loved the "goat eatin' dress" experience. I wasn't even sure if she actually saw some of the animals I was pointing out. If you're getting the idea that it wasn't exactly the ideal zoo experience, you hit the nail on the head. All three of us left hot, tired, and a little disappointed after only a few hours. Oh well, you never know until you try. I think it will be the Columbia, SC zoo from now on for us (atleast until J is MUCH older) - we had a great experience there last year. 'Nuff complaining. It was still better than being stuck inside watching tv or something.

Well on the way to the zoo, we passed a place called the "Lazy 5 Ranch". It is also a zoo of sorts. It was only about 20 miles from my parents' house and we decided to try it today. Well, we totally struck gold! We had the best time! It's one of those places that you can either drive through or take a wagon ride through and the animals come up to the wagon/car and eat out of your hands. We took the wagon. It was almost 200 acres and had tons of animals. Julianna petted/fed llamas, buffaloes, cows, pigs, giraffes, yaks, goats and saw many many more up close. She was in HEAVEN!!! Well, we will definitely be returning there soon and often!!

Zoo pics:

Most of these pictures were taken on the sculptures they had all over the zoo. Truly climbing all over them was J's favorite part of the whole day.

















On the way home.



Lazy 5 Ranch Pics:



I love the way she has her hand on Mimi's shoulder.








This bird was pacing up and down the cage line. J put her hands on her hips (I guess like she had wings?) and strutted up and down with the bird. It was sooo cute.


Newborn baby camel. So cute - reminds me of Jules with those long, skinny, ungainly legs.

Wagon ride pics:



A yak (I think???) more than ready for a treat. They come right up to the wagon with their tongues out and ready!


A cow friend.




I honestly don't know what type of animal this is? Looks like a cow of some sort.




One of my very faves was this Buffalo with the giant tongue. He was REALLY friendly and apparently very hungry. J shoveled handfuls and handfuls of food onto his tongue. We even got Julianna a little stuffed animal buffalo from the gift shop on the way out.







A rare couple of pics of Julianna and I.






Feeding a cute freckle face llama.






BTW, I took over 300 pictures this week, so believe it or not, I actually DID cull for this post!