Land of the Dragons, or our adventure at the zoo

We thought it would be so much fun to surprise the kids with a trip to the zoo Saturday morning to get a "members-only" sneak preview of their newest exhibit: 2 komodo dragons! We were going to load everyone up in the car to run an "errand," like what we did on our way to LA for Shelby's blessing, only to tell them what we were doing later. Davin changed our plans when he asked so nicely during breakfast if we could please go to the zoo today. We didn't have the heart to say no, and then go as a surprise, so we just went.

Maddie trying to see the iguanas

Unfortunately for us, there was some sort of cancer walk that shut down the entire cross-street before the zoo. It took us an additional 15-20 minutes to figure out how far across we had to go to be able to get in front of/behind this walk to be able to take the back road into the zoo. Eric may know his way around Phoenix, but I know my way around this part of town-we're at the zoo twice a month, and I've taken both ways in and out of the zoo before. (Eric promising NEVER to support any group we saw, including the ARRL who was doing communications support for the walk, it was rather frustrating)

something stinky

We are in LOVE with the two komodo dragons! So great, and boy are they HUGE! And the drool, just teaming with bacteria and venom, yuck! The zoo's also gotten in some new gibbons, and they are so active, it's great. Aidan had asked last week why some monkeys have tails, and some don't. That lead us to a discussion of "old world" vs "new world" monkeys. I had him tell me, without looking at the signs, which monkeys were which.

looing into the komodo dragon enclosure

And just for you Dan, remember that weird "ostrich" toe knife that you brought back from your mission? Well, it turns out, it's not from an ostich, but a Rhea. It looks more like an Emu in size and coloring, but those toes are the same. So, just for you, here are some pictures of the Rheas at our zoo.