The plan all along was that we were going to drive up to Camp Verde to go to the Out of Africa Wild Animal Park on the first Saturday of fall break. But then the forecast called for an 80% chance of rain and severe flooding for Saturday and clear, sunny skies on Sunday. Not wanting to be caught in a hurricane we changed our plans to go one day later. It was still essential that we go in September and not another weekend, because you get in free for your birthday month. Spencer and I were free because of our birthdays, Elliott was free because he is not yet three and I bought a groupon for Michael. All four of us ended up going for $19. Not bad.
But first Michael and I had to watch Frozen so we would be able to follow the story line on Once Upon a Time this season.
We were disappointed that we weren't doing our original plans on Saturday, but we made the best of the day.
We went to the mall and the kids had free cookies at story time.
We rode all the elevators and escalators.
We saw the puppies and kitties at the pet store.
We watched the big screen TV at the Disney Store.
And had free samples at Sees Candy and Teavana.
That night I made olive oil mayo. Everyone should do this. It is excellent.
Oh, and the kids had roasted marshmallows, per Spencer's request, for dessert. Don't mind topless Michael in the background.
ON TO THE ANIMALS!!!!
We left the house at 8:30 and made it to Camp Verde at 10:00, just 30 minutes after the park opened.
The first thing we did was take the safari tram ride. And the first animal we saw was a very hungry giraffe. They gave everyone a piece of celery to feed him. Elliott chickened out at the last second.
Onto the zebras
This baby is about 3 months old.
Did you know that baby zebras are brown?
Zebra butts
Then another hungry giraffe assaulted the passengers and guide. Not really, he was actually very friendly. Just big.
I don't remember what these are.
Oryx
Camel. They said he is very, very lazy.
Ostrich
She did a demonstration to show how ostriches will bite at anything that is put in front of them. They can't help it, it's a reflex.
Ankole-Watusi
After the safari ride we had our picture taken with this very fake and very safe rhino.
We got complemented on our wardrobe choices by lots of people in the park. The lady at the ticket booth said we were the best dressed family she had ever seen.
Then we set off on foot to check out some animals.
This bear just sat down at a picnic table to have lunch. It was just about the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Then we went to our first show. It was a meet the creatures show. This was a totally disgusting lizard, but I cannot remember what the actual breed is. Sorry I'm not a very good blogger.
A disgusting snake. I believe it was a python.
Elliott was more concerned with his snacks.
Porcupine
Then we hoofed it back to the car for a picnic lunch since food is not allowed to be brought into the park.
After lunch it was time for the Tiger show.
It was a tigers as mermaids show.
I captured some sweet, sweet jumps.
Sweet, sweet jump!
That was a stuffed animal Simba. He didn't last long.
A cayman
It was the closest thing to a crocodile for Elliott's shirt, so he had his picture taken with him.
Michael found his tiger.
So you see this tiger? Right after I took this picture it jumped up at the fence, locked eyes with me and gave me a ferocious roar. The 4 of us were the only people there. Scared the bejesus out of me.
We think this was some kind of marsupial, but we never did see the sign identifying it.
By this point in the afternoon (it was like 2:00) the kids needed a snack. We got them a Hawaiian shaved ice (Spencer) and a smoothie (Elliott) and headed to the Disgusting Large Snake Show. That might not have been the actual name of the show, but it should be.
It took about 10 people (although most of them were kids) to lift it.
Right after this picture the snake pooped and peed all over the place and they had to bring in beach towels and a clean up crew.
Gross
Uck. Disgusting. See the whitish stuff? Left- over snake poop.
The kids were brave. And actually, so was I. I did give it a pet. He was cool and clammy and soft and disgusting.
Michael helped carry him back to the sun. He was, apparently, getting too cold.
Then it was time for the last "show" of the day. The last "show" of the day involves everyone in the park following the employees as they drive a truck pulling a bin full of 300 pounds of raw meat and throw it to all the animals. And in case you are curious, this was horse meat. Complete with fur and hooves. The circle of life.
Some chunks were so big and heavy that it took them several attempts to clear the fence.
MMMMMMM. MEATY.
The bear got fruits and vegetables and fish.
Right after this guy heaved that meat he told me I had a really cool shirt. Um, OK, meat thrower. Thanks.
After the feeding frenzy we walked around looking at the rest of the animals.
Unfortunately, the disgusting snake house was up first.
I think this is the same guy from the Disgusting Large Snake Show.
We saw some equally disgusting lizards.
These were some type of dragon monitors. Apparently a close up of their face can be seen in the movie Jurassic Park, standing in for a raptor.
They were eating whole quails.
The javelinas were eating romaine lettuce, avocado, apples and sweet potatoes. It looked good. I kind of wanted them to share.
Adorable prairie dogs
This guy was hungry. They were also having salad.
It's hard to tell, but this was a huge 18 pound rabbit. And he's only half grown. I want one of these guys.
Macaws. They were very squawky.
On our way out we stopped by the zebras again so I could get a picture with my shirt animal.
And Spencer got one more picture with a giraffe.
Then, tired and dirty, we drove back to Phoenix and headed straight to the airport to pick up my dad. The plan had been to go to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, to fit with the theme, but, unbelievably, they close at 6:00 on Sunday. So we went to a steak place. I guess the 300 pounds of raw meat made us hungry for a little sirloin.
3 comments:
What an amazing place!!!! I had no idea anything like this existed. Also, kudos to you for the theme wear. You and Julia would be BFFs in real life, I have no doubt.
I still find it a little surprising that this was the first time you watched Frozen. I think most adults love it more than the kids. The songs are sooo addicting. I think the Once Upon A Time show may be the one show we don't have in common. I was going to watch it when it first started, but Eddie didn't record it for me so I just never started it. Then, we started watching the Once Upon A Time in Wonderland one that didn't last as long. That one just mixed Alice in Wonderland with Aladdin. The mall is just a fun place to hang out even when you aren't in a shopping mood! I may have to try the olive oil mayo. It looks pretty easy. I think that animal park does look really similar to our Lazy 5 Ranch except they have horse drawn wagon rides instead of trains. I think the Lazy 5 has some of the "craziest" animals I have ever seen. I don't know if it is their familiarity with human interaction, but they just come right up to you or your car and try to get inside to get food. Yes, people actually choose to drive their own cars through the park which is crazy to me because those animals often have big horns! People are weird. The giraffes are definitely always my favorites although now I think baby zebras are the cutest. Nope, I didn't know they were brown! And yes, your "obsession" with themed clothes is definitely one of your best qualities! :-) And that snake gives the creeps but he is an interesting shade of yellow. Whew, that was an exhausting but fun sounding day!
Impressive!
Also, last year, I finally gave in to peer pressure from the kids and watched "Frozen."
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