GEEKOLOGY 101: What happens at the zoo, stays at the zoo...or not

So how many times have you been to the zoo in your lifetime? 

For me, just in the last 4 years, it seems like I have at least one trek per year. Kids of our children’s age demand it at least once a year.

Not that I am complaining, I like the zoo especially the ones in our area.

This past weekend, we happened to make our latest adventure to the land of animals, insects and other assorted beasts on display.

Also, we were meeting some old friends and that always adds a little extra bonus to said trip.

So, upon arriving at the zoo, it turns out that everyone else in America planned this exact same weekend for their trek as well.

So after parking out in the boonies, we ventured through the “automobile enclosure” to the newly built ticket booth.

My wife made her way to the back of the three and a half mile line while I sat with the boys, baking in the sun, because there was no shade in that area.

And if there were shade, I didn’t feel like sharing it with ten thousand new friends.

Anyway, after my wife returned and we met up with our friend from Montana, we ventured forth to the gates of the zoo.

Just off to the left, my eldest spotted the Koi pond and HAD to go see the fishies there.

Really, this is what fascinates a three-almost-four-year-old? 

Spending all this money and having lions, tigers, monkeys, bears within walking distance means we are not going to linger at the entrance Koi pond which houses about five Koi.

So several minutes later, we finally head out. Unfortunately, we also were all hungry.

Now I know that it can get a little pricey sometimes at events such as this but REALLY almost four dollars for a hot dog? 

Now if it had been doused with chili, relish, spoke French, and whistled “Dixie” then I wouldn’t complain.

Nope, it was just a plain, ordinary hot dog. Which, of course, our children didn’t want.

Anyway, dining experience aside, we set off to see what the zoo had in store for us.

Also, when it is hot outside, don’t forget that your newly bald head may be a little over exposed to the Sun’s rays. OUCHIE!

We went from the desert enclosure, to the aquarium, to the cat house, etc., etc. pausing only once for a quick ice cream refresher.

My eldest was doing great until we happened upon a random carousel. Now I am okay with carousels but I didn’t want to spend the time or the money for him to, yet again, ride around in a circle.

Because of this, my son spent the rest of the zoo trip reminding me what a bad father I had become. Like coming to the zoo was his idea and he had paid for everybody’s way in.

Anyway, besides that, we had a great time at the zoo. There were some incredible exhibits there and, even though it looked like the entire state of Texas had come up to visit, it didn’t feel as crowded as it could have been.

Plus, on our two hour trek back to our Hometown, the boys both crashed out for almost the entire trip home.

That in itself was worth the price of admission.

Gary Darling is the geekiest employee at the Maryville Daily Forum. His online blog address is: justanewdad.blogspot.com & his email is: gdarling@maryvilledailyforum.com. Drop him a line sometime!