Thursday, March 22, 2007

A day at the Zoo...

Or should I say Stroller Hell! I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to go to the zoo with my friend Sarah, two of her boys, and a friend of her 6 year old. Really, it was 80 degrees and everyone in 4 counties was on Spring Break. Had I lost my mind?


I arrived at the zoo at 10:20. Zoo Drive is about a mile, mile and a half long street from Nolensville Road leading to the zoo parking lot and entrance. This was one long snaking chain of mini vans moving at 15 miles per hour. The entire parking lot was full, as were two of the grass fields adjacent to the parking lot. Mini van after mini van unloading strollers and small children. Yes, I had lost my ever-lovin' mind.

Once Sarah and her brood had arrived, we waited in line to get in. This wait wasn't too bad, since Sarah has a family membership, and was her guest. Inside, the trails were so crowded with strollers--one of which was Sarah's--that we could barely move. Later, when we decided to eat lunch, we waited in line for food for at least half an hour. After we ate, and I drank a large bottle of water, I really had to pee. Big mistake. The line to the bathrooms was so long, three little kids peed in their pants while waiting in line near me. It took 30 minutes to get to the bathroom. Seriously, little kids don't have that much bladder control to wait in line for 30 minutes! What where they thinking building so few facilities at a Zoo, for crying out loud?

Anyway, it was so crowded that I couldn't get very many photos, but here are some that I did get.










8 comments:

Ellen said...

Ugh, the zoo is a nightmare any day, so I feel for you. The zoo on a hot day during spring break is *not* a good plan. Good for you for getting any pictures! I love the one of the bird.. thing. Whatever it is :)

Angela said...

Your story made me laugh! I can totally relate to this. We have a membership at the Grassmere Zoo too and it is ALWAYS stroller hell at that place and the lines are always soooo long.

I really like the photos you've captured. My DD was just standing next to me and she yelled out "Oh, I see the cats in the mirrors!!" She means the merecats! lol!

Christie said...

stroller hell, lol. these are some really beautiful colors in the animal pics. i love them. my favorite kid image is #5, priceless expression.

In-Focus said...

Thanks for the comments, everyone...Christie, that is the expression I get every time I point a camera at this kid!

Lulu said...

Still you got some really cut pictures. I love#3!

sherry boles~ said...

Your post really made me smile!

My youngest daughter is a HUGE animal fan!!! We've purchased a zoo membership the past two years just because she loves the animals so much. She's already ready to go to the zoo...and it will continue all summer long...

I really like the Nashville zoo much better than the Memphis one. Nashville has LOTS more shade! I just melt at the Memphis one...unfortunately so do some of the animals... :(

Anonymous said...

Fabulous photos, looks like fun, kids and animals, very similar.

Anonymous said...

pretty kitty