It was another unseasonably cool day and overcast, but it was actually nicer to have it be in the 50s than my usual zoo experiences of going in the summer when it's 90 degrees and miserable. Also, I forgot how hilly the zoo area is and pushing a stroller/carrying a diaper bag up those hills can work up a sweat! I actually had to cry uncle on one hill and pass the stroller off to my husband to push, which makes me really question my level of fitness. Watching my husband have to scrunch over to push the umbrella stroller was well worth the humiliation of crying uncle. I don't know why they don't make "tall man" strollers, but it might be so other people can enjoy the sight.
When we entered the zoo we saw a sign: "Pandas are NOT out today due to mating" and I laughed and pointed it out to my husband. The girl behind the information booth overheard and told us that they had the pandas out in their enclosure yesterday for their mating and apparently parents complained so they had to move them inside. That struck me as hilarious and I expected to see this in the gift shop:
The best part is when I got home and googled the panda stuff and found out that apparently the male panda has some performance issues and both mating days (yesterday and today) they ended up just having to sedate and artificially inseminate the female. Maybe that's why the parents complained? No one likes their children to see humiliating failure.
Other than the lack of pandas, we had a great time at the zoo. They are doing a lot of construction at the zoo, but the closed exhibits helped us streamline our visit. Faith pretty much did this all day:
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| This is the most fun place EVER! |
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| Having a tall daddy has so many perks. |
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| MONKEEEEEE! |
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| Kid, listen to your mommy. I'm not a freaking monkey. |
For some reason I totally thought you weren't allowed to bring food into the zoo, so we ended up buying lunch there. We had a lovely meal at the "Mane Event Restaurant" near the big cats.
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| I am SO HUNGRY from getting pushed around all day in a stroller! |
We spent about 3 hours at the zoo before heading home. As soon as we got back to the car, Faith crashed and passed out for a good 20 minutes. It wasn't her normal nap, but it was enough to last her until an early bedtime without getting too cranky. Personally, I'm exhausted from the day. I know I didn't run, but this sure didn't feel like a rest day and I'm betting we covered at least 4 miles today in walking around (and to and from the Metro station). Hopefully I'll wake up feeling rested and ready to hit the road running since I'm picking up the dog early tomorrow from the kennel and I know she'll want a run.
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| Can my friends come home with me? |
I made a short little movie (well, it's two clips put together) of our day:
What's your favorite animal to see at the zoo? I like the big cats, but only when they are awake!
I'm with you on the cats, but I really like the elephants too :) And, the polar bears are always so damn mesmerizing because i keep thinking of how vicious they are!
ReplyDeleteSidenote that may elevate me to creeper status: I thought of you yesterday while running bc a woman pushing a freaking massive stroller totally dominated me going up a hill. Sprinted right on past like it was no big deal. You're welcome for associating you with that.
Haha, I love that association! I guess I should live up to it more often :)
DeleteDid you use that metro on Connecticut - it's really neat how it is way uphill from the zoo exit.
ReplyDeleteAnd think how great this trip will be with a double stroller - twice as good exercise.
Oh, did you see the free-ranging Tamarins? I was floored when I found out they have monkeys running wild.
if being a tall dad makes babies happy, my daughter is going to be very sad.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least you can climb to high places? That has to count for something.
DeleteWait - did you say that donkey is your new dog? Did you trade Peanut away again?
ReplyDeleteI would trade Peanut for a donkey in a heartbeat. The donkey could carry my stuff on long trail runs.
DeleteWait. So donkeys eat their own poop too?! You teach me so much interesting lifelong knowledge.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the penguins?? Easily my favorite. Also I'm so sad you didn't get to ride a bear. I bet that would make Faith laugh a lot.
The penguin area was closed for construction! We didn't get to see any seals either!
DeleteI love the zoo! It would be too hard for me to pick a favorite animal.
ReplyDeleteFunny story - while I was watching the video, Mark came in because he thought it was a video of Avery giggling. Kiddo laughs are the best!
penguins, seals, and big cats are my favorite. monkeys give me nightmares. I hate monkeys.
ReplyDeleteumbrella strollers suck. I hate them.
Umbrella strollers are only nice when you need to ride public transportation, but they suck when you actually need to use them!
DeleteLions & Tigers & Bears - OH MY!
ReplyDeleteLOL - "he's eating his own poop" .... gah. Animals are disgusting and so fascinating.
I think I saw a porno like that.
DeleteGiraffes!
ReplyDeleteI think I saw a porno like that.
DeletePersonally, I prefer aquariums or water parks like Sea World. I like dolphins.
ReplyDeleteI also liked the otter in Seattle who was orally pleasuring himself by curling into a ball so he could reach. The husband and I laughed and laughed until some small children wanted to see what was so funny. Then we ran away because we're mature. ;)
I would have taken video so I could laugh later too :)
DeleteAwww look at Faith's bright and smiley face so excited to see the real live animals - made my day! We're taking Cameron to a zoo(s) when we're in California next week and I think I'm looking forward to it more than the beaches which says ALOT. There's just something about seeing your toddler so excited and happy that is the best thing in the world :-)
ReplyDeleteOn another note, girl, please do not ever "question your level of fitness" again. Pretty sure you could outlast most people I know and you're preggers! :-)
You googled it? FALSE!
ReplyDeleteYou can finally hear your lisp in the video!
That is shocking new information!
DeleteTHANK GOD you told me it was two clips together, or I would have been amazed with the special effects at the zoo of turning off the lights and magically transforming one animal into another!
ReplyDeleteI was dying laughing at the pandas thing. Because I'm mature.
Going to the zoo with one child instead of 22 looks like so much fun. I'll have to try it sometime.
I felt like buying a drink for all the teachers I saw at the zoo with screaming kids.
DeleteParents complaining about the pandas mating thing, that's pretty ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteApparently the pandas can get uh, quite vocal. :)
DeletePoor panda getting a complex... I absolutely love how easily entertained kids are and find myself wishing I was still that way :-)
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should make the male panda watch "panda videos".
ReplyDeleteI didn't even read your question at the bottom... just scrolled down here to say: I MUST HAVE THAT TSHIRT :) That. Is. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all the photos and video of Faith are ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to the zoo in ages. Looking forward to taking my son as he gets older. At this point though he'll have no idea where he is. He's only 8 weeks old. When I was in Australia we went to a zoo like place and the kangaroos were pretty cool.
the title of this post is the best.
ReplyDeletewe went to the sydney zoo while in australia and the meerkats were by far the most entertaining.
love the title...when I first saw it I was certain that "DTF" stood for something other than what I was thinking. I am happy to find out that it did not!
ReplyDeleteI had to look up DTF in the Urban Dictionary. Snort.
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the St. Louis Zoo with my family when I was in middle school and seeing a male cheetah who was very much DTF. But his would-be mate was having none of it. She flattened herself to the ground so closely that she looked like a cat pancake. He didn't give up, though, so she added a snarl and made several attempts to bite him when he tried to climb on top of her. I also remember my dad turning to my mom and saying, "I guess she has a headache."
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