Since checkout was not until noon, we resumed our position, sitting in the hot tub while talking and watching tv. Around 11, we started to pack up and get ready to begin the rest of our adventure in Columbus. So, we got our stuff all together, checked out, loaded into the car and took off. We drove for a little bit, took a long pit stop at a Max & Erma's complete with their famous cookies, and before long, we arrived at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Yes, we are aware that it is January and the temperature on Sunday was around 20 degrees.
The Columbus Zoo has half-priced admission for January and February, so for less than $20, we got to spend our afternoon there. Some of the animals were tucked away someplace warm for the winter, but many others were out.
After walking for only a few moments, we spotted these weird goat things and a bison.
Then we went through one of the exhibits about habitats, where we took these photos.
We stopped and looked at various animals, like wolves and moose (which may have been the highlight of Jose's day) as we traveled the path towards our first planned destination within the zoo: the polar bears. But after hanging around and looking. And looking. Annnnddd looking...we didn't see them. They had found a nice hidden location to hang out. So, we moved next door and found two beautiful brown bears, Buckeye and Brutus, sleeping in their den. And, boy, were they sleeping. Feet propped up on the walls. And at one point, one stretched and smacked the other in the back of the head with his paw. If they were not quite so large, I would want to bring one home. However, I'm certain that the bears wouldn't even fit through our doors if they were on two feet.
Then, another indoor exhibit...this one on the polar bears.
Then, we went back to walking outside (after another failed attempt to find the polar bears). We stood quite awhile outside of the puma cage. They were so cool. And they came over and hung out just feet away from where we stood. Such beautiful kittys.
Then Bobcats, other animals, and more animals. Bald eagles were one of Jose's favorites.
When we finished that area of the zoo, and realized that it was already 3 PM (the zoo closed at 4 PM), we treked across the zoo to the area featuring the aquariums.
We found some cool lil' guys, including a funny nosed dude, a big lipped friend, and a hammerhead shark.
Then, onto the manatee tank. I fell in love. The zoo had four manatees, all rescued. The one, I believe her name is Stubby, has lost part of her tail due to a boat accident. She was the most friendly.
There was another lil' guy, who was very ornery and much smaller than Stubby, but I can't remember his name. He has three large scars on his side from a boat propeller. In the photo below, he is the one flipping around and Stubby is the one looking at us.
I think Jose fell in love with Stubby too. Again, if I could figure out how to fit her into our family, I would do so...I have a feeling Jose would too. I am in love with this photo...
And, as the clocks switched to 4 PM, I was lucky enough to snap this awesome photo of a stingray eating the lettuce in the tank. He would pin the lettuce against the glass in order to suck, yes, literally suck, it into this little vacuum mouth. So awesome!
After leaving the zoo, and blasting the heat for quite awhile, we stopped and got a nice meal at Tumbleweed. So yummy! And we hit the Tim Hortons drive thru and grabbed a couple of hot drinks for the road, to keep us awake on the trip home after an amazing and exhausting weekend, and to fuel the conversations as we took the drive.
Around 8:00, we picked up our littles and got home around 8:30 PM. We put the kids straight to bed, hung out for a little bit, then crashed. Thank goodness that Monday was MLK, Jr. Day and that a lazy day (for Jose and the kids) was in store. I ended up working the last half of the day, but that was okay. What a wonderful weekend!
I love my hubby! Love love love him!
1 comment:
YAY! How fun! I love the zoo! I've been itching to go to Sea World. Now I REALLY wanna go! Glad you had so much fun!
Post a Comment