Moose Slobber
We were looking for something fun to do for this weekend. Tracie found a place called Wild Animal Safari that sounded interesting with live tigers, lions, ligers (1/2 lion, 1/2 tiger), and bears. Lions and tigers and bears? Oh my. Feeding and petting animals while driving through their habitats? Sounds just like something Sydney might enjoy. Although the forecast was for storms on and off this weekend, we decided to head out in hope of getting just a few hours of decent weather.
The Safari turned out to be about 2 hours away. And the weather held up great. It was actually sunny and hot. Perfect! Sydney was too excited to nap on the way there. Once we got there and bought tickets and food to feed the animals, she dragged me to the observation fence to find some animals while Tracie was buying a small pizza for lunch. Immediately, we spotted two giraffes, an emu, some bisons, and hogs. My take on the animals? Giraffes - tall; Emu - stuck-up bird (stupid thing kept walking despite getting pelted by me with food); bisons - smelly; hogs - swine flu.
We had three options: take the bus through the safari to observe the animals, rent a van and drive ourselves, or take our own SUV through. We opted to drive our own SUV for our own comfort. After a quick orientation at the gate, we began our 5mph journey through the game reserve. I should have known something was up when the staff kept asking us if we wanted to buy "slobber towels." We were immediately greeted by the same bunch of animals that Sydney spotted from the fence.
We were warned not to rolled the window down more than half way. This was to keep the animals from poking their entire heads into the car. I quickly learned of another reason. THEY SMELL!! Ack!!!! No amount of perfume, car freshener or holding my breath could have helped. We decided to keep the windows rolled up and contibued with our journey. But not before they licked the mess out of my windows begging for food. There were drool and snots on the glass just seconds into the journey. Sydney quickly pointed out the smudges on the glass.
Next up, we spotted some cute white deer, goats and zebras. They came right up to the car so we stopped. Sydney was delighted and stood on the passenger seat marveling at the proximity of the animals. We gave Sydney a few chunks of food to hand to the animals. She was brave, sticking her hand out the window to let the deer nibble the food from her fingers. This lasted for about 4 feedings then Sydney got cold feet. I guess she didn't like her hands slimed. She started lobbing the food out the window while giggling nervously. She kept looking at us as if to say: "Uhhhh, I don't know about this!!"
She really freaked when a jackass (mule, not a person) came to the car and kept licking the edge of the window begging for food. Sydney bolted from the front seat to the back seat and burying her face against Tracie. I had to feed him myself.
The longhorns with their giant horns didn't help the matter any when they all decided to walk down the middle of the road and come within 1/4 inch of the car. Each one's head alone is bigger than Sydney herself. She was NOT about to be eaten by one of them. Although she didn't cry, she wanted nothing to do with them.
Finally, we drove past a "baa sheep" (what she calls the sheep) that was more of Sydney's pace and style. I finally coaxed Sydney into letting the "baa sheep" eat out of her hand.
There were other animals worth mentioning that Sydney saw during our drive. There were ostriches, emus, elks, camels, tigers, lions and ducks ... and even a big rhino. But more importantly, I learned a lesson today about 3-yr olds. Never, I repeat, NEVER mention an animal that you can't point out right away or suffer the consequences. At one stretch, we saw no animals. As I was looking around for something to point out to Sydney, she asked "What do you see?" I responded in my usual smart-alec way: " Worms!", to which Sydney excitedly and unexpectedly asked "Where?" with her face pressed against the window to find. For the next 5 minutes, which seemed to last forever, I was bombarded with "Where are the worms, Daddy?" No matter where I was pointing and explaining that the worms have gone underground or under the rocks or logs or anything else I could think of, I HAD to show her a worm. Ughhhhh!!! Luckily, the next group of animals came to my rescue. I was never so happy to get moose slobbers on my doors and windows. By the time we made it back to the front gate, my SUV resembled a moving abstract art painted with tongues and wet noses using GA red clay, spit, crumbs and bugs. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to wash the car.
For the finale, we took the "Walk About" trail to see the rest of the animals, most of which we were not allowed to feed. We saw alligators, baboons, tigers, bears, lions, ligers (they really do exist!), wolves, lemurs, and macaques up close. It was rather cool, and Sydney was delighted to see them for the most part (although she told me tonight before bed that she was scared of most of them) but she was getting very tired and hot and just wanted to be carried.
She was a good sport to pose for a few final pictures.
It was a great experience for all of us, although Sydney probably would be happier never to have moose slobber on her tiny fingers again. I think I liked the alligators the best, Sydney liked the "baa sheep" and Tracie was amused by the baboons with their bright red butts. Perhaps, next time we will try visiting the Yellow River Game Ranch instead. They have animals closer to her size, like rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, plus I won't have to wash my car after we're done visiting. A word to the wise: Bring towels and anti-bacterial soap with you before going on these animal safaris. You'll need it.
The Safari turned out to be about 2 hours away. And the weather held up great. It was actually sunny and hot. Perfect! Sydney was too excited to nap on the way there. Once we got there and bought tickets and food to feed the animals, she dragged me to the observation fence to find some animals while Tracie was buying a small pizza for lunch. Immediately, we spotted two giraffes, an emu, some bisons, and hogs. My take on the animals? Giraffes - tall; Emu - stuck-up bird (stupid thing kept walking despite getting pelted by me with food); bisons - smelly; hogs - swine flu.
We had three options: take the bus through the safari to observe the animals, rent a van and drive ourselves, or take our own SUV through. We opted to drive our own SUV for our own comfort. After a quick orientation at the gate, we began our 5mph journey through the game reserve. I should have known something was up when the staff kept asking us if we wanted to buy "slobber towels." We were immediately greeted by the same bunch of animals that Sydney spotted from the fence.
We were warned not to rolled the window down more than half way. This was to keep the animals from poking their entire heads into the car. I quickly learned of another reason. THEY SMELL!! Ack!!!! No amount of perfume, car freshener or holding my breath could have helped. We decided to keep the windows rolled up and contibued with our journey. But not before they licked the mess out of my windows begging for food. There were drool and snots on the glass just seconds into the journey. Sydney quickly pointed out the smudges on the glass.
Next up, we spotted some cute white deer, goats and zebras. They came right up to the car so we stopped. Sydney was delighted and stood on the passenger seat marveling at the proximity of the animals. We gave Sydney a few chunks of food to hand to the animals. She was brave, sticking her hand out the window to let the deer nibble the food from her fingers. This lasted for about 4 feedings then Sydney got cold feet. I guess she didn't like her hands slimed. She started lobbing the food out the window while giggling nervously. She kept looking at us as if to say: "Uhhhh, I don't know about this!!"
She really freaked when a jackass (mule, not a person) came to the car and kept licking the edge of the window begging for food. Sydney bolted from the front seat to the back seat and burying her face against Tracie. I had to feed him myself.
The longhorns with their giant horns didn't help the matter any when they all decided to walk down the middle of the road and come within 1/4 inch of the car. Each one's head alone is bigger than Sydney herself. She was NOT about to be eaten by one of them. Although she didn't cry, she wanted nothing to do with them.
Finally, we drove past a "baa sheep" (what she calls the sheep) that was more of Sydney's pace and style. I finally coaxed Sydney into letting the "baa sheep" eat out of her hand.
There were other animals worth mentioning that Sydney saw during our drive. There were ostriches, emus, elks, camels, tigers, lions and ducks ... and even a big rhino. But more importantly, I learned a lesson today about 3-yr olds. Never, I repeat, NEVER mention an animal that you can't point out right away or suffer the consequences. At one stretch, we saw no animals. As I was looking around for something to point out to Sydney, she asked "What do you see?" I responded in my usual smart-alec way: " Worms!", to which Sydney excitedly and unexpectedly asked "Where?" with her face pressed against the window to find. For the next 5 minutes, which seemed to last forever, I was bombarded with "Where are the worms, Daddy?" No matter where I was pointing and explaining that the worms have gone underground or under the rocks or logs or anything else I could think of, I HAD to show her a worm. Ughhhhh!!! Luckily, the next group of animals came to my rescue. I was never so happy to get moose slobbers on my doors and windows. By the time we made it back to the front gate, my SUV resembled a moving abstract art painted with tongues and wet noses using GA red clay, spit, crumbs and bugs. Maybe, just maybe, it's time to wash the car.
For the finale, we took the "Walk About" trail to see the rest of the animals, most of which we were not allowed to feed. We saw alligators, baboons, tigers, bears, lions, ligers (they really do exist!), wolves, lemurs, and macaques up close. It was rather cool, and Sydney was delighted to see them for the most part (although she told me tonight before bed that she was scared of most of them) but she was getting very tired and hot and just wanted to be carried.
She was a good sport to pose for a few final pictures.
It was a great experience for all of us, although Sydney probably would be happier never to have moose slobber on her tiny fingers again. I think I liked the alligators the best, Sydney liked the "baa sheep" and Tracie was amused by the baboons with their bright red butts. Perhaps, next time we will try visiting the Yellow River Game Ranch instead. They have animals closer to her size, like rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, plus I won't have to wash my car after we're done visiting. A word to the wise: Bring towels and anti-bacterial soap with you before going on these animal safaris. You'll need it.
posted by DaddyEyeduck at 8:51 PM
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