When I returned we quickly got showered, dressed and packed up for the day! As we headed out to the Naples Zoo we realized the kids were ready for lunch sooner than expected. We needed something quick so driving by a 5 Guys we stopped in and the kids were definitely happy. I can't complain either, a hamburger that tasted homemade and fries with the skin on them, my favorite. It was also very important to note that a year ago we wouldn't have been able to enjoy 5 Guys since their tradition is giant boxes of peanuts in the shell that you can enjoy for free while you eat your hamburger! Now that Braden is no longer allergic to peanuts its a relief we don't have to worry about these things. And since Braden is growing right now and eating like crazy I brought along the jar of peanut butter and low blood sugar moments today were lessened.
The Naples Zoo was excellent, a small zoo in comparison to what we are used to but a quality zoo with unique opportunities to see specific animals. First on the schedule was alligator hand feeding. No, we did not get to feed the alligators ourselves but we watched a trained zookeeper dangle raw beef into giant jaws right in front of us, separated only by a partial metal fence and small body of water!
After that excitement we went to see a closeup view of a giraffe family. They were snacking on the palm trees and the kids thought that was funny! A nice but odd old man was sitting on a park bench nearby and he took the liberty to inform us of the full giraffe diet and behavior. I have to wonder what was really in his thermos!
From there we toured the rest of zoo on foot, a botanical garden, tigers, lions, panther, kangaroo, porcupine, parrots, and a lot of tropical birds! There were several playgrounds that the kids took advantage of.
By far our favorite part of the zoo was the primate boat cruise. We caught the last boat ride which was a bonus because it was not crowded and they were feeding the primates. The boat is a pontoon so its not as exciting as you might think but the monkeys were hysterical, they are 100% zoo animals, either bred at the zoo or rescued from other zoos that have closed. They interact with the boat and start performing when it goes by. Each island in the lake has different primates living on it and there are no fences or barriers since water is a natural barrier for the monkeys. If I could've I would have taken a gibbon home with us!
After the zoo the kids were done, half asleep in the backseat and it was only 5:30 so we went straight home. Quick dinner of leftovers and Addison put herself to bed. Braden wanted a few books read to him and then he was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow! Then Brian ran out and got us our favorite meal, stone crabs and shrimp from Randy's Fish Market. Cold bottle of white wine, my summer pajamas and it was better than dining out any day!!
Tomorrow Nana and Papa arrive and the kids are VERY excited, I think they know they'll get spoiled!
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| Part of my gorgeous 4 mile run, beats running on ice/snow anyday |
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| Red Eye Jim, name of this gator |
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