Drive Through Safari

Remember our little summer camp my cousin planned for the kids? Well, the last activity planned was going to a drive thru safari on our way home. To be honest, when we pulled in, I thought it was going to be a waste of money. I thought we might see a few exotic, but not unusual animals at a distance, and since it was the heat of the day in Texas, the animals would be lazing under the trees.

Instead, this was our experience:

Yes, that's a zebra's nose in our car. I had no idea that we were going to feed the animals, although the animals were quite aware of the routine. As soon as you pull in, your car is surrounded with an interesting variety of farm and exotic animals, including zebras, buffalo, rams, ostriches, llamas, ponies, cattle, emu, camels...the list goes on.

Some of the animals unnerved us, like the large birds and the Ankole-Watusi cattle. When they approached
the vehicle, we'd quickly throw some food and roll up the windows. But if you weren't paying attention because you had two zebras sticking their noses in your car on one side, you might turn and find an emu  staring you in the face.

This guy almost gave Audrie a kiss/heart attack.

In addition to the drive-through part, they also had quite a collection of caged animals, and those you could pet. We saw monkeys, Wallabies, hedgehogs, some newborn camels, a baby zebra, and Wilbur:

I grew up on a ranch. I was surrounded by animals all of my childhood, so being around animals isn't really a big deal to me. But I don't know if it was the excitement of seeing exotic animals, or the adrenaline rush from the up close encounters with scary animals, or that cute little piglet that I almost pignapped, but I had so much fun here. The kids had a blast. It was well worth the money.

If you're ever near Franklin, Texas, I'd recommend a trip to their drive thru safari.

xo

nessa dee

10 Things I Learned at the Zoo

Last week, before we left the kids with their grandparents, we visited the Houston Zoo. Here are a few things I learned from the trip:

1. Even a creature I'm familiar with can look strange in real life, especially if I stare at it too long, watching it eat. I mean, look at that mouth!?

2. Adults get just as excited as kids when face to face with exotic animals.

3. Lions can share names and personality traits with people you know.

4. I really need to set up a hair appointment.

And buy nicer clothes. Even the birds are showing me up in the style department.

5. Pelicans look like big clumsy dorks when they're being fed.

6. I like the 5:2 adult to kid ratio much better than the 10:1 kid to adult ratio.

7. I discovered that instead of two monkeys, I actually have one monkey and one flamingo living in my house.

8. I could have touched this cheetah if I really wanted to.

And this giraffe.

I didn't, and I still have all of my fingers to show for it.

9. In the middle of the afternoon in May, in Texas, I will start weighing the risks of joining a tiger for a nice refreshing swim against being hot.

10. After a long day at the zoo, I look and feel not unlike this sea lion:

xo

Nessa Dee

**Update--All you will need for Crafty Friday is some paint and paper. I'm keeping it simple since I kind of forgot to plan something. :)**

IF: Balloon

Don't have time to do a new illustration, so here's an old one.

Have a happy day!

ND

IF: Zoo

The great escape!

I don't know exactly how they fit into that basket, but they managed it. For some reason this was the image that popped into my head when I read the topic. I was pressed for time, so it is not as neat as I would have liked, but I got it done!

Have a great week!