Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!

Sunday dawned with better weather but still hot and sticky and I still wasn't breathing well with the humidity, so we pulled out our best option. Not the zoo....but animals nevertheless. We took 7 year old Julia to the Wild Safari at Great Adventure.

Driving through in the air conditioned car was a great choice! And with animals on either side, Julia was all over the back seat and constant "oh Wow!"s and sudden gasps of delight were flying. She took time to read many of the signs along the way, explaining what each animal is, fun facts about them. I think she was especially taken by the giraffes. And they came near the car and put on a show for her. We don't have many snap shots of the trip, but I have a full dvd of it. We haven't seen it yet, but I am hoping for a nice video diary for her.

At the end of the safari there is a shady and educational oasis for kids. I had packed fresh fruit, yogurt and beverages, and there were shaded picnic tables on which to enjoy a cool snack. Then we saw exhibits and she rode a pony named Licorace. She had brought a book on horses and ponies to read in the car and the book had pointed out that Shetlands are the best for children to ride. She was distinctly disapproving of the fact that the ponies they had provided were not the right ones! But she enjoyed the ride anyway.

It was a long day.....Julia was contented and fell asleep in the car on the way home. We felt we had done a good job!