Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Oh my, is right! Another dreary day here in Ocean City. The sun was shining briefly this morning--giving us time for a bike ride down the boardwalk and to the library--but was soon shrouded in clouds. . . again. We skipped the beach and headed to the Cape May Zoo instead.

This was our second trip to the Cape May Zoo. It is about 20 minutes south on the Garden State Parkway from Ocean City--a pretty easy trip. Admission is free, although a donation is requested. Parking is free, too, and there is a pretty nice playground nearby. I could see packing a picnic lunch next time and eating at the playground before heading inside. (No food is allowed inside the zoo itself and I have seen them look through bags before.)

Prior to our first trip to this zoo, I had feared it was of Elmwood Park, in Norristown, quality. We took our first trip to that zoo a few years ago--Carter and I tagged along with Will's preschool class. Carter was excited to see his favorite animals--"zebwas and gowillas"--but, alas, there is nothing more exotic than deer and buffalo at that zoo. Of course, the Cape May Zoo is nothing compared to the one in Philadelphia, but it is a nice destination on a cloudy day at the beach.

Best of all, they have "zebwas"--plenty of them. And lions, tigers and a plethora of monkeys. The layout of the zoo is beautiful, really adorable. You follow a series of wooden bridges under a canopy of native trees and stop for viewing animals along the way. Each animal exhibit has plenty of information. Will usually insists that I read every word, but this time, he was content just to look.

Our trip started as we meandered through the zoo's trails, looking at birds, including a talking parrot (which Will insisted must be a robot), monkeys, tigers and more. As we got to the African savanna, specifically the zebras, it started to pour. We found some shelter and got to spend some quality time with Carter's striped friends. He was sure they were wagging their tails at him. And yet, after probably 30 minutes spent looking at zebras, we still don't know what they say. (In our version of Old MacDonald, they say "stripe, stripe here and a stripe, stripe there.")

Will, always prepared for any weather situation, donned his hoodie sweatshirt. Charlotte was protected by her floppy hat and stroller shade. Carter didn't mind the rain. So, we ran for it. Straight to the reptile house, seeking shelter more than a look-see at our slimy, slithery friends.

Unfortunately, the bad weather meant that two of the highlights of a trip to the Cape May Zoo--a mini train ride and carousel--were closed. If the rainy weather continues, I imagine we'll take another trip down the park way, just for the train and carousel ride.