A quick trip to Omaha

[mapsedge]

We visited the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha this weekend.  Really, if your only experience with a zoological parks is Kansas City's, do yourself a favor and go.  KC's trying hard, they really are, but the KCZoo sucks, especially in comparison with HD.  The kids liked the aquarium best.

Friday night we checked into the hotel, went for supper at the Valentino's Super Buffet, always a treat.  Afterward, back at the hotel, Katie and I went to the pool while Michelle stayed in the room and tried in vain to get Jami to sleep*.  After swimming, playing in the big pool and the hot tub for half an hour or so, we went back to the room about 8:30. 

Our hotel was on the far west side of Omaha and our room faced west, so I sat on the room's couch, naked (or nearly so, I don't remember), watching the sun set over the Nebraska prairie.  I was very tired, and my fatigue turned the experience into something sublime.

Running around the zoo all Saturday morning made for a long and tiring drive home Saturday afternoon, but it was worth it.  Even got a little work done on the dining room Sunday afternoon.  Amazing.

* Nothing makes the late afternoon and evening a joy like a nearly-three-year-old who hasn't napped more than half an hour. 

Comments

[bonnyann.livejournal.com]

Doc Simmons is the head of the zoo and although he makes a rotten vet, his ideas and fund raising are second to none.

I haven't been there in years. I find it difficult because I miss it and secondly, the gorilla in the Education Pavillion was one of my buddies. We frequently shared Peanut M&Ms and he loved to be tickled. Of course you have to be very careful to tickle a 350 lb gorilla but I loved his chuckles.

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Of course you have to be very careful to tickle a 350 lb gorilla but I loved his chuckles.

I can hardly imagine what that must have been like.

[bonnyann.livejournal.com]

LOLOL. Here's how you do it. In the back area, you are just on the other side of the bars. His fingers and hands are too big to get through. He would put his back against the bars and look over his shoulder expectantly. Looking carefully, you'll see that he has his right arm crossed over and his fingers are hidden between his left bicep and left side. That's the hand you have to watch out for. He tries to catch your fingers when they come though. So you tickle him just like a person, on their sides and jump away when he tries for the fingers. It's not malicious, just part of the game. They chuckle very much like a person. Like heh-heh-heh with a deeper growling sound below it. I don't know how else to describe it. It was fun with the young gorilla too. He was about 50 lbs and hand-raised so you could go in the cage with him and wrestle around and tickle. I remember one Family Night doing that and then done, turned to get his food. First he leapt off a boulder onto my back and then he bit me in the butt cheek when I bent over to unlatch the door. The crowd seemed to think that was just hilarious. He didn't hurt me in any way when he bit. Just playing. Ah, the stories. I should journal these entries and put them in memories. I think I just might. Thanks!