I’ve been to the zoo

Famous first words.

“I’ve been to the zoo.”

I actually have been to the zoo, but when I wrote the headline for this post, I thought it sounded very familiar. Some hours later, unable to continue the post until I had identified the source, it came to me.

The Zoo Story. Edward Albee.

Whew! Glad that’s settled.

The rest of this zoo story has absolutely nothing to do with Albee’s zoo story.

I’ve been to the zoo.

The Jacksonville Zoo.

I have been to the JAX Zoo many, many times many, many years ago. This is the first time I’ve been since we moved down here and since its major renovation began in 1992.

The zoo is 99 years old! 1914. One red deer. Donated. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? Supposedly, by the end of the 60s, the zoo had the largest collection of exotic animals in the Southeast and was in danger of closing through lack of funds.

Somehow, it weathered the hard times, is still here and much improved.

We had a great day. It’s a fair bit of walking, but not excessive. Most of the acreage is given over to the animals, and the exhibits are cleverly arranged so you can see a lot from a relatively limited path. You can also circumnavigate the whole zoo by train, getting off at either end.

There is a lot of shade, and several places where misters lower the temperature. (It’s Florida, you know. Hot.)

I love the giraffe overlook, where the proof that Mother Nature has a sense of humor, comes over and looks you right in the eye. The Lorikeets are gorgeous. Frogs and snakes–not my favorites.

The Asian garden is beautiful, and I always like a butterfly house. Butterfly Hollow, it’s known as, here.

There’s a Wildlife Carousel that is stunning. (I love carousels and merry-go-rounds. Just ask my long-suffering nieces and nephews who are getting too grown-up for the merry-go-round, but have to go with Aunt E.) 34 Handpainted animals. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! You can ride an alligator or an ostrich. (I don’t recommend the sea horse. The saddle area is best reserved for smaller children.)

Anyway, it was a very nice outing, manageable for kids and seniors. Cost us $42 bucks–which–I don’t know–seems like a lot, but, these days, probably isn’t.

Click on the thumbnails to see the larger pictures.