Fun at the Tucson Zoo

We decided to purchase a zoo membership since it was about as cheap as just going once.  Whenever we went to Tucson we would go to the zoo.  Pa went to this same zoo when he was a boy with his grandma LaVona Jones Hawkins who lived in Binghampton (which was the LDS community in Tucson back in the day) not to far from the Zoo.  We had talked about taking Pa to the Zoo with kids for a couple of years.  We picked a lovely day for it, and the animals were very active.  The Tucson Zoo is a perfect size and you can get quite close to the animals.

Part of the Zoo Party

McCoy, Zany and Archy getting a closer look

 Archy loves of animals of all kinds and was very excited to feed them.  When Archy gets excited he does flappy arms (his elbows are bent and his little hands and arms flap up and down).  Zany does the same thing but for her its when she is scared.  McCoy, Archy and Zany got to be a part of the feeding giraffe experience. 

Here is the experience in Archy's own words:

We wait in line, then we give them the token, Then we got our carrots, then we go to feed the giraffe. The giraffe was walking to us. Then he got a little closer, then the giraffe stuck his tongue out and he wrapped it around the carrot. Then he ate it. Zany was scared because she doesn't want to feed the carrot to the giraffe.  Dad help her to feed the giraffe. We pet the soft skin on the giraffe's side.  It feeled soft.  McCoy did it too. He feed the giraffe too.

Interview with Mom (Rhiannon) and Archy, again in his own words

Me: Archy would you do it again (feed the giraffe)?

Archy:  Yes

Me:  If you could feed any other animal at the zoo which one would you feed?

Archy:  Well the lions would be scary, but I want to feed the lion. Wait, would the zoo helper help me?  Would I have to climb in or get in to feed the lions?  Wait, I have to climb on the glass and drop it?

Me: They probably have a back door

Archy: Will I probably just throw it in?  I don't want the lions to get out.

Me:  What would you feed them?

Archy:  Lions like meat. I will feed them meat. I think they eat any kind of meat but I think deer meat.

Me: What is your other favorite animal at the zoo?

Archy: Peacock, because when you're eating french fries and walking it will follow you.

Me: Archy if you were in the zoo and people could feed you, what would you want them to feed you?

Archy:  French Fries and carrots, a ham sandwich, that's my favorite food

Getting carrots to feed the giraffe

Archy and Zany waiting for the giraffes

Brave Archy feeds a giraffe, while Zany and Eddy watch

McCoy's arm feeding a giraffe

McCoy (left to right), Archer, Declan, Zany and Eddy with a giraffe

We just love the penny stamps souvenirs and usually get them when we see them at various attractions. They are fun to crank and a cheap souvenir too.

McCoy cranking out his souvenir

Archy with a Zebra finally on display, most of the time the Zebra is in a back pen and Archy is disappointed but not today!

Zoo pals: Archy, Declan and Quinton who happen to match

Maybe next time we will see if Quinton and Declan are brave enough to feed a giraffe!