We set out bright and early and headed to Kentucky on a Friday. The last zoo we had visited was Columbus and it was VERY cool, so we were anxious to see if Louisville could compete. Let's just say we didn't leave disappointed.
Both the boys eagerly posed on a statue of a kimodo dragon. At the Columbus Zoo, they had this machine set up by the Kimodo dragon display. You put your nose near a screen and pushed a button and it blew air in your face that simulated what a kimodo dragon's breath smelled like. All three of my boys have weak stomachs, but I was willing to give it a try. I gagged. It was terrible!!!
The boys loved the penguins. They are one of Brek's favorites. He just squealed in delight every time they swam by in their tank.
Next, we checked out King Louie, a rare albino alligator. It was funny to see the other zoo-goers oohing and aahing over him. Bae was like, "We see those all the time." Brek said "Yeah, at the Hokeepenokee Swamp!"
These flamingos were very entertaining, the one in the middle wouldn't let anyone within 5 feet of him. I told Joey, "Watch. ..he must be the alpha male." Joey laughed and said, "apparently he doesn't know he's a PINK flamingo!"
Finally, we arrived at the Bird sanctuary. The boys got the chance to feed the birds. It was "totally awesome" as Brek would say. They held these little cups of nectar and the birds flew right up and perched on their hands, wrists, shoulders, wherever and hungrily gulped up every last drop of nectar. It was by far the coolest thing we've done at a zoo. The boys talked about it for weeks afterwards!
Next, the boys got pictures on elephant statues.
We checked out the lions.
Brek wanted his picture taken with this monkey statue. I think they look kinda like twins! What do you think??
Then, the boys had to see how they measured up against a grown gorilla. Even though they're not as big, they do favor a bunch of monkeys!
We ventured on into the gorilla house. One gorilla was obviously sick. I need to state here also, that all three of my boys have the weakest stomachs of anyone I know. . . .except maybe my brother, Brandon. ..and Joey's brother, Chad. OK, so I know several with very weak stomachs, the point being that I'm not one of them. Unless there's blood involved, otherwise, I'm fine. I can't even begin to count the times Joey has gagged (or worse) over diapers, dog poop, trash, magnets (He'll get that one!) So, I couldn't help but watch in wonderment at the events that transpired in that gorilla house. As I mentioned before, the gorilla was sick. Just as we walked in (and right after I snapped this picture), he leaned over with his face to the floor and emptied the contents of his stomach. After a few seconds, and to my horror, he then leaned back over and proceeded . . . .to eat it! YES!! Disgusting!!! I looked over at the boys to see this weird gleam in their eyes as they watched. I was floored. These same boys that can THINK about something gross and gag were WATCHING an animal eat his own vomit. Not once, not twice, but at least five times, this gorilla got sick, waited a few moments, then ate it again. I had to make them leave! It was unbelievable!
Finally, I tore them away (and made sure that someone notified one of the zookeepers that the poor gorilla was ill) and we headed over to the giraffe display. I think this is the closest I've ever been to a giraffe and they're ENORMOUS!
Finally, we closed out our trip with a stop by the rhinos. Bae was so excited. That had been the one animal he had talked about seeing the whole way to Louisville and lo and behold it was the last animal we saw.
We headed out to the car and loaded up for our trip home. The boys were talking excitedly in the back about feeding the birds and seeing the rhinos. There was a moment of silence, then Bae said, "Hey Brek, wasn't it funny that the gorilla ate his puke." Brek laughed and said, "Yeah, it was disgusting." They both dissolved into giggles. Joey chuckled a little too, and I thought I'll remember this the next time they try to get out of doing something gross "or they'll puke." Ahh, life with boys. . .I better get used to it!
