Photo Essay: Our Visit to the Phoenix Zoo

In May 2003 our family visited the Phoenix Zoo, near Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona. I have a soft spot in my heart for this particular zoo, because it was the one I visited most while growing up in the Valley of the Sun.

We knew that we were in for a fun time with our kids at just the right age for zoos. At 5-1/2, we knew Ian would be really interested seeing and learning about the animals. Nathan, at 3-1/2, was at the perfect age for exploration. And little Megan, at 13 months, was just in the right place to experience a whole bunch of new sights and sounds.

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This entrance was a new addition, changed considerably since I've visited the zoo. The only thing I can remember about the old entrance is the exit, actually. It was a heavy steel one-way turnstile that always kind of scared me. I remember thinking that I'd get in and not be able to get out. The new entrance is much more friendly and inviting.

This part was very familiar. The bridge had been redone, but the turtles were still there. It was fun just to stand and watch the turtles get on and off the logs floating in the water. Of course, the kids were anxious to get inside, so we didn't spend too much time.

The creepie-crawlie house had been given a face-lift, with "Danger and Deception" being the controlling idea. Ian loved the giant snake. Nathan, wasn't quite as keen on standing in the jaws.

One of the best parts about the reptile house was that Megan was pretty well contained, and many of the exhibits were right at her level. One exhibit (which we didn't photograph, for some reason) had just a mess of cockroaches, with a glass domed floor that let you stick your head right up in the middle of them. Made me feel like I was back in Hawaii...

Probably the best new exhibit was the African savanna habitat. They had giraffes, ostriches, wildebeasts, and other "Lion King" type animals here, roaming free in a large enclosure.

In spite of the spectacular exhibit, Nathan seemed more interested in the coin-operated telescope than he did in the animals.

Can you see a distinct resemblance? I don't call him my "monkey boy" for nothing. Actually, I think this is a baboon.

Like Nathan, Megan seemed more interested in less-than-featured attractions. Here she is fascinated by a muddy little pond, when 20 feet away, the flamingos squawked noisily.

You can't go to the zoo and not ride the tram. We got to the tram station just as one tram was leaving. While we waited for the next one, Ian and Nathan threw rocks in the pond. It may have just been the highlight of their day.

Here's the while family (minus the guy pushing the button). I cropped out the old lady behind us, smiling a little creepily. You can tell that Megan is starting to fade. Quickly.

Okay, she's gone. We timed it perfectly for her morning nap. Logs were sawn; Z's were caught.

Back at the train station, we transfered Megan into the stroller, and she happily continued to snore as we headed to look at more animal displays.

As you can see, photography runs in the family. Ian and Nathan both had their little disposables, and once in a while actually pointed them at something interesting, like an animal.

Can you imagine when these guys turn 16 and get their driver's licenses? I shudder to ponder that thought.

Everyone lined up on the rocks to pose for the camera. The enclosure behind is for the spectacled bear, who was hiding around a corner somewhere.

Ah, the children's zoo. It used to be my favorite part of the zoo. Used to be, there was a tractor you could ride on. Now there's four or five. No waiting -- step right up.

I seem to remember the "petting zoo" part having vending machines that dispensed sheep and goat pellets. Nowadays, you really can't feed any animals in the zoo. So instead, they give you icky little hairbrushes to help groom the goats. Not quite the same, but at least it's hands-on. Here, Megan contemplates the goat.

Ian has found a friend here. Not surprisingly, Nathan wasn't really interested in the goats.

The elephants are always a high point. I know the Phoenix Zoo has several, but only one was out and about. The boys were excited to see it, even if it was pretty far away.

Even though the day was surprisingly mild for May, it started to get warm in the mid-afternoon. The water-play area was a great idea. We'd forgotten to bring extra clothes, but the boys stripped down to their shorts and played anyway.

Megan, the little squirt, considers another little squirt. She wasn't sure she liked the water splashing on her, but she was a pretty good sport about it.

Ian approached the random fountains with his usual gusto. The expression on his face here is one of pure joy. If only all of us could have a moment like this every day!

The one thing you don't see in any of these photos was the vomiting. Megan had a stomach flu or something that manifested itself several times on the ride over (luckily for me, I was in a different vehicle). About every half hour or so, she'd puke again. It became routine -- Melanie or I would hold her over some bushes and she'd have a little spew. Though she went through two outfits, it didn't seem to dampen her mood.

Lots of things have changed at the Phoenix Zoo, but lots are still the same. I'm told that this is the largest privately funded zoo in the country, and it's obviously well taken care of. Now that we live closer to Phoenix, we'll probably be returning from time to time to the zoo of my childhood.

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