Went on a trip to the Asheboro Zoo (Lots of pics)

[Captain Slow]

It was supposed to be a nice weekend, so my wife and I decided to go to the Asheboro Zoo. It ended up being 70* and not a cloud in the sky. Perfect. We left a little later than planned (wife had to get ready )

It ended up being about 11am when we left. I still have the rental car from when I had my accident (long story short, still haven't received check for the car yet). I took back the s***box, erm Prius, back two days after I had it and got this extremely nice 2010 Impala.

So we left, and began the 45 mile journey to Asheboro. It was rather easy to get to, as there were a total of 3 roads we traveled on. After we took the exit off of I85, and got on 64, I was unpleasantly surprised that the majority of the ride there was a 2 lane road. With hills, lots and lots of hills. I do have to admit, it was a very scenic drive.

As we were turning on to Zoo Pkwy, my wife spotted one of the people who I think work for Liberty Mutual and have to dress up as the Statue Of Liberty. She said hurry up and get past it, because she was creeped out. I of course had to snap a pic of it. I actually kind of felt bad for whomever was in there.

When we finally got to the zoo, the first parking area was full, so we parked in the second lot, 'Africa'. After walking to the line for tickets, we discovered we had quite a wait. It ended up being about 45 minutes until we first got in.

Our first stop was the elephants, and my wife had to have a picture with her favorite animal.

Also in the same area were the rhinos, ostriches, and gazelles but the rhinos were asleep and the ostriches weren't out. The funniest thing I heard all day was some guy say in a total hick voice "Well look at them thar Gizzeles" I heard him say it and couldn't help bursting with laughter, getting lots of odd looks.

Also with those animals was this goose, which I swear I saw following us around the zoo. I named him Hank.

After leaving the area, there was a really cool old Land Rover that was decorated to look like a Safari vehicle. Of course, I had to have a picture with it.

We then traveled up some paths and arrived at the Gorillas being fed. If you've seen the movie Old Dogs, you'd know why when I saw him, I couldn't stop singing "I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you...."

Our gorilla. Munching on carrots.

After walking a bit and my wife not wanting to go to the aviary (she's afraid of birds), we stopped to get a snack. We decided on these Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade things. I got lemon, and my wife got pink lemonade.

They were actually quite good, and at 12oz, there was a sufficient amount to them. The only downside, of course, was the zoo price of $4 a piece.

Next we were off to the Bee exhibit. They had a cool display of an active bee hive.

Tunnel to the hive. The opening was on the other side of the wall, and the bees were just flying freely.



This was the exhibit for desert life. It was like a giant greenhouse with all the animals inside, and several of the birds flying around inside.



I got a laugh from my wife stating that they have white-winged doves, so where is Dark Wing Duck?

It was hot inside there, of course so we decided to get some ice cream. We walked down a little bit and my wife suggested some Dippin' Dots. I had never had them before (sorry, but I haven't) so we got some.

It was like an Oreo McFlurry flavoring. I had my first bite, and, well, I have to say that they were some of the weirdest ice cream I have ever had. They stuck to my tongue, like when you stick your tongue on a fresh ice cube. But they had great flavor. Good, but not worth $4.50

Surprise! Creeper pic of hot girl!

And on to the Buffaloand just because:Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

In front of the buffalo, there was a really cool 'Geyser' that 'erupted' every five minutes. There was a wind blowing towards us, so it was very cool and refreshing where we stood at.

After leaving the Geyser, we began a hike up a hill to head towards the North American Exhibits. At the top there was a sign.

Our first stop was the Otters. I didn't see them at first, so I took a pic of this.Made me laugh a bit inside. Otter poo.

And here are the actual otters. There was just a glass fence thing around them, so I leaned in to get a good pic. He posed.

Now on to the coup de grâce of the snack shops. I had no idea this place was here before we came, and when I saw it, I squealed like a little girl.

We ordered two chili dogs and a coke, totaling $10.31 I didn't really care, as I had always wanted to try a Nathan's

I will tell you all, this was the best snack bar hotdog I have ever had in my life. The bun was nice and warm, the dog cooked perfectly. And the chili, the sweet, sweet chili. After I was done, I was actually sad, realizing that I probably wouldn't taste a hotdog like that in quite some time.

This sign made me LOL.

The last place we visited was the Swamp. This was semi- interesting, but seemed lackluster in comparison to the rest of the park.

Evil red-eyed duck

The cougar. Not exactly what I was hoping for when I was told we were going to see the cougars.

Right after I saw it my first thought was "Down Karen!"

And the final thing we saw before leaving were the turtles. Here is the Ruh-tarded turtle, as my wife called it.

All in all, we had a great time and will definitely go back, if not just to have another Nathan's Hot dog.

[Dano]

Surprise! Creeper pic of hot girl!

[numbnuts240]

your commentary was perfect. i love zoos.

[RCA]

Yea I read the commentary differently on that picture.

http://i43.tinypic.com/a9ln35.jpgAnd on to the Buffalo