Spring Break, Day One: The Zoo

Spring Break! WOOOOOHOOO!

Also known as Nine Days in a Row I need to Entertain My Children For as Little Money as Possible.

Now, Evan had planned on taking the week off, but some of his single, childless coworkers had NEGLECTED TO CHECK THE BURBANK SCHOOL CALENDAR and made plans. Dang, people, shouldn't the entire company be paying attention to my schedule? So instead, he took off Thursday and Friday, and we made plans for a cheap "staycation," a word that makes me want to punch somebody.

So, Monday! The kids and I woke up, watched lots of TV, and made our way to the zoo. We spend lots of time there, and have made back our membership bucks in spades. But usually Evan brings them, while I stay at home cleaning the house or doing some freelance work.

 Meercats. Hands down, everyone's favorite exhibit at this or any zoo.

 Arlo's butt. My favorite exhibit at any family trip.

But The LAIR (the reptile house, aka the Living Amphibians Invertebrates Reptiles) had just recently opened, so we were happy to visit it, even though we needed to wait a bit before we got to go in. Frankly, it was two lovingly-designed buildings connected by a couple of outside exhibits. When you look at the scale, the Turtleback Zoo really wins the day here. But we loved the big sculptures and the green roofs.

 Here's the view from the LAIR of the carousel.

 We made our way up to the Carousel, which opened a couple months ago.

We seem to move into neighborhoods that have zoos right on the edge, and our times there are spent watching the zoos blossom. That was certainly the case with the Turtleback, and it seems to be the case with the LA Zoo. Since we've joined, they've opened the Carousel, the LAIR, and now they are carving out a huge hunk of the mountain next to the elephants.

On this visit, Oscar said "I don't like zoos. I think the animals want to be free." That's the beginning of the end, kids. I told him that many of the animals at the zoo would be dead or extinct if not for the zoo, and he considered that, and then I bought him some nachos and he was fine. But I think our days at the zoo are numbered. I also have problems with the acquiring of animals for zoos, but the amazement that I see on my kids' faces and school groups mean that there's still a part of the world that needs to put animals in front of kids. There might be some dastardly behavior along the way, but zoos exist to keep children in touch with nature and the real world outside of their narrow view. I will always be a member of my local zoo.

Evan had brought the kids to the carousel before, but this was my first time. I knew that Slash was a big fan of the zoo, right behind the number one fan of the LA Zoo, Betty White. But I was thrilled to plop my son's butt down on the "snakes on a stick" carousel horse that Slash and his wife and kids sponsored. Thanks, dude.

 Oscar posed gamely but moved on to something of his own choosing. The Goose rode a unicorn. Of course.

Here's the funny thing about the LA Zoo's carousel: it was funded by the couple that founded A&M Music. So instead of countless tootling renditions of "Meet Me in St. Louis," this carousel plays Joe Jackson, Journey, the Carpenters, and whatever else the patrons wanted. It makes for an interestng mix.

 The elephant section of the LA Zoo looks just like Jurassic Park. Coincidence? I think not.

 The children's zoo has the regular compliment of docile goats and sheep, ready to be manhandled by Los Angeles' progeny. But the genius twist is that they supply brushes to comb their pelts with. The result is a lot of happy goats and thrilled kids. 

There's this sculpture outside the petting zoo that I love. You push the button, water flows from the top of the fountain down to your sink.

 There are always groundhogs, and there is always small tunnels for your children to run into, and for you to bang your noggin into.

 My favorite little guy at the hospital: the three-legged antilope.



 

Beatnik boy.

Pooped out Goose. 

 Every time I turn around, California taunts me with how beautiful it is. This is just a little view of a random building at the LA Zoo. California, you are killing me here. You give me a gorgeous, ever-changing zoo, a lovely long walk with my kids, and gorgeous glimpses of architecture at the most random times. 

CUT IT OUT, CALIFORNIA. I'm a New Yorker. I get pissy about pizza, and belligerent about bagels. I can hail a taxi with a tiny nod of my head and have a whole litany of gropes on the subway. 

Stop trying, California. I'm a New Yorker. Where's my black-and-white?