For Logan’s birthday my parents got us a zoo membership. So for the first time ever, Logan went to the zoo this weekend! I haven’t been to the Oregon Zoo in about 10 years I think. I think the last time I went was with friends for Zoo Lights at Christmas time.
I was pretty excited about sharing the zoo experience with Logan and for a long time thought about taking him but just never did. So we were pretty excited about having a membership now. The nice thing about having a membership is that members get into the zoo 30 minutes early. This weekend we got an email that members could get in an hour early! So we decided to get up early Saturday and go out there. It was nice that they opened early for members because when we were leaving later the parking lot was already full. It was crazy!
We told Logan we were going on an adventure. He was super excited! I knew his mind would be completely BLOWN. And it was. I think, honestly, it was overwhelming for him. He was shot out of a cannon, running like a madman. But it was ok.
His favorite thing of all was the lion exhibit. Of course, I should have guessed! His favorite movie has been The Lion King, so of course.
I thought for sure the elephants would be the most exciting thing for him. They were always my favorites. 🙂
It was pretty fun. Despite the meltdown when it was time to go. 😉 Next time we’ll bring snacks and water and a stroller for when Logan gets tired. I think it was just too much of everything. We ended up walking 2 miles in an hour and a half in the zoo. Logan probably walked/ran 3!
We didn’t even see half of the zoo. There’s a ton more to see and do. Next time we’ll have to do the train, too. That will probably be Logan’s favorite thing. 😉
We were home by 11. Logan had lunch and then crashed. I went to the gym for a quick session. I’m still taking it easy. I did a short cardio session and then my first weight lifting session since before my surgery.
And when Logan woke up from his nap he watched the Lion King movie with his Lion and Monkey stuffed animals. 😀
Linda T.
Such cute pictures. What a great present.
Lisa Eirene
Thanks!
Marianne
What a great experience. Sounded like you all had a fun time. Our Sanford Zoo is the pits. Animal Kingdom is too far and too expensive for me.
Lisa Eirene
That’s a bummer! I remember going to the zoo in Seattle and it was a great one.
Vickie
I am not sure how far it is for you, but membership changes how you can “do” the zoo.
My oldest, we went 5 days a week and walked. So instead of running/walking sidewalks or a treadmill, I did the zoo with him in a stroller for a couple years. Probably 30 minutes of fast walking, right when they opened.
Later years, more kids, we might have done the zoo a couple times a week, but we only did one section. So maybe an hour and we were done each time. So we picked what we were going (Africa, Australia, petting/farm, etc) in advance and that is all we did.
We also went to a lot of special events – watching feedings, watching training, behind the scenes, barn tours, doing hands on cooking/feeding, etc. Each time we only did the event which was usually a 30-40 minute thing and we left.
Our zoo closes in the winter, but still has special behind the scenes events. Some of the most memorable ones are off season.
We had zoo membership nonstop for many many years. My oldest is now 29, my youngest is 21, and we probably had a membership for 15-18 years straight.
We still take kids there when we have small visitors. Or out of town visitors of any age. I would guess I average 1-2 times each summer still.
Lisa Eirene
Those are great ideas!
We did not see everything. Part of the zoo was under constructions and closed off. We did a few parts of it but didn’t see all of it so next time we’ll do a different section. I know Logan will want to see the lions again, though. 🙂
They have a carousel and a train ride, too. Logan will LOVE that.
I wore my heart rate monitor and in 90 minutes of walking/chasing after Logan, I burned 300 calories. It was crazy!
emmaclaire
So much fun!! The membership will make it so nice to be able to go back as the season’s change, etc. I remember my daughter’s favorite thing the first time she went to Woodland Park Zoo was the rocks at the Jimi Hendrix memorial – I thought it would be the elephants for her, too! When she was old enough to really like the aquarium, though, she brought a little notebook with her and took “notes” of everything. Only fitting she’s getting her degree in biology and volunteering every weekend at the Oregon Aquarium 🙂