This past Saturday we took off and went to Des Moines and the Blank Park Zoo, a place I had not been to since I was a kid, and at the time simply remember there being a lot of pens with animals inside, so I really didn’t know what to expect — would it be like a fancy farm or like a real zoo? Would they have anything more exciting than a chicken?
As it turned out, the zoo is a rather nice place these days, having nice paths and landscaping and easy ways to get around to see all the sights. Unfortunately, the giraffes, which are apparently the stars of the show, were not on display due to some fence-fixing, so we didn’t partake in feeding or seeing them, but that exclusion did garner us a 20% discount, which was nice.
On the whole, the place was…OK. None of the animals were spectacular, but they were better than your average Holstein. The environment was very nice, the staff reasonably friendly (for what we interacted with them), and the weather was mint. I think, all in all, it wasn’t a completely wasted day.
Photo evidence for those of you who read Playboy for the, “articles”: (click to zoom in!)
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- A chicken! In Iowa! Truly a privilege.
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- Llovelly Llama
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- Look, Ma! Not on a lawn!
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- Entranced by the Wild
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- How do you steer this mule, anyhow?
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- FREE! FREEEEEEEEEE!!!
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- What, I have to be strapped in?
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- Koi Krazyness
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- Queen Lion
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- Peacock version of STFU
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- What? WHAT?!?
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- Gots me some PRAIRIE DOG!
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- Sam: Bushwacker, Zoo Enthusiast Extraordinaire
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- Rosy Keston
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- Aww…puddy tat.
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- Restless Tiger
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- This cow’s had better days, methinks.
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- Wallaby!
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- Wise Old Billygoat
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- White with Black Stripes, or Black with White Stripes?
Disclaimer: I looked at these images despite the fact that I don’t read Playboy for the articles. Very nicely done! I HATE going to crowded zoos, so I expect this one would be just the right speed for me.
I hit the zoo with Janet and her kids for Night Eyes last year—a Halloween candy fiesta. It was dark so we didn’t see many animals. And the candy every 50 feet was evidently the main purpose anyway. Looks like you had fun!!
Wheres the centrefold???????
I’ve heard Omaha is quite nice!! Perhaps in a couple years he would really enjoy it! Minnesota isn’t bad either! They have dolphin shows, etc.
The Sister: Yeah, we’re going to try Omaha/MN when he’s a bit older and we can justify the trip. We’ve heard they’re far above the Blank Park, too.