contessa20

Yesterday we had a fantastic time at the zoo. Seriously, it was THE most perfect day ever. Typically the traffic into the city is horrendous but by some miraculous alignment of the planets, there was virtually NO traffic on the way there.

We made it to the gates about 10 min. after they opened and had already pre-bought our tickets online so we sailed right on through. There weren't a ton of people there either so we didn't have to deal with fighting crowds. Not only that but the weather cooperated spectacularly. It was fairly overcast for 95% of the day so nobody got sunburned and it was neither too hot nor too cold.

Instead of buying an outrageously expensive and unhealthy lunch at the zoo we decided ahead of time to pack a picnic and eat in one of the pavilions. DH and DS took Wawa subs and chips and bought french fries at the zoo and I took a bunch of clementines plus some tomato & avocado collard wraps. To be honest, DH & DS's food really REALLY tempted me but I stayed away from it like a good little girl. :::giggles:::

I'm a total animal freak so I both love and hate the zoo. I love being that close to the animals and being a sensitive person I can often sense what they're feeling. The giraffes were probably my favorites of the whole day. There was one that kept eye contact with me for the longest time. Whenever I would walk down the fence he would follow along and continue staring at me. He did this 3 or 4 times in a row. It was actually quite hilarious and a few other people even noticed and commented on the strange connection. Quentin said that it was because he could sense how much I loved his African homeland.



I found it very difficult and heartbreaking to watch the ant-eater. He seemed SO stressed out. There was a path worn down by the fence where he just kept pacing back and forth.

Quentin and I got to ride a camel and let me just tell you how much fun that was. Oh my, I just wanted to keep on trekking with George the camel. He was so polite and adorable even if I did sense his boredom. Getting on him was hilarious. I sat in the back so I got on first. I've got pretty short legs so, as I threw my leg over the top the attendant guy literally lifted me up and put me on George's back. The fact that any guy (and this guy was totally of average height and build, NOT the guy walking with us in the picture though) could actually PICK ME UP totally blew my mind.



One of the most crowded attractions was the Big Cat Falls where all of the lions, tigers and other big cats were located. After we went through I wished that we had gone earlier in the day because there were just SO many people there. Nevertheless, we got a good picture of one of the beauties.



We got another picture of Quentin and I sitting right down beside her (through the glass, of course) but right as the camera snapped the picture, she turned her head to hide behind Quentin. She was funny though, she was laying way back at the back of the enclosure and then when we walked up to the glass she hopped up like she was on a mission and came right up to us.

This little guy is a 3-toed Sloth and, as you can see, there is no glass or barrier of any kind between us and him. We were literally about 6 inches away from him in that picture.



When I got home from the zoo I was really craving some zucchini pasta so I made myself a BIG bowl of it. Then later I was feeling so hungry I thought I might cry. It was 10 pm and I don't normally eat after dark but there was just no ignoring it this time. I ate a cashew cookie lara bar and then a great big mango. I wasn't full but it at least took the edge off. I thought for sure I would wake up a pound or so heavier this morning but instead, I had LOST a pound. How crazy is that?!?!?! I'm now down to 134, just 2 more to go to hit 50 lbs. released and 4 more to go to hit my next goal.