The Luray Zoo

I survived the Luray Petting Zoo! We arrived at the Caverns and trooped down a hill to some lopsided picnic tables to have our lunches. The sun went behind some clouds and stayed there. The wind picked up a little and it was very chilly. Sounds like the trip to the pumpkin patch, doesn't it?

After lunch, we reboarded the bus for the short trip to the "zoo". It's across the road from the Luray Walmart. The kids were very excited. The noise level was high. My ears are still ringing.

After spending an extra long time in the snake house (shiver), we were allowed to go outside to see the other animals. There were falcons and hawks, an owl and some turtle doves in their cages. They all seemed to be huddled in their "nests", which were recycled containers. They knew it was too chilly to be out!

I really felt sorry for the poor tiger! She had an enclosure that was about the size of my kitchen and she just kept pacing - back and forth, back and forth. For something else to do, she would go into her "cave". Then, back and forth in the outside enclosure. Sad.

The camel wouldn't stand up, the peacock wouldn't unfurl his beautiful feathers, the goats wouldn't stop eating long enough to be petted. The two girls I had with me got discouraged (and cold!) and wanted to back up the hill. The little wallabees had their babies in their pouches, but it was hard to see them. Emma took a picture, but I think the wire fence got in the way.

I think the best part was seeing the monkeys. They were inside their house that had a large glass window. They kept coming up to the window and looking at the kids. One even had a toy truck that he kept running back and forth across the window ledge. It was hard to pull the children away from the window to go look at other things. If I had known, I'd have stayed at the monkey house. It was the most fun.

After a long, but enjoyable talk by Jennifer, the caretaker, we boarded the (ahh, warm) bus and headed back to the school.

Just as we pulled back into the parking lot, the sun came out again.