We buy a grandparents membership every year. Sadly we do not get to use it as often as we would like.
Some may consider the days I do not use it (my membership which allows two adults and five kids daily access) a gift to any family that may not be able to pay for the family to go to the zoo and does so free.
Really I would be happy to meet a young mother and her children at the entrance so she and they may educate themselves and carry those special days.
Some of my favorite memories are my mom and family at the zoo.
The goats ate grannies koolots, the baboon hit an aunt with poo because he wanted her banana. The day we went to feed tilly the elephant and my cousin was afraid and kept pulling his hand back and she slapped him with her trunk. When my little sis tried to breach a fence to grab a cracker for a monkey and I stopped her saying..... let me do it.
That monkey can tie a knot in your hair like greased lightening. Lol I sure learned what s barrier meant.
The hours of sitting forehead to forehead with that bison I named Tatonka. My years went by always seeing him. When I could not be found, someone was sent down to gather me up.
We didn't just go to the zoo and stare at animals. We took a coal mine tour, set up a huge picnic under the pavilion along with other families. We went swimming, walked trails, went to the museum and rode rides. After lunch we played a friendly game of wuffle ball or softball, etc. Kids explored on their own, adults hot to visit and catch up. Fun was had and very little cash went out except for picnic foods and a few rides.
Today the parking and entrance fees can add up for any size family.
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