Junior Zookeeper

Edmund: Junior Zookeeper

During our trip to see Grandma Kay Kay and Grandad in Harrisonburg, VA we decided to take our Junior Zookeeper, Edmund, to Virginia Safari Park. Kay Kay, Mommy, Daddy, and Edmund were the participants for this particular adventure. When we arrived at the park, we purchased tickets for the wagon ride, as this would allow us to get more up close and personal with the animals than a car would. Unfortunately we chose poor seating, as the only place you can not feed from is the front of the wagon, and of course that is where we chose to sit. For any other person it wouldn't be a problem, but seeing as I am not forceful and didn't want to lean over anyone I missed out on many a feeding opportunity. Edmund on the other hand had no problem getting to the animals as people bent over backwards to let him see. This led to a sloppy kiss from a very hungry camel. Edmund of course found this kiss hilarious. He also got to pet a bison, and view quite a few emu and ostriches. I was in heaven at the end of the ride when two of my favorite animal appeared. I got to see and pet a Highland Coo, something I hadn't been able to do since my trip to Scotland 12 years ago. For those of you who don't know, a Highland Coo is a type of cow that might as well be an oversized dog. I always likened them to my dog Shortstop. Edmund wasn't as amused as I was as nothing beats walking for him these days, but at least he got to see this curious creature in his young life.

After the wagon ride we took a walk through the rest of the park, which was more like a typical zoo. We passed one of the zookeepers who commented on Edmund's zookeeper outfit. She said she wished she had one like his. And who could blame her, as Edmund was too cute for words. Edmund enjoyed spending time watching the antics of goats and llamas in the petting zoo area. We also saw giraffes, kangaroos, and a tiger, but Edmund could take them or leave them. What's a tiger when there's walking to be had. After learning there were Highland Coos to be seen, I begged to do the safari ride again. I had saved quite a bit of feed from our wagon ride, since as you'll recall my seat prevented me from doing much feeding. Thus, we were able to travel the safari trail in our car. I think I enjoyed this even more as ostriches pecked inside the window for feed. As I turned back to Edmund to talk to him about the animals he was seeing, a Highland Coo put his head in my lap and ate all the feed. As the animal pulled his head out of the car, he left quite a bit of slobber. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little grossed out. As we headed deeper into the safari, zebras began licking our windows. For reasons that weren't explained, we couldn't feed the zebras, so we considered zebra slobber on the car windows quite a prize. It's been two weeks and we have yet to wash the slobber from the car.

Safari Park was quite the adventure. Kay Kay, Steven, and I all had a blast. Edmund seemed to think this was just a typical day in the life. Because of course we have ostriches sticking their heads in our windows every day!