After several weeks of bitter cold weather (lows in the teens and single digits, wind chills below zero) today we got up to 40 or so. The kids and I were desperate to get out and get fresh air, so I packed a lunch, picked up the girls from school at 11:30 and headed straight for the zoo. Believe it or not, we were the ONLY PEOPLE THERE! It was wonderful! The animals were out and about - easily visible in the snow, and the temperature was just perfect. We stopped for lunch and saw only zoo staff at the concession area; we took the opportunity to talk to them to find out just where Rene's favorite cotton-top tamarin (little monkey) was. Her favorite monkey is very friendly and loves to come look at Rene at the glass. The zookeeper explained that there is a whole basement area under the monkey house where they go for training or exams, and where they live after the zoo closes. He worked in the veterinary dept so he could tell her with certainty that her monkey was definitely not sick - at least not sick enough for the vet dept to be notified. We went back to the monkey house to see if her tamarin had come back up to the exhibits yet, and we saw Mikayla, Corrina's friend from preschool. Corrina had told Mikayla we were going to the zoo and Mikayla convinced her dad to bring her to try to catch up to Corrina! Luckily they found us and we had a great time being the only visitors at the zoo! We stayed until close (5pm) and walked around to all the exhibits TWICE. A wonderful wonderful way to spend a 40 degree winter day! Luckily we all wore boots so we could tramp in the slush and splash in the puddles.
I didn't have my camera today, but here are a few pictures of Corrina and Hank dancing yesterday: