Saturday's Adventure: Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

When Mike asked earlier in the week if he could go golfing with some buddies on Sunday, I decided we needed to make Saturday a fun family day. Our free weekends are numbered, so I really want to take advantage. And now that Ella is on a schedule and she can interact more, outings are much more fun. 

I asked a local mom-group what their recommendations were for a day trip with an 8-month-old, and I got a few ideas. Ultimately, we decided on Lake Tobias Wildlife Park. It's about 90 minutes away, and their website was intriguing. They have a safari, a zoo, and a petting zoo. We didn't do the safari because another hour of sitting still in a car would probably be too much for Ella [and thus slightly dreadful for everyone else], but walking around in her stroller was just our style.

So we loaded up and hit the road right at nap time. She slept the entire way there, and woke refreshed and ready for our adventure.  

There were picnic tables, shelters, and playgrounds all around, so we sat and had a little snack lunch as the light rain passed.

One of the first animals we saw was Dominic the Dunkey and his Sicilian donkey friends.

Next, a few of mini horses that we got to feed for a quarter. 

We made it to the Reptile Pavilion just as a show was starting. It was educational and fun! 

[who knew toads soak up your hand lotion through their skin and secret deadly, milky poison from behind their eyes?!]

The keeper even fed a sloth some cheese!

Ella loved looking at the colorful macaws

And the baby deer 

No, Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike, it wasn't HumpDayyyyyy

So the camel was relaxing

We even got to play with the baby goats in the petting zoo!

They also had monkeys, zebras, bears, lions, and tigers. We had such a fun day. Everyone was worn out, and Ella slept the entire drive home.

Mike was skeptical of taking a day trip so far away, but in the end he gave it an A. 

He said next time he'll give it an A+ if I pack sandwiches :)