Summer Revelations...Meet Me in St. Louis!

This summer my family took a trip to Texas. We had an amazing time seeing a part of the country we hadn't before and taking in so many sites! Seriously...it was like non-stop. One day we'll learn how to take a rest, not just a vacation. But I digress.

We started in Houston, Galveston, La Porte and then visited friends in Austin before driving to Waco (I am sure that needs no explanation!) and finally topping our time in Texas off with a quick drive through Frisco before heading home.

I am sure you're wondering what the point of all of this is. Well let me tell you.

ST. LOUIS HAS THE BEST ZOO.

HANDS DOWN. PERIOD. NO QUESTION. END OF DISCUSSION.

While we really enjoyed our time at the Houston Zoo (their elephant exhibit is quite extraordinary to say the least), we knew before we ever finished our walk through that it has nothing on STL.

I mean, not even talking about the fact that they go all out for holidays with fun and interactive displays all over the park, IT IS FREE! Do you hear that Houston?!?! The St. Louis Zoo is FREE. That's right. You don't even have to pay for parking if you can find a space on the street. Today we spent the afternoon walking around and didn't even cover half the park and paid not even one penny. How much did we pay for my family of 5 to go to the Houston Zoo with a special added fee for a Big Bug exhibit which was cool but it was giant animatronic bugs? We paid $100. Yep. It was cool but free is more cool and our zoo is better. *Insert a "nanny-nanny-boo-boo" here.*

We got there around 1:30pm and the Grizzly Bears were being fed, we saw the beautiful polar bear relaxing in the shade and cool of the sand, trying to catch a nap while kids, and kdis at heart, were mesmerized by her gigantic yawn and gorgeous face. Seriously! Just look at her!

We walked up just in time to catch these orangutans swing up, literally, to the top of their habitat for a few bites from their keeper. It was fantastic! They were down by the observation glass and then ran to the trees and ropes and began climbing and swinging their way up in haste to retrieve their goodies and all those gathered to see them were in awe and giggled and watched in amazement.

I can't lie. There is something so special to me about the larger primates that we can gaze at while visiting the zoo. Their faces, eyes...I could sit there all stinking day.

That silverback had me cracking up! He was a such a thinker. And then you have the cheeky chimpanzees. This one was chilling as she ate her lunch. Right after I put my camera away she grabbed that wedge of lettuce and climbed as high as she could get!

The rest of the chimps? They had their fill and it was nap time.

The two at the top of the picture were sweet. The one on the right was smaller and the one behind kept just a couple fingers on him/her, just ever so lightly.

But the part of the day that captured us most was seeing the sea lions at a feed time!

They were a hoot! Playful and hungry for the little fish the keepers were tossing their way and enticing them with to wave, "burp," jump and twirl.

Honestly, our zoo is worthy of the title it has received for best zoo in America in a vote. And Guess what coffee lovers? It got even better this summer cause now there is a legit STARBUCKS in the zoo!

If you are not fortunate enough to live within 15 miles as we do to the #1 Zoo in America, then be jealous, but come and visit! Or as they say at the STL Zoo, "Would You Come Out and Play?" It's worth your time to come and see.