My favorite zoo.
I thought of writing about the San Diego Zoo because it’s famous, but it’s not my favorite. Maybe it was the circumstances of my visit—the company, the heatwave. It wasn’t as pleasant as I’d hoped.
My favorite zoo is a small one in Maine. When I was a kid, my parents brought me to York’s Wild Kingdom, and [many] years later, I brought my own kids. I guess you could say I have a sentimental attachment to this place. It’s just so charming. Like me!
My kids are too old to enjoy it now, but when they were younger, they loved it. They especially enjoyed seeing the lions, tigers, and bears [oh, my]. No really, those were their favorites. [I love bears, just in case you were wondering.] Wait… were there bears there? Or am I thinking of a different zoo? Fuck if I know. My memory sucks.
The place is beautiful in a very subtle sort of way. Not all fancy or flashy. Just naturally beautiful. I’m sure much of the park is the same as it was when I was a child.
So pretty.
I might have enjoyed this butterfly thing more if I didn’t have a fear of flying creatures. My kids made me go in… it was this tent and the butterflies were just flying all over the place. Landing on people and everything. It was horrific.
There’s also a small amusement park with rides for the kids… and a few for adults. But it’s all about the kids, really. *Sigh* I miss when my kids were young.
This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the London Zoo. I was 20 when I spent semester [and then some] in London. I’m not sure what made me want to go to the zoo, but I do remember that my roomies weren’t interested so I went alone. I went to Highgate Cemetery alone, too, but that’s another story.
Oh crap! I should have done my favorite cemetery for c! Damn.
• • • • •
Maybe next year I’ll challenge myself to find a hot guy for every letter of the alphabet. Below, we have the fine specimen I would choose for m.
Hmm. Lusting from A to Z? I’m going to have to write this shit down. I’ll never remember this next year. Perhaps to remind myself, I’ll hang copies of this picture all over my home.
p.s. — I don’t really particularly dislike any zoos [and I’ve been to quite a few as my kids *loved* going to see animals when they were younger], but I cannot deal with the bats, birds, the aforementioned butterflies, or anything else that flies. Or big fuzzy spiders. No. Those are the creatures of nightmares.
©2021 what sandra thinks
what sandra thinks 
Oooo I can only remember ever going to the Toronto zoo. I went last in August 2018 with the toddler and he LOVED it! We sat and watched the hippos play in their waterfall for about 30-45 mins. His choice not mine!! 😂 He loved the bat enclosure. Thankfully they were all behind glass. We went back three times to it! The last one was at like 3pm, he hadn’t had a nap and was running all over! I had to stop him, remind him how dangerous it was to run away from me, and if he didn’t stop I was calling his mom to pick us up! He wanted to take transit home (over an hour ride of bus/subway/bus/walking) so that settled him down haha! Then he fell asleep while we were on the bus hehe
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My kids loved it so much. I’m not surprised the little one had so much fun!
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Haha yeah!! 🙂🙂
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I’m unsure about zoos now. They have no doubt played a part in animal conservation but I think that any form of incarceration is bad for all animals, This is especially bad for large creatures who would normally have miles of natural habitat to roam. Enough already!
A great A to Z Sandra. Don’t stop now. I look forward to reading more in the months ahead!
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I never did find a challenge for May. Probably because I forgot to look!
I understand your thoughts about zoos. I’m a bit torn myself… but being the selfish woman that I am, I’ve got enough on my plate. I can’t worry about the animals.
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I can’t remember the last time I was at a zoo. The pictures you shared make this zoo look lovely.
Congrats on making it to letter Z.
Here is my letter Z: https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/2021/04/30/z-zappy/
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Thank you. At the end, it was a bit difficult, but I’m glad I finished!
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One of my close friends works at London Zoo. Very cool. I went to San Diego zoo when I was pregnant, it was super hot and drinking anything at all made me throw up so I passed out 😂 Memorable though!
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Oh yes, that would make it memorable! 😄 I like warm weather, but when it crosses into hot, I just want to be inside with air-conditioning … pregnant or not!
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My favorite zoo is the Bronx Zoo because I grew up going there and my mother lives nearby there now. The only other zoos that I think are as good as the Bronx are the San Diego Zoo and (surprisingly) Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Congratulations on completing another A to Z! As always I’ve enjoyed your writing and humor. Thanks for sharing these favorites!
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I totally forgot about Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I did really enjoy it there. I’ve never been to the Bronx Zoo, but I know what you mean. I didn’t grow up in Maine but we took a few vacations there when I was little and I have wonderful memories of York’s.
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment. I’ve always told myself that even when things suck, at least I still have my sense of humor!
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Thanks for your funny list of favourite things, it’s been an entertaining journey. Hell, I’m even gonna miss seeing the picture of that guy lying on the beach everyday! Hope to stay in online touch 😉
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Maybe I’ll have to get myself to post every day going forward, about who-knows-what, if only to keep sharing my beach dream guy. 😏 I’d love to get myself to keep writing instead of disappearing after A to Z like I did last year… and I’d certainly like to keep in touch!
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Do keep in touch, and hope you keep writing, I enjoy reading your view of the world!
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However disturbing my view may be…!
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The more disturbing, the better 😉
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Always loved zoos. Congratulations on surviving this year’s challenge!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Highgate is real cool! ❤
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I loved it! I spent hours there. 🙂
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My pal took me there on his motorbike about 30+ years ago – its awesome and amazing place, I loved it there! ❤
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I took a bus… and had a bit of a walk. 🙂
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That Maine zoo is beautiful! And congrats for finishing the Challenge!
Dena from Operation Awesome
https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com/
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Thanks! Part of me is glad it’s over, but then the other part will kinds of miss it!
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Congratulations on finishing this year’s challenge!
I enjoyed reading your posts! They were simple, short and most importantly 😏
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With a challenge like this, I try to keep the posts relatively short… otherwise, I think I’d lose people along the way! 🙂
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That is smart!!
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I am SO happy that you posted that! My boyfriend and I are heading to York for four days this summer. I’ve gone to York almost every summer of my life, but I’ve never made it to the Zoo. I am *definitely* going this summer. (I was anyway, but this post confirms that I absolutely have to!)
Congrats on completing A to Z!
– Jayden Vincente
Erotic fiction author
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Oh, I’m so jealous! I haven’t been on any sort of real vacation for years… like, many many years. And at this point, I’d probably be happiest going alone. That’s kind of sad. But I hope you have a wonderful time. 🙂
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