National Zoo

Saturday T and I went to the National Zoo, and like all Smithsonian things, it was free.  Seriously, I love all the free things to do in D.C.  The zoo really wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be.  We went right as the zoo opened so some of the animals weren't out yet.

At the entrance to the zoo.  I love that it looks like I am in a jungle and I stumbled across some pretty awesome (and well manicured) ruins.

As T and I were meandering we were talking about how cute and furry baby lion cubs are.  T said, "I just want to cuddle one.  That's why the millennium is going to be awesome!  As soon as it happens I am making a beeline for the zoo!"

See how cute and cuddly:

(from zooborns!)

A red panda.  He was so close and so furry; T really wanted to pet him.  Some teenage boys going past, who obviously didn't read the signs, thought this was a lemur.  Really.

Panda fun!  

Getting his noms on.

There were quite a few exhibits closed for construction.  This was in front of the partially closed elephant exhibit.  I guess we can go back in 2013 to see the monkeys and sea lions.

The opened portion of the elephant enclosure.  They look so dirty!  I know that the dirt / mud is a sunscreen and also keeps the bugs from biting, though.

This is an orangutan on the "O-line."  It's a series of towers in enclosures connected with rope to mimic their natural habitat and ways of moving around.  The orangutans can move about freely and the lines actually cross some of the main pathways.   Talking about orangutans has totally made me want some cold Tang!

Just after we snapped this photo, the orangutan decided to randomly slide all the way down the hill on his back.

A different form of the self-portrait.  I didn't realize there was a scratch on the mirror in front of T's face until just now. :(

That's a crocodile right up against the glass and kids right up against the other side of the glass.  Both sides are wondering what it would be like if the glass were not present...

 Fact: Polar bears and komodo dragons are the only animals that will actively stalk humans as prey.

Pretty lions.

T really liked this younger lion on the right.  He thought it looked like the lion was plotting.

I really liked the cheetah exhibit.

We saw the zoo in about 2.5 hours.  The zoo food was totally overpriced, as expected, but there are lots of picnic areas if you want to bring your own lunch.  The zoo does have on site parking for $15, but as we were leaving there was a big sign that said "all lots full" so definitely arrive early.  We were able to park for free in the neighborhood because it was a weekend.  Parking in the zoo neighborhood is always free, it just has a two hour time limit during the week.  The zoo was fun, but it was just like any other zoo (well, maybe not like San Diego Wild Animal Park).  If you're a tourist on a short visit to D.C. and have a zoo in your hometown, I would skip the National Zoo just because there are so many other things to do that are completely unique to D.C.  But if you're on a longer D.C. trip, don't have a zoo in your hometown, or you have kids, I would recommend the zoo. 


As we were driving home we saw a sweet parking spot near The White House.  So we parked.  Hey, when life hands you the gift of a beautiful parking spot in downtown D.C. you take it.  This is the backside of The White House.  The kitchen garden is just off to the left.  Doesn't this picture look so fake?!

Facing away from the back of The White House is the Washington Monument.  I have no idea why the auto settings used the flash in this photo - it was crazy bright outside!

We walked all the way around The White House (it's a big property!) to the front, which is much closer to the fence.  You can make out a sniper on the roof if you look closely.

We stopped at a gift shop east of The White House where we scored this beautiful ornament for $12.

We have been looking for a White House ornament since we arrived in D.C.  Most are the yearly ornaments and we wanted one without a date on it - we won!  Now we just need to find a "Virginia is for Lovers" ornament... At this particular gift shop they have a reproduction of the Oval Office - specifically the President's desk - so you can get a very presidential looking photo.  I thought it was actually kind of cool and it was only $5, but we were so not looking presidential that day.

Me with Andrew Jackson in the park in front of The White House.

And then we went home and I slept for an hour.  Weekend naps are great.  The end.