Mom and I have started to walk together -- now that she is retired!! I have a membership at the zoo, and she mentioned joining the zoo for when the family comes in July for Dad's 60th bday. And when she mentioned joining she talked of walking there and I jumped on that. I said "I'll go walking with you at the zoo!!"
So this past week on Tuesday she picked me up and off we went -- we did 1.2 miles in about an hour (slow pace but it was our first time and also we walked around areas where there are many monkeys and you just gotta stop and see the monkeys!).
Thursday morning she picked me up again, and this time we did the "North America" route -- (monkeys were all in Africa etc.) and saw bears, some sort of elk, otters! (soo cute -- the otters come running over to greet you and swim alongside you as you walk) and then we went up into the Asia Quest area -- where the tigers are. As we got to the tiger area, we went into the building -- the tigers were both very near the glass area. It looked like the younger one wanted to wrestle and play but the older one was grumpy and snarling and growling at her. (both females) The zookeeper explained to us that the older tiger is new and that she has never been in an enclosure with another female before so they are "getting to know one another". Mom was standing several feet back and at one point was telling me to "pretend I was in the wild... watching them" -- I was standing right up next to the glass, transfixed.
The younger one finally gave up her taunting of the older one and went for a long drink at the pool right in front of me (and YES I WAS KICKING MYSELF FOR NOT HAVING BROUGHT MY CAMERA!!!!) -- and then she stopped drinking and began to stalk me.
I froze.
Even tho there was 4 inches at least of glass in between us.
I just froze.
She got closer and closer.
Finally her nose was right next to my elbow -- I was afraid to make eye contact, and I was petrified -- all the hairs on my arms were standing STRAIGHT up -- she sniffed my elbow and then began to walk away.
By this point I regained my senses and remembered that my cell phone was in my pocket and that there's a camera on it -- so I pulled it out and got two shots, one of her walking away, and one of her lying down on the ground near where I was standing.
Soooooooooo amazing. Just absolutely amazing.
When we got back to the car I asked how far we'd gone -- and Mom said we'd done 1.99 miles -- so I said "quick -- around the car til we get to 2!!" so we started walking around the car until we hit that 2 mile mark (was only about 3 steps!) -- how funny did we look!!!
So second walk we did 2 miles in about an hour. We also went on Friday and did 2.18 miles in about an hour. So getting more in each time. Pretty soon it will be 4 miles! *grin* I dunno -- but we're increasing it each time... and I feel incredible after each time we walk. The zoo is the perfect motivation for me -- and it's an interesting place to walk around, not flat, lots of shade and interesting paths. Plus with the motivation of seeing the tigers and otters and monkeys... well I'd go there every day! Yes... I *am* such a big kid. I don't even deny it!
Posted by kristen at May 27, 2007 8:41 AM