MDW/Part III

Once again, our hopes for a sun-filled day was threatened by rain.  On Monday we planned to take H & H  to the Tulsa Zoo.  Excitement was high and the bags were packed!  By the time we got to Gentry, a mere 30 minutes away, the gloom of gray/stormy skies seemed to be settling in for the extent of the weekend.  Can I even express my unabridged disappointment?!? Not without sounding like a spoiled little baby-brat.  

Jason suggested (with WAY too much enthusiasm) that we just stop off in Gentry (after all, we did get a late start). Anyone from NW Arkansas knows the ins and outs of this treasured jewel.  It is a drive-thru safari, if you will.  We have visited way too many times and have gotten a different outcome every single time with our out-of-town guests.

 We tried to visit the petting zoo and see all the cute, cuddly animals (baby bunnies, pot-bellied pigs, monkeys, snakes) while the rain was away but within minutes it seemed to find us so we decided to pile back in the car (after a diaper change and a potty break and many requests for snacks) to make our eventful trek thru the "jungle."  We had many birds make their appearance at our window and plenty of deer, yak, and other wild beasts.  Really the most fun was letting the "littles" ride in our laps up front. They didn't care what type of wild animal they saw begging for food and licking at our windows.  They just loved being a part of the front seat and getting unlimited treats handed their way.   

After our drive through the not-so-exotic-but-kind-of-interesting-safari we stopped at the entrance again because the sun was actually trying to come out.  To ensure that our eldest got the most out of the trip, her sweet Daddy promised her a camel ride and hopped on with her.  Ever since being abruptly thrown off a horse in my younger days do I regretfully decline to mount a 4-legged animal, thank you.  It was the highlight of Hanna's trip and has since told everyone about riding the "cam-bell."  

 

Mine and Jason's highlight of the trip, and in no particular order;   an unexpected Sonic dinner (yes, first), and arriving home 4 hours earlier than predicted.   Hope your MDW involved less rain.