Lions, Giraffes, and Goats, Oh My!

We got back from Crescent Beach a couple of days ago, our beach vacay with my family. But while I sort through the pics from our trip, I had to use a little nap time to share Z's (and my) first trip to Lion Country Safari. The weekend before we headed north for vacay, my friend Jess and her little girl invited Zoey and I to brave the heat (and booyyy was it HOT!) and check it out. It's not too far from home, the girls got in free, and we were able to download a coupon online. Score!

After wrangling the carseat into the backseat of Jess's car, which took way longer than it should have and caused me to drip sweat, we were headed on our way. We decided that this would be a good time to test Z with her carseat front-facing, and I think her legs must have been so happy to not be folded up and squished. (If you're one of those folks who believe that kids should stay rear-facing until their ninth birthday, please keep it to yourself. We do what's right - and yet still safe - for us. Thanks.)

If you're not familiar, the Lion Country Safari adventure begins with a drive through the animal enclosures. With our girls on our laps (relax...the car was moving at 5 mph - max!), we saw a variety of antelopey/gazelley type animals, ostriches, zebras, rhinos, lions (which I failed to photograph...#zoofail), and my favorite, giraffes. Most of them were pretty lazy, thanks to the heat, but it was pretty amazing to have such awesome animals so close to the car.

Sorry for the horrible reflections of my legs. These guys were all so close to us, I couldn't resist snapping a shot! 

I was seriously tempted to open the window and pet a few that were really close, and it was super tough to keep myself from busting out of the car to run around and hug all of the giraffes! They're gentle giants, right?!

After the driving tour, we visited the park, which is more zoo-like.  We saw flamingos, giant porcupines, tortoises, macaws...but the animals that Z most enjoyed were the goats.  She was a little timid at first, but eventually greeted each goat in the petting area with a sweet "hi-ee" and a nice pat on the side. But there was one goat that she was especially enamored with-a sweet little black goat who was just chillin' in the shade.  I'm thinking that Zoey thought the goats were just strange looking dogs. The kid loves dogs.

After the goats, we went straight for the giraffe feeding area. I had done this a few times before at another zoo, but it never gets old. I was so excited for Z to feed the giraffes and see those long blue tongues.  She absolutely loved it. Lots of squeals and silly laughs. Seriously! How could you not love those faces?!

Before we left, a visit to the splash pad was essential. By now, it was at least 500 degrees and splashing around in the water sounded pret-ty good. We suited the girls up and let them run around for a bit in the craziness. After a while, Zoey threw an epic tantrum and it was time to hit the road.

We're talking a screaming-at-the-top-of-her-lungs, flailing, squirming, surely-everybody's-judging type of tantrum. We've all been there. It was obviously well past nap time. She was sacked out before we even made to the interstate.

We had such a great time, though I don't think I'll visit again unless it's cooler than 85 degrees outside. Did I mention it was hot?!

Have you guys had any great adventures in epic heat this summer?