Washington National Zoo- No Panda-monium

We are working our way down the list of places not yet seen in the last 13 months here in DC Metro.  The list is lengthy and it is unbelievable how many events and places are within a short drive from our apartments.

Tom and I have driven past the Smithsonian Washington Zoo many times on the weekends and noticed the jam-packed parking lots.  Admission to the zoo is free, since it is a Smithsonian property, but don't be fooled. Unless you are clever enough to take the metro, you will pay the price for parking.  You can even pay extra to reserve a parking spot-what?!

"Save Time and Stress—Reserve a Parking Spot
The Zoo is a very popular destination, and parking lots often fill up early in the day, especially in spring and summer. Street parking in the neighborhood is quite limited. Save yourself time and stress with a new option! You can now reserve a parking spot by calling FONZ Guest Services at 202.633.4486 Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Just give us a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, and we’ll have a spot waiting for you. The rates are $30 for nonmembers and $20 for members. (Parking rates for nonmembers are $16 for the first three hours, and $22 for more than three hours. Parking is free for FONZ members.)"

Well, not so unexpected, when you realize that parking is at a premium in our area and woe be unto those who are not proficient at parallel parking.  When we go to the Whole Foods store they have underground parking and they have someone directing traffic full time- amazing, or maybe I am just a country bumpkin.

We planned our visit for a weekday and thought we were so clever to beat the crowds. The day was overcast and the evenings have turned cool, so we figured we would have nice cool day to enjoy the zoo.  Armed with unnecessary umbrellas and jackets, we parked and set out on  the first trail.  There is a bit of an incline on the trail and although the zoo was beautiful and uncrowded-yay, we did feel the exertion and the heat.  At the conclusion of the visit- which we did immensely enjoy, I was soaked in sweat and  drips were falling off the front of my a-line haircut. I don't think I am imagining that people were giving me curious looks!  When we listened to the news that evening, we found out that the humidity was 97%!!!!!!! No wonder we were miserable.

The zoo is famed for it's pandas and wouldn't you know it, the pandas were off display, although we could see the monitoring screens for their dens. There was a baby panda watch a few months ago that fizzled and the news was about as big as the latest Redskin's game. This was the only glimpse of a panda that we saw that day, save for the souvenirs in the gift shops.

The thing about going to the zoo, is that it is a whole different experience from when I was a child and got to go to the Portland Zoo.  Now, this generation of children are being schooled in the eminent extinction of the earth's creatures due to mankind's misbehaviors.  The innocence of enjoying the site of the beautiful animals is just not the same.

So many of the exhibits had signage regarding the habitats of the animals and their decreasing populations. I remember hearing about the extinction of the dodo bird and the  passenger pigeons, as a grade school kid, but a lot has changed since then. I remember thinking the first Earth Day when I was a freshman in high school was no big deal- turns out my biology teacher was right- we are in danger of destroying the earth. It makes my heart break for my future and present grandchildren. 

 Speaking of grandchildren- we bought souvenirs for Sam and a new grandchild who will be arriving in May- via Holly and Ryne!

Here is a link for watching the animals on a live cam- via your computer:  http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/default.cfm

It was really interesting to see the great apes- one gorilla was sitting at the glass window watching a visitor play a game on their I-Pad. After seeing the new Planet of the Apes movie, I saw these guys in a whole different way.......

There is an outside orangutan express way that of course was closed that day- darn it.  Apparently, the apes can use a zip line to go from inside (the Think Tank) to their outside area to get some fresh air. I am not sure how they keep them from dropping on the heads of unsuspecting visitors? 
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ThinkTank/Exhibit/default.cfm

Worth the trip if you are in the area.  Another venue checked off our list of must-sees and many more to go!