It was FREE!!!!

Today, after church and lunch with friends, we decided to go visit a zoo that is free of charge! Our hopes weren't very high being that it was free, but we thought...ahhh...let's check it out anyway. BOY were we surprised!

The zoo was located in a park area and had 24 exhibits. They had red pandas, giraffes, zebras, a camel, baboons, chimps, penguins, lions, tigers, and bears....oh my! You could get closer to the animals than I have ever been able to get. We had a good time. Check out the pictures below.

The Red Panda

This peacock was just roaming around the park checking everyone out and looking for food.

One of three chimps at the zoo. There was a man talking to one of the chimps and it must have gotten angry at him because the chimp turned around and stuck its bottom to the cage and then ran off. I was waiting for the poo to fly.

The tigers and the lions were in cages next to each other and we were standing about 3 feet from the cage. The way the cage was designed there was no way the animals could reach through the bars but if you were dumb enough to stick your hand in...well...you're on your own there.

A black bear!?!?!?! Who said you had to go to the Smokies to see one?!?!?!

"That's right....I am the king....The Lion King baby!"

These animals are soooo massive! Their paws were as big as my face!

the penguin exhibit was not enclosed. We could actually jump in and swim if we wanted.

Need I say anything on this one...eewww!!!

These were chickens at the petting zoo. Yes, you read that right. At the petting zoo they had chickens, baby chicks and mice for you to pet and hold.

Avery and I holding baby chicks. They were so cute! Avery wanted to put some in her pockets to take home.

Apparently this is a sign indicating how not to hold the baby chicks. I'm not sure what clued us in on this one....maybe....the sweating squawking chick in the circle on the right...who knows.