Tina suggested that we should go to the Toledo Zoo this weekend. It's been a while since all four of us have gone. They were calling for sunny but cool conditions - perfect zoo weather if you ask me.
We headed out in the morning, leaving around 9:30 AM. Traffic at the Ambassador Bridge was light. We only had to wait a minute or so. No problems at US Customs.
We stopped at Denny's in Monroe. Wow. The place had been renovated. Looks good. The boys asked and received Mac & Cheese for breakfast. Tina and I had the All-American Slam. The food was hot and tasty.
About 20 minutes or so later we arrived at the Toledo Zoo. During fall of 2008, the parking lot was expanded. Much more parking available now.
The cool weather meant that the animals were much more active. The boys were enthralled by two bird 'fighting' with each other. In the Primates exhibit, we were amused by the show put on by four Gibbons as they battled each other for some Romaine Lettuce. A dominant female would just grab the lettuce out of the hands and feet of the other Gibbons. Very amusing. A baby Gibbon moved around looking for her share. It was quite the display.
In the Gorilla exhibit, Jeremy could not believe how close the gorillas were - right at the window. After viewing the fishies and the amphibians, we grabbed some ice cream before Jeremy and I checked out the hippos and the elephants.
We saw a dominant penguin stand it's ground with another penguin.
The polar bears were pacing back and forth and I managed to get some excellent photos. The boys enjoyed the train ride. Jeremy got to see the giraffes and Corbin got to take some pictures.
It was 3:30 PM. Wow time flew by. A quick stop in the gift shop before heading home.
Canadian customs was full, but it only took about 20 minutes to get through. It was a great family outing.
Posted by Adam
Showing posts with label Toledo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toledo. Show all posts
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
A Trip To The Toledo Zoo
It was a good day to go to the zoo, sunny but not humid, with the occasional cloud provide a cool down period. We left around 8:45 AM. Took about 30 minutes to get through US Customs. The trip down I-75 to Toledo was uneventful and quick.
The zoo was bustling as we arrived around 10:30. I parked in the lot closest to the main entrance. The Toledo Zoo is in the middle of an expansion/rejuvenation project. The two major projects are a parking lot expansion and the construction of an indoor children's zoo. The parking lot expansion is nearing completion, while the indoor zoo is just underway.
The indoor children's zoo will be a year-round facility, unlike the current children's zoo that is open during summer months. It will be another reason to visit the zoo in the fall and winter. Good job.
It wasn't too busy or crowded. We checked out the penguins, tigers, hippos and sloth bears. Corbin seemed interested in the animals this time. The highlight of the day was watching the elephants get a wash and then watching them walk from the building to their outdoor area. Corbin and Jeremy were literally feet away from the elephants - separated by a metal gate. Both boys were very excited.
Time for lunch.Jeremy started crying hard because of the lettuce on his cheeseburger (it was easily removed). Corbin ate a double cheeseburger with fries. I had onion rings while Corbin and I shared a pop. Jeremy had a juice. Next we checked out the Amphibians and Reptile exhibit before seeing the monkeys, orangutans and gorillas.
We crossed the bridge and headed over to see what the seals and polar bears were doing. I took the boys on the train across the African Savannah. Jeremy was excited to see giraffes and zebras, while Corbin pretended he was in Africa.
A quick snack and a trip to the washroom before heading home. We spent about five hours at the zoo. No problems and everyone had a very good time.
Posted by Adam
The zoo was bustling as we arrived around 10:30. I parked in the lot closest to the main entrance. The Toledo Zoo is in the middle of an expansion/rejuvenation project. The two major projects are a parking lot expansion and the construction of an indoor children's zoo. The parking lot expansion is nearing completion, while the indoor zoo is just underway. 
The indoor children's zoo will be a year-round facility, unlike the current children's zoo that is open during summer months. It will be another reason to visit the zoo in the fall and winter. Good job. 
It wasn't too busy or crowded. We checked out the penguins, tigers, hippos and sloth bears. Corbin seemed interested in the animals this time. The highlight of the day was watching the elephants get a wash and then watching them walk from the building to their outdoor area. Corbin and Jeremy were literally feet away from the elephants - separated by a metal gate. Both boys were very excited. 
Time for lunch.Jeremy started crying hard because of the lettuce on his cheeseburger (it was easily removed). Corbin ate a double cheeseburger with fries. I had onion rings while Corbin and I shared a pop. Jeremy had a juice. Next we checked out the Amphibians and Reptile exhibit before seeing the monkeys, orangutans and gorillas. We crossed the bridge and headed over to see what the seals and polar bears were doing. I took the boys on the train across the African Savannah. Jeremy was excited to see giraffes and zebras, while Corbin pretended he was in Africa.
A quick snack and a trip to the washroom before heading home. We spent about five hours at the zoo. No problems and everyone had a very good time. Posted by Adam
Friday, 13 July 2007
Toldeo Zoo
Not wanting to do anything around the house, we decided to head to the Toledo Zoo. The weather was sunny but pleasant - perfect weather. It took a while to get through US Customs - 20 minutes or so - but no problems - as usual (it pays to have cute kids).
We decided to have breakfast at Denny's in Monroe. Much to our surprise, both boys ate their entire breakfast - guess they were hungry. We arrived at the zoo around 11:00 am. First stop was to wait in line to see the polar bear cubs. The wait wasn't too long - maybe 15 minutes - but the cubs were cute.
Before leaving, we decided to not bring the stroller, but that was a big mistake. Jeremy is not used to walking, so Tina rented a stroller. We wandered around the zoo. Jeremy seemed very interested in the animals today - he loved the primate exhibit - the monkeys and gorillas really caught his attention. I had to slightly push Jeremy to the front of the exhibits to get a better view. Corbin, on the other hand, was totally uninterested.
They had a special butterfly exhibit, where there are hundreds of butterflies flying around - sometimes landing on you. Corbin seemed to like this exhibit. Jeremy was in awe. A quick pass through the Children's Zoo and a stop at the penguin exhibit - where luck would have it - they were just about to feed the penguins. Jeremy sat on the ground and watched and watched and watched. He simply loves penguins - they are his favourite animal.
It was a nice day out with Tina and the boys.
Posted by Adam
We decided to have breakfast at Denny's in Monroe. Much to our surprise, both boys ate their entire breakfast - guess they were hungry. We arrived at the zoo around 11:00 am. First stop was to wait in line to see the polar bear cubs. The wait wasn't too long - maybe 15 minutes - but the cubs were cute.
Before leaving, we decided to not bring the stroller, but that was a big mistake. Jeremy is not used to walking, so Tina rented a stroller. We wandered around the zoo. Jeremy seemed very interested in the animals today - he loved the primate exhibit - the monkeys and gorillas really caught his attention. I had to slightly push Jeremy to the front of the exhibits to get a better view. Corbin, on the other hand, was totally uninterested.
They had a special butterfly exhibit, where there are hundreds of butterflies flying around - sometimes landing on you. Corbin seemed to like this exhibit. Jeremy was in awe. A quick pass through the Children's Zoo and a stop at the penguin exhibit - where luck would have it - they were just about to feed the penguins. Jeremy sat on the ground and watched and watched and watched. He simply loves penguins - they are his favourite animal.
It was a nice day out with Tina and the boys.
Posted by Adam
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Harlem Globetrotters
Today, Adam and Corbin headed down to Toledo, OH, to watch the Harlem Globetrotters. Corbin has been talking about this day for weeks.
Adam picked up Corbin just after lunch, packed the van and headed out. It was bitterly cold but sunny. No problems at the border and the traffic to Toledo was typical. They arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Perrysburg, OH, checked in and grabbed a bite to eat the adjacent Big Boy Restaurant. Then they hung out in the hotel room, with Corbin checking the clock on a regular basis.
The time came and they headed up to the University of Toledo campus, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. Parking was $5 and plenty was available. Corbin and Adam walked over to the arena. You could tell that Corbin was excited because he was quiet. Once inside, they headed towards their front row seats. In fact, Corbin was located right on the centre line. The boys headed up to get some souvenirs including a regulation Harlem Globetrotters basketball, a reversible jersey and a program. Corbin bought some popcorn and pop.
Corbin thoroughly enjoyed the game and even got a few autographs after the game. He was in a very happy place. Corbin's best memory of the game: two players pulling down their shorts. Adam laughed and was proud of Corbin. It was just another 'regular' father-son event.
The next day did not get off to a good start. Adam threw his back while putting his back. It wasn't debilitating, but the pain was unbearable at times. Still, he managed to get down for breakfast and enjoy those cinnamon rolls. After breakfast, Corbin went for a swim in the pool. After packing up and checking out, they headed for some shopping. They stopped at Target and Corbin bought Jeremy and himself a Star Wars figure.
On the way back home, Adam and Corbin stopped in at Denny's for lunch. Corbin managed to talk his dad into getting him a rocket drinking cup, but in return he had to eat his whole lunch. No issues at Canada Customs. They arrived home safely, just before the crazy snow squall the enveloped Essex County in a matter of minutes.
Adam picked up Corbin just after lunch, packed the van and headed out. It was bitterly cold but sunny. No problems at the border and the traffic to Toledo was typical. They arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Perrysburg, OH, checked in and grabbed a bite to eat the adjacent Big Boy Restaurant. Then they hung out in the hotel room, with Corbin checking the clock on a regular basis.
The time came and they headed up to the University of Toledo campus, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. Parking was $5 and plenty was available. Corbin and Adam walked over to the arena. You could tell that Corbin was excited because he was quiet. Once inside, they headed towards their front row seats. In fact, Corbin was located right on the centre line. The boys headed up to get some souvenirs including a regulation Harlem Globetrotters basketball, a reversible jersey and a program. Corbin bought some popcorn and pop.
Corbin thoroughly enjoyed the game and even got a few autographs after the game. He was in a very happy place. Corbin's best memory of the game: two players pulling down their shorts. Adam laughed and was proud of Corbin. It was just another 'regular' father-son event.
The next day did not get off to a good start. Adam threw his back while putting his back. It wasn't debilitating, but the pain was unbearable at times. Still, he managed to get down for breakfast and enjoy those cinnamon rolls. After breakfast, Corbin went for a swim in the pool. After packing up and checking out, they headed for some shopping. They stopped at Target and Corbin bought Jeremy and himself a Star Wars figure.
On the way back home, Adam and Corbin stopped in at Denny's for lunch. Corbin managed to talk his dad into getting him a rocket drinking cup, but in return he had to eat his whole lunch. No issues at Canada Customs. They arrived home safely, just before the crazy snow squall the enveloped Essex County in a matter of minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)