When we were all laid up, I had wanted to get Violet to the Zoo to see the butterfly house, and the “farm” there. Today was the first time that worked out with physical disabilities going away, coinciding with the time to do it.
These are bronze cast statues as you enter the zoo. Kids always like climbing all over them.
“Monkeys!” Violet exclaims and we had to stand to watch them for a while. <grin> The young ones were playing. 
Monkey kids were having fun playing in the pond. Monkey parents were sleeping in the shade.
On the way to the butterfly house the kids had to stop and pose with rhino statues. Fun enough.
At the butterfly house we had to wait until some people had cleared from the house before we were allowed in so I had time for a photo with Violet. She is not thrilled about waiting, but not distressed either. Cute though. Hard to deny that.
It was a bit difficult to keep Violet from alternately picking flowers or touching the butterflies, but it was really quite beautiful in there with them. Most of them exotic to our region, but nice to see, and be surrounded by, butterflies.
From there, we went to the Northern Trail towards the farm area at the far end of the zoo. Temps were damn near 90 degrees with high humidity and full sun, but we soldiered on.
Had to stop and see the Russian bears on the way.
And the prairie dogs.
All of the camels were dealing with the heat the only way they knew how to here. Dehydration was not an issue for them.
Eventually we made it to the farm, and then most of our time, outside of the “giant bug” exhibit was spent with the goats.
I do like goats. They are sweet animals, make fantastic milk, and go so well with hot curry in dishes.
Having the brushes there was a stroke of brilliance for whomever came up with it.
Violet made friends with more than one goat today, but this one especially appreciated the attention and brushing.
Patti found an especially affectionate goat as well.
Then a brief visit with the cows. Kids preferred the goats. I don’t blame them.
On to the chicken house.
Bacon.
Bacon seeds.
And then onto the giant animatronic bugs.
Violet loved them. Honestly, was a bit of a disappointment to me, but the kids loved it, and this kind of thing is about the kids. They thought it was great, so it was great.
They had a teenaged zoo volunteer there with a real giant bug which I thought was cool, but the kids wanted more giant animatronic bugs so we got a bit rushed past that.
And that was our day at the zoo. Really physically finished me and Patti. I took a nap before the sun was down once we got home. Kids had a blast.
