B-Town's Zoo

Last Saturday Darren and I took the boys out to CALM to check out the animals there. Actually, we're members of CALM, so we try to go out there often. It's a nice little "zoo" and it's a great way to get the boys outside and throw in a little education as well. This past Saturday was "Twilight at CALM" - the zoo is from 5:30-8:00pm in the summertime. It's a way for kids to see the animals when they're active and not hiding from the blazing hot sun. They also have docents on hand to answer questions and to see some animals up close and personal. Dylan was especially excited to touch this:



It's known as a Coastal Rosy Boa. Or as I like to call it - EWWWWWW.










We eventually moved out of the reptile house - Dylan loves to hang out in there to look at ALL the snakes, lizards and his personal favorite, the Tarantula. (Double EWWWWWW.) And as soon as we walked out of the reptile house and up a short path, we found ourselves right in front of this lovely creature:





The Barn Owl.









Then we took a train ride, which was cool for Dylan, because you all know what a Thomas nut he is. The train was built for the purpose of giving rides at night during Christmastime. So at night, all you see is darkness and pretty lights. In the daytime you see dirt. Oh, and more dirt, with some rogue lizards and tumbleweeds thrown in. It goes in a big circle and it was quite an adventure. We were the only family on the train, so we chatted it up with our conductor, Larry, for quite sometime. This next picutre isn't a very good one of Noah, but it does give you a good shot of the landscape:
















Then it was onto my favorite part of CALM - Cinnamon the Bear. He's a black bear, but his fur isn't, hence the name Cinnamon. Damn, those CALM peeps are so clever.















Then Dylan the Rebel snuck a leaf to the Mule Deer. You're not supposed to feed the animals. Rules schmules!





We then finished our evening by the pond, checking out the cool tadpoles and crawfish. Or is it crayfish? Or crawdads? Well, you all know what I'm talking about. White Trash Little Lobster Thingys. We said bye-bye to the animals, threw some rocks into the stream, and headed home. It was a wonderful time spent with the boys that I love most. Daddy, Dylan and Noah.