On the Road Again

5) CGSwans is right - SW speckled rattlesnakes are beautiful creatures; I'm currently keeping a white specimen, and unlike the other C. pyrrhus I've kept before, he's as friendly as a rattlesnake can be. Your gf can relax, though; you'll have a hard time getting one in Oz.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Just as I agreed with your assessment of Los Angeles Zoo, I agree completely with your assessment of Phoenix Zoo. I have a feeling you and I see eye to eye in many ways on zoos. Since you are now in my state and I am familiar with that zoo (and currently a member), I will make a few observations.

1) Rain in March is unusual and for us in the desert rain at any time is always a blessing. I also think rainy days are the best time to visit a zoo (anywhere, unless it's a severe downpour).

2) Arizona Trails (which does have dreadfully small cat exhibits) actually is quite old, contrary to your hunch. I first visited Arizona in 1992 and it was there then. I am not sure how much earlier it was built. The only major recent change was the paving of the path all the way to Mexican wolves; it used to be a gravel path.

3) Arizona (as of now) only has a few confirmed cases of C19 virus whereas California has a lot, so I think it is good that you moved east from your starting point. The whole situation is bad for everyone - you may have seen that @lintworm was forced to cancel his trip due to yesterday's presidential proclamation about European visitors. I am a planner too who likes to have everything pre-arranged (one area that my friend @snowleopard and I have nothing in common). I certainly understand your frustration but as you say, all you can do is make the best of it and carry on and watch how things progress. My advice is to do what you did yesterday - enjoy your zoo visits (and other outings) and temporarily forget there is a pandemic.

4) The only thing I will add about the Africa section is it has the best cheetah exhibit I have seen. You may or may not know, but the neighboring wild dog exhibit (which has the same design) was a second cheetah exhibit for many years.
Click to expand...

I thought Arizona Trails was around the early 21st century mark, which I guess means it’s no longer ‘new’ but still flagged the cat enclosures as baffling errors.

You are right - the cheetah exhibit is gorgeous. And made better by two quite active cheetahs!
 
CGSwans said:
Oh dear. My writing gets far too flowery when I’m stressed. It’ll have to do, though.
Click to expand...

CGSwans said:
(Hmm. Having struggled so much to start writing, I really am going on a bit now. I’ll try to hurry it up).
Click to expand...

Heh, I think this demonstrates our writing styles and methods are more akin than one might initially think :p
 
In the Phoenix Zoo review @CGSwans mentions an unseen black rhinoceros, but Phoenix has always had white rhinoceros. This must be a new arrival if your id is correct.
 
Now this is embarrassing! I did only see the rhino from a distance, but I could have sworn the sign said black rhino. I guess sometimes the mind only sees what it expects to see, but I can tell the difference... usually. :(
 
In other news. I have called time on this trip. I am in Tucson for at least the next couple of days, and barring any sudden closure announcements I hopefully have two more zoos to visit before flying home some time early next week.

This trip was *supposed* to last until February next year and I had plans to visit around 30-35 states along the way, plus parts of Canada and Mexico. I would have gotten to nearly every major zoo on the continent. Not to be.
 
CGSwans said:
In other news. I have called time on this trip. I am in Tucson for at least the next couple of days, and barring any sudden closure announcements I hopefully have two more zoos to visit before flying home some time early next week.
Click to expand...
That sucks. Will there be a return in the future?

I was going to be going on my next big trip right around now, but I had put it off for another year (start of 2021 some time) due to not having enough money yet. I'm feeling pretty fortunate in that now.
 
CGSwans said:
In other news. I have called time on this trip. I am in Tucson for at least the next couple of days, and barring any sudden closure announcements I hopefully have two more zoos to visit before flying home some time early next week.

This trip was *supposed* to last until February next year and I had plans to visit around 30-35 states along the way, plus parts of Canada and Mexico. I would have gotten to nearly every major zoo on the continent. Not to be.
Click to expand...
That has to be incredibly disappointing. I'm sure this decision wasn't taken lightly and your probably not even thinking about this right now, but are there any plans for a return trip once this all blows over? I am extremely sorry your trip got cut so short because this damn virus, but I hope you enjoyed and will enjoy your time in the states.
 
I am home safely and, as best I can tell, perfectly healthy. I’m not sure when (or even if) I will have the energy to write about my visits to Reid Park Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, but it would be remiss of me not to thank @Arizona Docent for being a wonderful host and guide at ASDM. Thanks for a great morning, and a few brief hours of peace and normality in a strange new world.
 
I do hope you are able to write the reviews when you feel up to it. I imagine I am not the only one who would be interested in reading them. As I am sure you can tell you got back just in time because restrictions are getting more severe by the day (not just in zoos - most of which are closing - but society wide). Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is closed starting today (Tuesday) and Reid Park Zoo is closed starting tomorrow (Wednesday). Tucson's mayor also ordered today that all bars must close and all restaurants be open only for take-out or delivery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top