This zoo is pretty cool. I didn't know what to exp...

This zoo is pretty cool. I didn't know what to expect, but it really surpassed my assumptions. We came in January, and got there right at opening. We got to witness the releasing of the giraffes, and got to be some of the first to purchase lettuce and feed them. Their long, quivering tongues longing for a little bit of romaine are slightly intimidating at first, and kinda throws you off when their tongue wraps around your finger, but they're so sweet and gentle. I loved being able to be so close. Even feeding the goat was fun! Put the food in the bucket, and the goat runs up to the scaffolding to turn a wheel to bring up your offering! Very cool. One star deducted because the ape house was literally one of the worst smelling places I've ever been. It was hot and oppressively, heavily rank. People were dry heaving. It was a special, spicy stink that makes your nose burn and run, even when you're only breathing through your mouth. Also, the taste level in the reptile house was questionable. It looked like the zoo had a low budget for decoration and went to tjmaxx clearance. Really weird.
The sky ride was fantastic and totally worth the fee. You can go as many times as you want! And it was so fun to be able to drive through the zoo and up to the shrine afterward. What a blast from the past m places just aren't run like this these days, and it's very special.