Day 15

National Zoo

May 21, 2013, 8:25 PM

Well this is going to be a tough one to write tonight. We were so looking forward to going to the National Zoo and it was a huge disappointment. Oh my gosh and what a mess even trying to get there. Steve was very diligent and he researched the parking situation, it's not good. If you aren't there early, and I do mean early, forget being able to park in the lot. So we decided we aren't going to take a chance, we are going to take the Metro. I have heard for years that the Metro is the way to go if you're going into DC. It is supposed to be much better then trying to drive into the DC area. Well let me tell you what, you better know what you are doing before you try going down that road. First we had to make a call to the Metro people to even figure out what line to take and what stop to get off. Then we had to figure out where to get the Metro. Well we drive to the stop where we want to get on and there is a parking lot, nice of them, well you have to pay to park to pay to ride, sounds like a Disney deal. Anyway, we drive around this lot and there are NO parking spots, none, nada, zip, zero, zilch, nuttin honey!!!!! 

So we leave, you have to pay to get out, oh that is not happening. Hell No!!!! So there is an intercom button on the automated machine to take your money, we pushed that and told the guy we aren't paying, there are no spots. There is no one on the premises to see that the lot is full and put a closed sign, nothing. So we drive to the next stop on the Metro line. There is a parking garage there. I think we got the LAST spot. Ok, whatever, we are parked now let's get on the train. Oh that's easier said than done. On my gosh, you can't just buy a ticket and get on the train, you have to buy a pass and put money on it and figure out how much you're going to need. The ride is a different fee if you are riding peak or off peak. Oh my gosh we were so confused and again no one to ask, just a wall of machines. WELCOME TO THE NATIONS CAPITOL!!!!!!!!!

We finally got on a train, we weren't sure how to know what stop you're at and we were talking and a very nice little girl sitting across from us said she was going to the zoo too and she pulled up the map on her iPhone. She was really a doll, she came with her husband, from Guatemala, her husband works at the embassy and he was doing training and she was taking in sights. We walked a few blocks with her and chatted with her. She was very sweet. 

OK so FINALLY we are at the zoo, not so bad, we made it. The zoo is free, it is considered one of the Smithsonian museums, yeah well that's good cause it just cost us about $33 to get here on the freaking train. Oh and by the way, the map, you have to pay for it. WHATEVER!!!!!!! Actually the man at the kiosk with the maps as you walk in was very nice and very helpful. He told us the route to take, and then ride the free shuttle bus back to the entrance when we are done. Nice tip too cause the zoo is on a hill and you start at the top, that sounds good right you are going down hill to see all the animals. But you have to get back UP!!!!!!

All of this, I'm so ready to see some animals. I almost shreaked, there was a chipmunk right in the middle of the path, we are barely inside the gate, and there is a chipmunk. I haven't seen a chipmunk in years, since I left Pennsylvania, 20+ years ago now. I'm thrilled!!!! Chipmunks are so sweet and adorable, who knew that would be almost the last animal we'd see at the zoo. I think they just have cages and habitats and they put signs up, but they don't really have the animals in there. We saw almost no animals. It is pretty, it is a beautiful park, but the animals aren't displayed well at all. 

Oh well, it had to happen, there had to be at least one zoo that wouldn't live up to the hype. So let's hope this is the first and the LAST zoo that just ain't that great. Trust me people, don't bother with this one.