We have a season’s pass to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma because a day’s visit for a family of six costs almost as much as a family membership. The 13-year old boys find the whole ordeal of visiting the zoo taxing and they always complain before going. The 8-year old rejoices because he adores animals. The 4-year old dances around with glee because she remembers feeding the goats and riding the merry-go-round.
The zoo is small, but perched on a hill overlooking the Puget Sound. The paths between exhibits curve over gentle hills. You never really have to push through crowds. The peacocks roam freely, occasionally puffing up their tail-feathers in a beautiful show of intimidation which always reminds me of the peacock feather I once picked up from a zoo when I was a kid.
At the zoo, you can always see the elephants up close. Once, we watched a polar bear swim in circles only inches from our faces–on the other side of the glass. The walruses swim in lazy circles, brushing up against the window.
But you can never really see the tigers. The tigers doze in the shade, camouflaged by tall grass. A gully and a pond and a wall and some stairs separate us from the tigers. So, the tigers are sort of boring. You can’t really see them and they don’t really do much.
I feel like a yawning tiger in the zoo. I wonder why anyone comes here to peer at me since my life is a big snooze-fest. I ought to give refunds to anyone who stumbles by because there is nothing to see here.
At least not today. Check back, though, and maybe I’ll be chasing small prey and slashing the couch with my razor-sharp claws. Or not.
Actual Unretouched Photo 
But Mel, to me the tigers are the most fascinating animals – they are beautiful and awe-inspiring! And unlike lions – they are not lazy. True feline grace – it is a privilege to watch them! As it is to read your blog..
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WHAT???
Your blog is AMAZING!
Really.
I’m addicted.
And, at least you GO to the zoo to see the animals. I’m also addicted to checking in on the giant panda and her baby girl on the PandaCam at the Atlanta Zoo.
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Your nothings speak volumes.
Besides, the anticipation of action is the real hook.
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Those tigers do stuff when we’re not watching… I’m guessing your family is pretty much the same way.
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It’s been a long time since I was at the Pt. Defiance Zoo. 1971? I dunno. But, I seem to remember Ft. Nisqually? Is that right? I seem to remember there was either a reconstruction or a mock-up of what the fort would have looked like. All the buildings and fencing were made of douglas fir logs.
Does that ring any bells?
Thanks for bringing back some memories…!
Took our girls to the Oakland Zoo this weekend. They had a blast. The Oakland Zoo is small, but very well managed. I don’t get depressed after see the animals. They actually seem quite contented. From some parts of the zoo you can see the San Francisco Bay.
.
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Mel you are too funny! Ive always enjoyed your blog!
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I feel the same way at my blog, too, and yet people keep stopping by. What I find funny is the entries that really mean something profound to me may hardly get a response, while something I’m just dribble-drabbing about will get a bunch of comments. Isn’t it weird how that works? But it’s my life journal for my little grandson…doesn’t matter to me whether 10 or 1000 come in a day. I’m thankful for EVERY visitor who shows up.
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I will never forget visiting the point defiance zoo and aquarium as a youngster and being scared to death when my Dad leaned out over the big fish tank from above with my brother on his shoulders. I thought for sure he would be swimming with the sharks.
I went back years later, and found (like many things in life) that the huge tank wasn’t really that big after all.
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