The Henry Doorly Zoo is repeatedly proclaimed to be one of the very best zoos in the country, and I have to say that I think they (whoever "they" are) are right. I arrived within 30 minutes of opening, and I spent the next 2.5 hours enjoying the zoo and aquarium.
Those of you who know me won't be surprised to hear that my first stop was the aquarium! 😎
This sculpture and fountain are just outside of the aquarium building.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the penguins. There were at least four species, including king penguins - the second largest species of penguins next to emperor penguins! I never imagined that I'd ever see a live king penguin in person, but there they were!
Considering the fact that there isn't an ocean within a 1000 miles of this aquarium, the various habitat exhibits were very good. I have, of course, been ruined for most other aquaria by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but this one, for a zoo, is actually quite outstanding.
There is also a clear walk-through tunnel where many large fishes are kept and swim around you, including leopard sharks - my first time seeing them as well.
Here are some other favorite sightings from the zoo:
This is the only side the pigmy hippos were willing to share.
Otters are always a crowd pleaser.
There were lots of reptiles and amphibians.
And I think this was the first time I ever saw an aardvark in person. I wish I could have gotten a better view of the head, but sometimes all you can see is all you get to see,
There were also large animals that many zoos have - rhinos, elephants, zebras, lions, tiger, snow leopard, cheetahs (though I looked and looked at this exhibit, but they weren't out while I was there), orangs, gorillas and other primates, etc.
If you ever find yourself in Omaha, treat yourself to the Henry Doorly Zoo. It is well laid out and can be walked, or you can take a sky tram or ground tram to get around. I did the entire zoo as a solo walker in under three hours. The paths are wide, and there is lots of shade and tree cover, as well as misting stations for when you get too hot. There are also food and snack kiosks and restrooms conveniently located around the facility. Oh, there's a theater too, but I didn't watch any shows during my visit. You could easily spend an entire day at this zoo.
Oh, it also has amazing walk-through desert, jungle, butterfly, etc. houses.
Haha...I planned ahead. I bought an year-long membership at my local zoo (IF Zoo) for just over $50. Since my zoo is part of the AZA, it has reciprocal agreements with many other zoos and aquaria across the country, and if my entire trip plan happens, it will pay for itself by the time I get home.
I was hot and getting sweaty by the time I left, so the Mud Dragons and I hopped back in the car and off we went. Where to? IOWA.
Though I spent the previous night just across the Missouri River in Iowa, I once again crossed that bridge and entered Iowa with a purpose...to drive and drive.
Iowa is a gorgeous state, with lots of low rolling hills, and more and more trees, the farther east you go.
If you live somewhere like the mountain west, southwest, or southern California, your eyes will not believe how green Iowa is. It's not quite what I'd imagine Ireland to look like, but it's green, green, green!
One other thing...my favorite gas station chain is Maverik. I used to think that they were found primarily in Utah and Idaho, but I now know that they have expanded and now have stations all along I-80, all the way across Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa.
I didn't know how far I was going to drive after the zoo...maybe Des Moines, maybe Iowa City, maybe Davenport. But, I surprised myself by driving all the way to Peoria, IL.
The drive from Davenport to Peoria was the most relaxing and enjoyable stretch of my entire trip so far. Compared to I-80, the number of semis on I-74 were few and far between. The traffic was light, and the scenery was largely open, beautiful farmland.
Stay tuned for the further adventures of Big Al and the Mud Dragons!
