Safari in Texas

Okay, I may have taken liberties in calling this a safari. Our little church family has a husband and wife and high school son on a real safari right now in South Africa, so I get their pics and their reality of a safari and lifetime adventure. But, in the urban comunity of Fort Worth lies a world renown zoological park – The Fort Worth Zoo.

So, under a thunderstorm watch, we ventured forth. Mounted our chariot, tied down the kids, and headed to the home of the wild and exotic animals. Rain never came, yet clouds darken the sky. The day was hot and humid. Yet it was a great day to walk amongst the hippos, dawned our eyes upon the mighty cats, and listened to the caws of colorful feathered and mighty sky dwellers.

We saw primates, storks, giraffes, flamingos, and tigers.

We walked in the amphibian house and saw vipers, cobras, and chameleons.

The elephants played in the water as children sprayed them with water.

But the one that sticks on my mind was the ancient and immense salt-water crocodile. It was as if a reptile from the Jurassic Period was transported into an artificial water reservoir on the outskirts of cowtown Texas. it could have swallowed our young two-year old whole and have ample room left over.

Sammy put his hand out and repeated “no touch … no touch” to all who would hear. He realized the awesomeness of the 2500 pound leviathan before him.

Most the animals were inside or remaining in the coolness of the shade. And we too tried to stay in the shade. But it wasn’t just looking at the animals on both sides of the asphalt walkways. It was finding shade, standing in the fans path, and enjoying dots. Most the animals were inside or remaining in the coolness of the shade. And we too tried to stay in the shade.

This 72 hours in Texas was a delight. But this safari on a lazy Sunday afternoon was blessing. Carrying the grandchild, seeing his eyes widen at lions and alligators and more can never be lost intros old man’s grey matter. The memories will last as long as I do.

But before we end, let me also say, young Samuel also was an amateur photographer … he grabbed my phone and snapped away. I close with the graphic imaginations and point of view of a 2 year old.