Last Thursday, Hadley and I played hookey from school and work.
I’ve long wanted to pull her out of school for a girl’s afternoon and hope to make it a tradition for each of my kids every year. When I was extended an invitation to preview the Denver Zoo’s new Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, the stars were aligned.
And we didst skip.
Toyota Elephant Passage
The Denver Zoo’s newest elephant habitat has been nearly a decade in the making and will finally open to the public on June 1, 2012. With 10 acres of varied terrain and 2 miles of interconnected trails, Toyota Elephant Passage not only showcases Southeast Asia’s wildlife (including elephants, one-horned rhinoceros, Malayan tapir, the fishing cat, clouded leopard and the Asian small-claws otters) but there are a lot of interactive elements to it.
Like this Tuk-Tuk.
I am screaming partially due to the crazy driver but also out of discomfort because those back seats are made for short people.
Or this Brachiation Station where kiddos can swing like monkeys.
I stayed far, far away from this one.
If you’re local and want more details of the new exhibit and our adventures, be sure to go to Mile High Mamas.
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The Hike
I’ve long had a favorite secret hike that my kids did with me as babies in the backpack. And no, I’m not revealing its whereabouts; the hike is unknown to most everyone and I hope to keep it that way.
The trail is beautiful but steep near the summit but I figured Hadley was ready after showing me her hiking prowess on Turkey Trot last winter. We started out at a moderate pitch and we had a lovely time.
But when that trail turned steep the last 20 minutes to the summit? Whining. I had not taken into account my girl is out of shape for hiking (that will quickly be rectified this summer). Here’s a great shot of her mid-whine (click the picture for the full effect).
After I snapped it, she snapped back, “I’m deleting that picture!”
Guess what: she forgot.
I didn’t let her give up and the views of 14,2600-foot Mount Evans were so worth it. I mean, just look how high her little legs took her!
I’ll never forget our hike down because it was yet another reminder my girl is growing up. All the pain of our ascent was forgotten as we had “The Talk.” Not the birds and the bees just yet but the one that talks about the joys of puberty.
My, how disappointed she is going to be when it happens.
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The Lunch
And nothing beats the puberty talk than eating at our favorite restaurant–Country Road Cafe– outside of Evergreen, CO.
If you’re ever in Colorado, you have to go. Just just take a look at their menu. They truly have the most amazing breakfasts and sandwiches/paninis.
As we drove home exhausted and happy, Hadley exclaimed, “THAT WAS AWESOME!”
I can’t wait to repeat that awesomeness every year with her.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 