Days 126 - 132

A little while back, Ryan and I went to the Navy Birthday Ball in Oklahoma. I spoke with the Admiral's wife at the ball. She asked if we had seen everything we wanted to in Omaha. I mentioned that we hadn't been to the zoo yet. She, coincidentally, was going to see the director of the zoo the following week and said she would talk to him about getting a private tour for Ryan and the other military guys at QLI. 

When Ryan and I saw her the following week at the Stratcom Birthday Ball, she told us that she had spoke with the zoo director and she would be contacting people at QLI to set up a private tour for us. (SO thoughtful!!!) So, this Wednesday, we all went to the zoo for a private tour. It was probably the most fun I've had all year! We had a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium, fed giraffes, and got bullied by very large gorillas.

We had a chance to see the topside of the aquarium. Most people walk underneath it and see all the fish and sharks swimming around. We had a chance to see it from the top and hear all about the fish and coral. Outside the aquarium, we were introduced to Sam the penguin. She was so cute. They brought her out to meet us, but she was facinated by all the fish in the aquarium tanks. (Probably looked like an all-you-can-eat buffet to her.) After she was put back with the rest of her friends, she kept tapping on the glass trying to get the zoo worker's attention. I think she was hungry. :)

The giraffes were so cute and peaceful. We fed them cut up carrots, apples and sweet potatoes. (By hand and by mouth. haha!) There was a very friendly, very hungry 16-month-old giraffe that would take the food however it was presented. And, she had a weird obsession with Ryan's wheelchair. 

We also got to say 'hi' to a 5-year-old gorilla. She was very sweet and playful. She had a red glove that she would try to put on, then she would pass it through the gate and watch Ryan try to put it on. It fascinated her. 

After that, we went downstairs to see the large gorillas. They were NOT happy that we were down in their pen area. They kept taking these large plastic barrels and slamming them up against the cages. They would also run full force at the cages and slam themselves up against it. Very scary. 

This weekend, Ryan stayed at the apartment by himself. The therapists wanted to see how he would do completely on his own. They were there at all times to observe how he handled things. He went to the mall on Saturday and arranged to meet me out for lunch on Sunday. He took a cab to meet me. We'll get an update from his therapist on Wednesday to see how she thinks it went.

Here are some pictures from the zoo trip.

Omaha Zoo