Day 50 - Another day at the zoo, zoo, zoo

Today was meant to be another short transfer day as we moved from Olympia over to the coast.  We started by making a LOT of pancakes and then Robinson really wanted to swim from 9:30 to 10:30.  So, I put my suit back on and we started down to the water.  We got a bit distracted though because the camp manager was willing to let the boys get a bit closer to the chickens and goats while they gave them their morning breakfast.  She even taught the boys that the goats really like leaves so they were able to pull a few branches off the trees and give them to the goats.

Eventually we moved on to the water.  While I thought it was too chilly, Robinson thought it was just fine.   I waded in and only really jumped in at the very end when we were leaving.  Surpringly, it wasn’t that cold again, though it also wasn’t warm.  At 10:30, as planned, we both got out to finish packing up the camper and getting on the road.


Because we didn’t have a huge plan for the day, we had to decide what to do.  While the kids museum in Olympia looked good, we ultimately elected to go to the Tacoma zoo/aquarium.  It was supposed to be only about 50 minutes away so that felt like a manageable distance even if it was in the wrong direction.  Once we were on the road though, the time continued to increase because there was traffic again on I-5.  It seemed like there was an accident, but it might have also been because of the Taylor Swift concert in Seattle?


Despite the drive, the Tacoma Zoo/aquarium proved worth the visit.  It had some very memorable moments including

  • Robinson getting to see Siesta the sloth while Siesta was on a private show and having Siesta open up eyes to stare at Robinson\


  • An animal show featuring Dumbledog the wizard’s dog that the boys got to meet after the show



  • Some training of the new walruses the zoo recently got



  • A great view of Mt. Rainer from the top of the zoo



After the zoo, we headed back west towards our ultimate destination Westport.  We were heading into Olympic National Park for the next 3 days so we needed to stop and get some groceries.  I was also in need of some shirts so with the Goodwill store next door, I stopped in there while Amy got started on the groceries.  We were hungry and the Goodwill store was terrific so we ended up buying too much at both locations.  Good thing they will both be put to good use.


Camp was at another RV camp and while this usually isn’t our jam, this camp worked for us.  It had a lounge room that was full of games and DVDs so the boys were immediately in love with the place.  And, unlike so much of our trip, this place was naturally full of green grass with the weeds we were so familiar with from the Midwest (clover, plantain, etc).  I felt like I was camping in my grandfather’s back yard.  One other interesting plant observation was that instead of picking blackberries as we had a week or so ago, the blackberries here we just starting to bloom.  It was neat to realize how different the climates are despite not traveling that far.


As a special treat, we let the boys start watching Uncle Buck.  Amy remembered the movie very well and she wanted them to see it.  Needless to say, they loved the movie with a few fun moments of “That’s the kid from Home Alone” and “Oh no, what’s going to happen now” from the boys.


Eventually, it was too late to finish the movie so we paused it and committed to starting it again tomorrow after a (hopefully) good night of sleep.


Total miles traveled - 7,798 miles

# States/Provinces Visited - 16

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