As you walk up to the front gate, you can feel the childlike excitement build. It had been ages since you had been to a zoo or an aquarium, now both on the same day? As you stand in line and wait for your turn to pay you look up at the sign above:

Detroit Aquarium and Zoo

Adults $3

Children under 12 $1.50

Seniors $2

You pay your fee and grab a map. To the right is the zoo; to the left is the aquarium. You stand at the crossroads deciding which part to start with.

The zoo contains the African exhibit which includes the lion, tigers and gorillas, the North American exhibit which includes the bears, deer and moose, the bird house, the snake shed, the Asian exhibit which includes the pandas, elephants and rhinos.

The aquarium contains sharks, dolphins, killer whales, crabs, lobsters, starfish, jellyfish, walruses, seals, sea lions, penguins and an assortment of fish. Live shows run every hour featuring different animal performers.

You think to yourself “Good thing I got here early, this is going to take all day to see everything”. You finally decide what you’re going to see first and head off.

Whatsername had just stopped to get herself a drink when she saw Archy walking towards her. She was at the zoo alone for the day and needed company. She walked up to him and smiled. 

Archy! Did you just get here? I have seen much myself so far. Want to hang out together and see the sights? It's much more fun to have someone to talk to. It's warm out today too, maybe you should grab a water and we can wander around together.

Whatsername took a sip of her drink and waiting to see if Archy  would be her zoo pal for the day.

Smiles at her friend Archy saying he'd hang out with her today.

I just walked by an ice cream booth, which way was it now? Oh yes, right back there towards the gorillas. We can check them out afterwards.

Whatsername walks over to the booth with Archy. She can't wait to go see all the animals. She loves animals so much, one day she hopes to go see them all in the wild.

I visited once before, before the renovations and the aqaurium addition. I won't know where to go over on that side, but just past here is the African part with the big cats and gorillas. Maybe even a camel.

Whatsername chuckles and looks at the sign of the shop in front of her.

I'd love a vanilla cone with sprinkles Archy. Thanks so much that would be great!

Whatsername takes a lick of her ice cream, enjoying the coldness on this warm Autumn day. She looks at Archy wondering what he's up to, she's seen that look on his face before and has a feeling this day is going to get a lot more exciting very quickly.

This is very good ice cream, I'm quite surprised really. Thank you so much for treating me to this. I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think camels just like you Archy. They must be smarter than we give them credit for. 

Off to the gorillas it is. They are so big! But so cute at the same time.

Giggles at Archy and his poor camels. She guessed it must be sort of like beavers for her. Although she loved beavers she got sick of the jokes about them and their weird relationship to female anatomy.

She turned a corner and there they were. The gorillas were all outside today, sunning their bellies in the warm weather. One was pushing a ball around the enclosure. She always liked watching the gorillas but was sure they were watching all the people too.

Here we are, aren't they beautiful? I think them and the big cats are the two most beautiful animals here. Lots are cute, some are so ugly they are cute but these ones are just plain beautiful.

Whatsername looks seriously at Archy and wonders again what he's up to today.

Running around loose? How would that happen? These cages are strong. I'd love to see them at home in Africa but from the safety of a car. You're kind of worrying me today!

She takes another lick of her ice cream and admires the gorillas some more. Another has gotten up and started playing with the ball too. It's almost like they are playing soccer with each other.

Archy what have you done! They could hurt themselves out here. I sure can't catch them. I hope someone can.

Whatsername watches as the big gorilla that Archy has been teasing gets up and walks through the open gate. He walks up to her and her companion and takes the last of her ice cream out of her hand. The gorilla takes one lick and then pushes the ice cream into Archy's face. He then runs over to a garbage can, while other visitors run away screaming, and pushes the can over spilling the garbage onto the walkway. 

The two who had been playing soccer see this and see the open field outside the gate, they pick up their ball and take it to the big open spot and resume playing.

Whatsername helps Archy get the last of her ice cream off his face laughing at him and the gorilla.

You better not shoot any animals mister! I will be so upset.

She grabs Archy's arm and starts off towards the lions. Another beautiful animal, she was excited to go see them. She had missed the lions the last time she came to visit so this was a long time coming.

You going to be good now or cause more havoc?

Feed them? Wouldn't they bite me or try to eat me? I think that sounds pretty dangerous! Maybe we should just watch them from back here. I don't want to lose a hand or leg today.

Whatsername takes a sip of the drink she had got earlier and nervously looked at Archy. She was a little worried about him today, he seemed to like destruction and madness. She was not sure what had got into him.

Have you ever fed a lion?