A Hidden Gem...

Isn't it weird when you discover some random cool place in your city or surrounding area? I was reminded of this farm by another mommy blogger in her blog. When I read about her trip there I remembered that I had heard of this place a couple of years ago but had completely forgotten about it. It is the Brantford Twin Valley Zoo. A much smaller zoo than the Toronto zoo, but an easier place to walk around with a 3 year old who won't ride in a stroller, and much less busy, and much much cheaper. It was $35 ish dollars for all 3 of us paying guests, and that included a free pony ride for Paige. There was barely anyone there and it was a nice warm sunny day that wasn't disgustingly hot. We even watched the animal show in the company of only about 15 other families. Every single kid got to touch the animals they brought out because it was such a small crowd (except Paige didn't seem to want to touch them and I didn't push her). The fact that there weren't any food stands, which forced us into bringing a cheap and healthy packed lunch from home was a nice treat. Like I said last weekend, Paige won't eat fast food. The zoo is about 45 minutes west of our house down the 403.

Right as you walk in you can purchase peanuts to feed the bears and monkeys, and grain to feed the goats and deers. This goat area was as soon as you walk in. The goats were a bit aggresive and would jump on anyone with a bag. Paige was treating them like Abby and saying "Down!"

Here she is telling Daddy that she wanted to get out. It was a bit intense. After the 1 gate they are going out, there was another gate, and 2 goats had gotten in the enclosure. It was bit better for Paige to feed the 2 goats in there than the huge group of swarming ones.

Tiny baby baboon....

Paige's favourite part...riding the pony (horse I would think, it was huge). She kept slipping and I would have to straighten her out.

Big smiles-- she's definitely into pony rides now.

Rose had a little nap after lunch (ours and hers--the "nursing area" was sitting on a closed toilet seat in the family washroom). She does much much better in the stroller by itself rather than in the car seat strapped in the stroller.

Bears make me a bit scared, but their fence seemed high enough. There were a bunch of trees on the one side of their enclosure though, and I dunno, I thought they could climb trees...

We got to chuck peanuts in there which seemed kind of mean, but they ate them. And I guess the zoo isn't crowded enough for them to eat too many.

Apparently the zoo is 25 acres, including a 1km nature trail (clearly we didn't attempt that). It was a really fun day. If anyone is interested in going, remember to bring food, water (although they sell drinks at the front), and leave time to see the creatures showcase, and go for an over-sized pony ride. The rides are only at certain times.