The Cincinnati Zoo is phenomenal! We got to see so many different animals and exhibits, including a baby gorilla that was born on August 4. We even got to hear a lion roar!
Phoebe's favorite part of the zoo was the tiger. When we walked up to the glass and saw this gorgeous cat laying right there in front of us Phoebe became immediately mesmerized. She just stood there, staring. She didn't want to leave that spot. She felt this connection to this cat on the other side of the glass. It was like because of this encounter she knew that her song was more than just a theme song and that the tiger was more than just a symbol. They were her. It was one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed.
After we had gone through the whole zoo, we got back into our car to drive across the Ohio River into Kentucky (where our hotel is) to go to the Newport Aquarium.
The aquarium was just as amazing as the zoo! Phoebe didn't know where to look first! Every where we turned there was another tank with fish from all over the world! Phoebe especially liked all the tunnel tanks that we got to go through while fish swam above us! She also got a kick out of the sections of floor that were glass so we could see fish swimming underneath us!
Phoebe's favorite part of the aquarium was our penguin encounter that I bought special tickets for. We were part of a small group of people that were brought back into the penguin house where we got to sit in a room with 10 penguins and learn all about them. During this encounter we were even able to pet the penguins and get our pictures taken with them! Phoebe kept thanking me for bringing her and telling me how much fun she was having.
There is so much that Phoebe wants to do but has been unable to do, that it meant so much to me to be able to do special things like the penguin encounter with her. She had a lot of fun sightseeing today, but those 20 minutes with the penguins definitely helped her forget about all the things she can't do and helped her feel like everyone else.
Photos: 1- Standing in Kentucky looking across the Ohio River at Cincinnati
2- Phoebe mesmerized by the tiger
3- Phoebe and the tiger
4- Phoebe checking out one of the tanks in the aquarium
5- Phoebe petting a penguin during the penguin encounter