Let The Caged Animals Roam Free...

...and that is what we did.  On a spring-like February morning we packed some snacks, strapped the kids in the car and made the short drive to Lodi.  Many people seemed surprise to hear that there is a zoo in Lodi, frankly so was I initially. Micke Grove park and zoo has been a preference of ours over Sacramento Zoo for a while now.  Micke Grove is generally less crowded, parking is a lot better, it's cheaper and there is a huge picnic area.  Because of the size and layout of the zoo we allow Simon to leave the stroller behind and tag along Dominick's side.  It doesn't take long to make the zoo loop and we appreciate that, more time to spend out in the grass running around.  Dominick and Simon enjoy looking at all the animals. Dominick always reads the information displays and is sure to share all important animal facts with Nick and I. It's usually a short family outing, when we travel to Micke Grove but it is a nice break and the boys like it, which is all that matters.  Sometimes though, the thought of luring my boys into one of the enclosures, just for a while, does cross my mind.