The Monkeys OVER the Zoo

ELMWOOD PARK ZOO AND TREETOP ADVENTURE

This week's adventure was much anticipated and slated to be one of our biggest adventures and it did not disappoint!  While scouring Groupon and LivingSocial for some fun ideas, I stumbled upon a LivingSocial for Treetop Adventures; it promised  45 games and 9 zip lines over and around the zoo. I quickly got in touch with Kim who agreed that we NEEDED to do this- even though we had no idea what types of games they were.

 PLANNING

This adventure took a bit more planning than most of our others.  After buying the LivingSocial deal, We needed to wait for the summer storm season to settle down just a bit, call and make a reservation (one phone call), and fill out online waivers (easy).  All that before Tuesday!!!

On Tuesday, we packed lunches (an attempt to save a few bucks), wore sneakers (mandatory), long hair was put in ponytails (mandatory), long shorts or capris were chosen (if you have never climbed- trust me- you will thank me (Even I went in my stretchy pants)), cars were gassed and GPSs programmed.

THE DRIVE

The Elmwood Park Zoo is about an hour and 40 minutes from Harrisburg.  It is a fairly straight shot East on the PA Turnpike.  Once off the Turnpike the zoo is about 10 minutes away. We drove past the King Of Prussia Mall, where there was some minor traffic, but signs were well marked.  We also passed The Container Store (wonder if they had something to contain my excitement???) and a MASSIVE Target with underground parking (this is important later).  After making a left off 202, we were in a neighborhood that did not seem likely to have zoo nearby.  However, after about 2 miles, sure enough, there was a guard rail with cheetah and giraffe prints and we knew we were near the zoo entrance.

THE ARRIVAL

Parking was free and once in the lot, I made my children eat the sandwiches from their lunch.  Our reservation was for 11 and the website said the adventure should take 2-3 hours.  The kids would have "starved to death" if they HAD to wait until 2 pm for lunch.

We approached the ticket counter with some trepidation.  Although I have used many Groupons, coupons and LivingSocial deals, I never really expect them to work as planned (they always have, but I keep waiting for someone to tell me the deal was too good).  I opened my app and handed over my phone to the young lady behind the counter, she made a call down to Treetop Adventures to let them know we were here, and after a few more clicks on her computer we were on our way through the zoo to our adventure.

THE ADVENTURE

It was really hard for the kids not to stop and look at the animals as were making our way to the Treetop Adventure area located near the back of the zoo but we managed to pull them away and get there on time.  

Once there, we gave our names, they pulled up our waivers, and had us stepping into harnesses within a few minutes.  Some nice young man (YOUNG), trained us on how to properly hook in (as to avoid falling out of the trees), how to move safely from one wire to another, and how to use our zip line trolleys and our brakes (brakes = our hands in a leather glove).  We each took a practice zip, perfected our technique, and were then sent into the trees to begin our adventure.

Up, up and away

Turns out that by games, they meant 45 different ways for one to get from tree to tree using wires, logs, and ropes. Once we stepped upon the first rung of the ladder, we would not set foot on the ground again until we were done (good thing we made a last minute potty stop!).  The girls went first and were quickly scrambling through the trees, the boys followed, and then Kim and I.  

After the second tree, one has to choose TAME or WILD as the paths to take to get to the first zip line.  A and R went wild, M and T went tame (lame) just to get in front of the girls, Kim and I went wild since we figured we were only doing this once.  What we did not know is that the young, scardy-cat couple who was behind us went tame and got between us and the kids and at no point thought to let us climb through.  So.... after about 15 minutes, we only caught sight of the kids every few trees.  At first this was nerve wracking (we had sent them careening through trees without us) and then it was relaxing (no one could complain to us- not that they were, but we would never know).

After traversing several "games" we made it to our first zip line over the buffalo.  There were were met by another worker who made sure we properly clipped in and set us on our way.  On the far side, there was another worker who made sure we made it safely across.  This was the only zip that had this, the rest of them we were on our own (as were the 11 yr olds, the 13 yr old, and the 15 yr old). 

Throwing one's self off the ledge at the first zip took a bit of courage but that became easier with each consecutive zip.  The first zip took us over the buffalo and out of the zoo.  Most of the rest of the adventure would be out of the zoo about 50 feet above Stony Creek.  It was beautiful, clean and fairly quiet. 

Surfboard zip (of doom)

The "games" were very cool and very varied.  Kim and I tended to like different ones and have difficulties with different ones.  I thought the surfboard zip line was going to be my favorite, turns out I was not ready for the ending and careened into the tree, lost my balance, fell and cracked my shin with a decent amount of force.  Luckily for me this was near the end. Kim did not like the cargo net which was also near the end and by then we were a bit fatigued. We hit the last 250 yard zip back into the zoo and were met by the kids (who were "dying of thirst"). We returned our harnesses with a great sense of pride and headed back to the  cars for the rest of lunch and drinks.  Overall, I think the adventure took us a little over an hour and a half.

Feeling refreshed, we headed back into the zoo.  The zoo itself is not large, but has some really nice exhibits and some cool animals.  We were all drawn to the Red Pandas.  The cuteness is insane!  Workers posted at the exhibit let the kids touch a Red Panda skull and answered all of our crazy questions (although, they did little to discourage Kim and I from wanting to own a few).  We got to feed the Lorakeets for free at the Birds of Paradise exhibit.  We also watched a trainer work with a panther training it to give itself a shot.

The zoo was well kept and clean, but has one odd feature: TURKEY VULTURES.  As we went around the zoo there were several dozen of these HUGE birds in different exhibits.  We, finally, asked a worker near the River Otter about them.  Apparently, they are NOT zoo animals, but natives to the area that have come for some free food. We had no issues with them until a few flew incredibly close to our heads! The worker said they did not bother the animals, but the swimming River Otter changed directions when he encountered one and the sleeping River Otter was awakened when a game of Vulture Tag landed on its back.  

THE ADVENTURE (part 2- tornadoes and shopping )

As we left the zoo, the National Weather Service warned us of tornadoes so we decided to take shelter in the HUGE Target (ok maybe the moms just really, really wanted to go there-cue whining boys).  We parked under the store and took the elevator up where the boys noted the down escalator for just carts!  Then they were excited to fill a shopping cart.  We plied them with Icees, grabbed a cart, and were off.  This Target was not significantly different than the regular ones we have been to.  It was larger, brighter, had some cool displays and lighting, but that was the main difference.  After shopping, we peered out the massive windows, noted a dangerous looking cloud cluster and hung out for a bit.  Turns out a tornado did touch down within about 20 miles of where we were.  Once we deemed it safe, we checked out, used the cool cart-scalator and headed to The Container Store to buy some containers!

TIPS/TRICKS

The most obvious should be: Get The LivingSocial Deal!!!  The zoo price for zoo and zip (Zoofari) was $38 for kids up to age 16 and $49 for adults.  The DEAL was $29.  If you have younger kids, there is a Cubclimb that is less and there was a deal for that as well.  Additionally, if you are at the zoo you can add the Adventure but you'd be paying the full price. 

Call ahead for reservations.  Have the waivers filled out ahead of time.  Be punctual (although, I am not sure it would have mattered if we were late).  Read the rules and requirements online (http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/treetop-courses.php) and follow them.

Pack food.  It actually looked like you could picnic in the zoo with own food (but I am not 100% certain).

Pack lightly for the Adventure.  They will hold stuff for you!  Kim and I declined, but wish we would not have.  I had my large camera and a Camel Pak with odds and ends.  Neither made climbing easier, but I did feel like my stuff was secure; I would not have with things in my pockets. 

If you are not 11, 13 or 15, you may be sore the next day (and, perhaps, the one after that).  My shin bears a small scrape from my surf zip debacle, so in juries can occur.

Be prepared for your kids to think you are the coolest ever for letting them do this! Be prepared to think you are the coolest for doing this!!!


 BONUS PICTURES

One of 2 play areas

No chickens in this group 

My buddy

Ever see a bird sit???

A Forest in the City??

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area  

Even though I have lived in this area since 1996, I had NO idea that there is a 1,200+ acre forest/ tree preserve right around the corner.  There is sits, less than 5 miles out of the city parts of Harrisburg. So this is where we decided to head for 2015's first Adventure Tuesday! (Can you hear the trumpeting music??)

PLANNING



Not a lot of planning is needed for this adventure: some bug spray (it was not buggy, but can't be too careful),  sun block- but turns out that it was really not needed as the hike is 95% shaded, water, perhaps some snacks and a trash bag- as it is carry in/carry out.  The most important thing to bring is a map (assuming you can read one).  Maps can be printed out here:   http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/boydbigtreepreserve/

THE DRIVE

Seriously close by!  Boyd is 2.5 miles past Fort Hunter.  It took about 12 minutes door-to-door going through the city.

ARRIVAL

T, R, A, M

As soon as we turned off the main road it felt as though we were transported into a different place.  Green meadows flank the road as it changes from macadam to gravel.  The parking area is a nice size and already had a few cars in it.  There is also a nice, clean, covered amphitheater, and real (although slightly fly infested) rest rooms right at the start of the trail head.




THE ADVENTURE
 

Originally, we had opted for the  Upper Spring Trail: 2 miles, beige blazes, more difficult hiking

This trail provides the hiker with a nice cross-sectional view of the conservation area. This is an excellent trail to see some of the largest trees in the area. These large second growth oaks, hickories and beeches could be old growth stands in the future.  

HOWEVER... upon looking up the area on a geocaching website, we (mostly me) thought it would be cool to try to find them and they were supposed to be along the Janie Trail: 2.8 miles, red blazes, most difficult hiking. This is the longest and most challenging trail in the conservation area. It follows the ridge top and comes down the mountain on a steep slope. A red-blazed spur leads to a parking lot on the Blue Mountain Parkway.

The trails are well marked and the blazes are easy to see.  We followed red into the woods and were on our way.  The tall trees create a lovely canopy that creates a perfect shade allowing lots of light, but keeps you cool.  The trail itself can go from 4 people wide to single file.

At Baloney Park

Just as I commented to Kim that the trail was not at all difficult (about 1.5 miles in), we rounded the corner and see a decent up hill followed by a semi-steep rocky switch back that took us up the ridge of the mountain.  Built in rock steps and trees aided us nicely and this was not as difficult as it originally looked.

Awesome view

Once upon the ridge, our path took us through a lovely meadow complete with butterflies and wild flowers.  Back into the woods on the far side of the meadow, we entered Baloney Park (Boyd and Maloney)- private property with permission to hike, we kept on, looking for the geocaches.  Eventually, I pulled out my phone and tried to use the compass latitude/ longitude to guide us to them.  We seemed so close (only a few degrees away), so close...closer...closer.... nothing.  We could not find them.

Not only could we not find them, but upon reaching where they "should" be, we were at 4.5 miles and still had to loop back to the cars.  We doubled back and continued our trek on the back end of the Janie Trail. It was going back that the map really came in handy.  There were a few junctions that we were glad to be able to reference the map to find our way out.  We also saw a few others on the trails doing the exact same thing.  8.5 miles later, we were back at the amphitheater ready for lunch.

Still no Geocache

TIPS/ TRICKS

Good hiking shoes!!!  Be prepared to hike longer than the trail says.  We are still uncertain how 2.8 miles turned into 8.5 miles.  Clearly there was some human interference there.  Don't count on finding the geocaches.


(SORRY ABOUT PICTURE QUALITY-  THEY ARE ALL CELLPHONE PICS AS MY CAMERA WAS OUT OF COMMISSION)