AND NOW…

FROM THE JOURNAL OF KATIE STEIDER

Thursday August 1, 2002

How the days fly by. It seems like only yesterday I arrived here. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I can’t believe that tomorrow I swim the 50 Backstroke and the 200 Freestyle Relay with Jessica Zimmer, Liz Barba, and Sarah Fait. I hope I won’t let them down even though I know we’ll do well.

The Zoo was great! We couldn’t see all of it though. It was too hot to walk too far. But we did see the baby elephant, although there were two more babies, a baby tiger and gorilla, that we did not see. The giraffes were really gorgeous and one was very young. I thought the rhino and the hippos were sooo cute. There were too many exhibits to explain but I will tell you about the Giant Panda exhibit and the Invertebrate exhibit. I saw one Giant Panda, either Mei Xieng (may Sh-ong) or Tien Tien (t-Yen t-Yen) who both arrived December 6, 2000, but I couldn’t find the other, even though I was sure I saw them both somewhere on the security monitors. They were the cutest of all! I even got a stuffed Panda bear at the Panda Shop. I liked the Invertebrate exhibit 1. Because you could draw animals and see if your picture would be put on a keeper’s choice pictures bulletin board and 2. They just got a giant octopus yesterday at 11 am. The new octopus was fun to watch.

I suppose I have enough time to tell you of the unique Bird House. Many birds reside in the Bird House, like the Bird of Paradise, the Toucan, and the Kiwi, which is nocturnal so you try to see them in a darker room. Although some birds are in cages, many can be found in occasional areas where you can stand and interact with the birds no strings attached. This is definitely a must see, but be sure to leave time to be able to look for all of the unique species. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the National Zoo. It’s great for kids of all ages.

Well sorry to leave you but I better make sure I’m ready to leave by the time my family comes to take me to an animal reserve today! And as a good journalist would, I’ll give you the inside scoop tomorrow. Bye!

Ps The Panda Store has great stuff!

TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR THE LAST ISSUE OF…

FROM THE JOURNAL OF KATIE STEIDER