Well, I planned on figuring out a bunch of cool stats from our Zoo Year to share with y’all tonight.

BUT.

It’s almost 2:00 a.m., and I have a big day ahead of me. I know, what could possibly be bigger than 11 zoos,1 Sea World, 14 states and 6376 miles in 15 days?

Oh, it’s not that big. Just some laundry and a family reunion and a double bridal shower (I’m giving the devotional) and some food shopping and buying shower gifts and trying to stave off the inevitable Zoo Trip After-Crash until at least Sunday afternoon.

Here’s what I’ve got:

# of zoos we’ve been to in the past 51 weeks (not counting the Columbus Zoo we go to all the time): 51

# of hotels we’ve stayed in: 7

# of families we’ve stayed with: 31

# of nights we stayed with those families: 44

# of families we had never met until we showed up on their doorstep: 17

# of families we’d met online, then in person, then stayed at their house: 2

# of families we had met briefly but barely knew: 4

# of families related to us by blood: 4

# of families who were already good friends of ours: 4

# of people who joined at one or more zoos: I have no idea.

# of zoo tickets we paid for: 6

# we got for free: 264

I have a favor to ask. If we stayed in your home or you joined us at a zoo, could you share one of your favorite memories from our experience? I’d love to include some of your thoughts in the book!

Oh, it’s good to be HOME.

We’re at a hotel in St. Louis right now, gearing up for Zoo #51 (FIFTY-ONE!!) in the morning. I wrote the following post a couple weeks ago about Zoo #40. Wow, do I have my work cut out for me!

Sorry I’ve been out of the blog loop for a bit. Zooing and meeting new folks and driving over 5,000 miles in 15 days leaves little time for blogging. Today’s the last day to follow our LIVE Zoo Updates from Facebook and Twitter. I’ve had a blast keeping up with so many of you during our trip!

And for a sneak peek of what we’ve been up to, here’s a post about one of our recent stops. I’ll be back soon!

We really enjoyed our visit to the Brookfield Zoo–even if it was the hottest, humidest day ever. Our Zoo Friend Jon is from Chicago and loves BZ. It’s not hard to see why.

Cool sign, eh? You can’t really tell, but that’s a hugundo dinosaur that moves its head and spits water.

We actually had a couple cool signs to choose from, which delighted me. And do you know what I just realized? I’m obsessed with Zoo Signs. Technically, I’m obsessed with words. I love them almost as much as giraffes. And when the word is spelled Z-O-O? Even better?

Okay, how stinkin’ cute is that baby gibbon?? Tropic World was our first stop at the zoo and one of our favorite parts of the day. You walk along a path at treetop level, like you’re at the top of the jungle canopy. We saw all kinds of monkeys and apes—including several babies and two squabbling young gorillas.

Brookfield has tons o’ bears. I’m pretty sure they have each species covered. Well, I didn’t see a grolar bear. I didn’t even know there was such a thing until my dad told me about it a couple days ago.

A rare picture of Gabe (taken by me, not a tripod). His camera strap is typically glued to his neck.

The typically-elusive (or sleeping) snow leopard–awake, alert, and posing for pictures.

Amazing.

If I had a dollar for every time Gabe said “Mmmm…BOOtee” that day, I could have flown all of you to California. Dude, it’s an African tribe, not street slang.

Mama Peahen and her sweet little peachicks.

We were a teensy bit bummed that the Dolphin Show was cancelled–but we’ll be at Sea World soon (maybe even while you’re reading this post!), so we’ll get over it.

Oooh–last cool thing. We met up with the Zoo Librarian. I know. COOLEST JOB EVER. She told us to come into the gift shop and push through a “secret door” in the back, and we’d be in the library. A secret door! I know! It just looked like a wall of t-shirts on display, but no! It was a door! Very Chronicles of Narnia.

Great day at the Brookfield Zoo! But we weren’t done! We hopped into the van, all sweaty and nasty and headed into the city for MORE ZOO!

Whassup?!? Here’s what’s up with us for the next 2ish weeks. And you know what? You know what?? I know I’ll be sad when this 52 Thing is over. And I know I’ll go through withdrawal. And I know I’ll try my hardest to figure out a way to keep the craziness alive.

BUT I sure am looking forward to making life NOT ABOUT US for awhile. Enough of us already. I’m so anxious to focus on some other people.

Anyway.

Here’s where we’ll be/what we’ll be doing for the next 15 days. (sorry there aren’t any links–it’s 1:15 a.m. and I’m pooped!)

Last Big Zoo Tour

Friday, 7/10—drive to Omaha (stay with Ann–college friend of Miss Amy, the t-shirt winner)

Saturday, 7/11—Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, drive to Denver, stay with Jill (friend of Joanne’s, reads my blog) Hi, Jill!

Sunday, 7/12—Denver Zoo, stay with Holly (friend of Joanne’s)

Monday, 7/13—Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (GIRAFFES!!!), drive to Salt Lake City, stay with Ken (online friend of Gabe’s)

Tuesday, 7/14—Utah’s Hogle Zoo, drive to Grand Canyon (note to self: find hotel near Grand Canyon)

Wednesday, 7/15—look at Grand Canyon, drive to San Diego, stay with Monica (friend of Kori’s–the Sunny Day Tags Girl)

Thursday, 7/16—San Diego Zoo, Monica

Friday, 7/17—Sea World, Monica (our general rule is one night per house–bless you, sweet Monica!!)

Saturday, 7/18—San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, last night with Monica (have I mentioned Monica has never met us?)

Sunday, 7/19—Los Angeles Zoo, drive to Phoenix, stay with Joanne (whom I have never met but love dearly!!)

Monday, 7/20—Phoenix Zoo, one more night with Joanne

Tuesday, 7/21—drive to Wichita, stay with Mary

Wednesday, 7/22—Sedgwick County Zoo, not sure who we’re staying with in KC–have a couple leads

Thursday, 7/23—Kansas City Zoo, not sure about this night either–might get a hotel room if we have $ left over from trip (the girls love hotels!)

Friday, 7/24—St. Louis Zoo, drive home

Saturday, 7/25–Yoder Family Reunion

And exactly one week later, there’s a PARTY!! Counting on God to work out those details, because, well… because.

Have I mentioned that we have never met any of these people we’re staying with? Isn’t this fun??

Thank you, friends, for all the sweet support you’ve given us these past 11 months. I could burst into tears just thinking about it. Love you millions!

My apologies to the Maryland Zoo! In my haste to post all those giraffe pics, I totally skipped from the National Zoo to Binder Park. Forgive me, MZ!

Like the sign, love the zoo. Of course it had nothing to do with the fact that they had a giraffe feeding encounter…

Okay, so this dude cracks me up. Look at all the detail in that little head. Look at those eyes and eyelashes. Ostriches are like little wanna-be giraffe birds.

Love, love, love elephant babies. I can’t remember this little guy’s name, but he put on a fun little show. He appeared to have a mild case of ADHD. Or maybe he’s just a normal 15-month-old. Elephant.

Whaddya mean I’m too big for my tire swing already??

Best. Part. Of. The. Day.

In our experience, cheetahs are the most active of all the cats. Maybe that’s why they’re so skinny.

These are two chimpanzees wrestling. We spent a very long time observing the 10 or so chimps in this fun exhibit. Several of the pictures Gabe took are X-rated. Not sure if these guys (and gals) are like that all the time or if we just happened upon them during Frisky Hour. The girls and I couldn’t stop giggling. Mature, I know.

We talked the girls out of the $5 camel rides and talked them into the $2 banana ride instead. When it comes to spending money, our Loose Zoo Rules are as follows:

1.) If it involves giraffes, we do it. No matter the cost. (And the MZ gave us free giraffe feeding tix!)

2.) If we get free ride tickets, we use them. If we don’t, we don’t ride. Unless it’s a camel. Except we’ve done that twice now, so sometimes we substitute banana rides to save $.

3.) If a ride is only $1 and very fun-looking, we’ll fork over three bucks. Except not always.

4.) We bring our own lunch or head to McDonald’s after the zoo. Zoo food can be expensive.

5.) Nothing from the gift shop unless you use your own money. Except when you’ve done 38 zoos, and your mom feels sorry for you because your big sisters have money and you don’t so she buys you a stuffed gorilla for $7.99 and herself a giraffe head bank for $4.99.

Our rule system is very structured and easy to follow.

And there you have it–the Maryland Zoo. We liked it. Seven hours later, we were back in Ohio, dreaming of our next Zoo Trip!

Before I get to the giraffes (!!), I’d like to address something that a couple of you astute readers brought up in yesterday’s comments. I made the statement that I’ve been called to “show Christ’s love not to defend Christ’s love.” Kelsie pointed out 1 Peter 3:15–”But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

And Emily noted that there’s a fine line between defending the gospel and arguing it. Well said. That’s the word I should have used–argue. I hope and pray that I will always stand up for what I believe, that I will never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, that I will know God’s Word like the back of my hand and always be ready to give an answer for the hope bubbling up inside of me.

What I don’t want to do is argue it into the ground–especially with someone created in the image of God, someone I care deeply about (i.e., everyone). My gameplan: lovingly share the reason for my hope. Share it again if I feel led. Then close my mouth, pray hard, and let the Holy Spirit work.

One more thing. And then giraffes!! Please allow me to direct your attention to a guest post I wrote for a delightful little blog entitled Adding Zest to Your Nest. And yes, it’s all about just what you might surmise it’s all about. In fact, I hesitate to even send you over there, because you might just decide to camp out and never come back. Heaven forbid you miss out on my giraffes!

I’m so conflicted.

I also don’t really want to tell you that the topic of my post over at the Zesty Nesty is a word I can’t even type on my own blog. Too provocative. Perfectly appropriate topic within the bounds of marital union, but anyway…

Click here to find out what all the fuss is about. (and if my post isn’t there yet, check back soon–they’re in a different time zone than I am) And honestly? I wrote my post a couple weeks ago and barely remember what I said, but the post before mine–about the CheeriOs? Oh bOy and Oh my! WhOa baby!

And now for the Binder Park Zoo. I hate to be negative about zoos, so I won’t say anything about the parts that didn’t impress us. Besides, the giraffes more than made up for anything the zoo might have been lacking anywhere else.

Another fun sign. Another fun mini-tripod shot. Like our shirts? Nick from ZooShirts.com sent us complimentary t-shirts to wear on our Zoo Adventures. We love them! And got all kinds of compliments on them at the zoo. I’ll be blogging about them in greater detail soon. In the meantime, check them out. You know you want one.

The giraffes (and zebras and ostriches) have lots and lots of room to roam. Sometimes exhibits like this mean you never get to see the animals close up. Not so at Binder Park.

Coming closer…

Oh, my!

Miss Panda feeds Mr. Giraffe a cracker. I’ll have to get a pic of these Zoo Shirts from the back. They each have a sweet animal on them.

Nina’s not so sure about that tongue! (Nina’s shirt fits her like a dress, so she took it off after our Zoo Entrance pic.)

A little bonding time for Mr. Rhino and Ms. Giraffe.

Ms. Giraffe and Mrs. Giraffe. Kindred spirits from the get-go.

Love this pic of Miss Gorilla and Mr. G.

The face of contentment. Sigh. Just a couple more weeks until we’re at the Giraffe Mecca in Colorado Springs! And just found out the Phoenix Zoo has a new Giraffe Encounter too! Woot!

FYI–my friend Kaye of Super-Beautiful Engraved Tile Fame is giving away more awesome stuff on her blog! Go win!

I’m off to spend the morning doing something I vowed I would never do again as long as we both shall live–have a garage sale. Here’s to raising Coins for California!

Have a great Thursday, friends!