By Mara Dobyns
“Why haven’t we done this before?” Was the question of the trip. My friend and fellow mom, Melinda Duerksen, and I took her youngest son, Weston and my daughter, Vivian, to Sacramento for a two day trip. We stayed with my mom as she lives in the area and we visited the Sacramento Zoo and Wake Island in Pleasant Grove. Two moms, two kids, on the road in celebration of Summer. We’ve known each since they were babies, we’ve alternated trading babysitting while the other worked off and on forever, we’ve camped, hiked, biked, done family game nights and gatherings, but a trip? How hadn’t we done this before? Eleven years and counting and you’d think it would have happened before now.
The Sacramento Zoo – It’s Wildly Inspiring!
First of all, they have a map of the zoo with cartoons of the animals themselves. How cute is that?! For littles that can’t read yet and even just for the sake of finding exactly what you’re looking for in a quick manner, I thought it was brilliant. The map also featured a scanning code, allowing you to pull it up on your phone versus carrying around a printed version and ultimately helping save the forests. Huge win.
Giraffe Encounters
Did you know that the Sacramento Zoo offers $5 giraffe encounters?! This was the big draw for me. After all, who wouldn’t want to feed a giraffe given the opportunity? You stand in line and one by one get to offer these tall guys treats. Unfortunately for us, we chose a day and time that was too hot for our tall buddies. While we could still see them in their air conditioned room, they chose to tease us by walking halfway to our line and turning around and going back inside. Can’t say I blame them though. It was 100 degrees in the afternoon heat and I would have opted for the air-conditioning too.
They offer two opportunities per day for the giraffe feedings (you don’t have to pay until the giraffe approaches). First at 10:00am and again at 2:00pm. It’s something that I can only imagine is an unforgettable experience.
We decided to move on instead of waiting the full hour to see if the tasty treats would entice them. As we were walking away I spotted our next venture. “Timon!” I shouted and raced with excitement to the meerkat exhibit. Unlike the giraffes, they were being rather active. Running back and forth and standing on their hind legs as if posing for our photos. Eventually they settled, yawned, and cuddled into a pile in the shade but they were by far one of my favorites to watch.
Another highlight for us was the okapi. While they look like they may be half zebra they are actually the last living relative of the giraffe. If you visit the okapi be sure to read the observation notes posted above their exhibit if you’re interested in learning more about the similarities and differences they share with giraffes. Another fun fact, their stripes are sometimes called “follow me” stripes as the bold patterns make it easier for a calf to follow its mother through the dark rain forest. You can help
make a difference for this endangered species by recycling your old cell phones so that less mining is needed in their natural habitat.
Viv and Wes LOVED the cheetahs. Other highlights included Samson the lion who we watched enjoy an afternoon snack, a red panda, the North American River Otter, the indoor section of the reptiles and of course the gift shop. We couldn’t find the two-toed sloth, Mae Lynn, in her exhibit otherwise I’m sure she would have made the top of the list for us all.
The Sacramento Zoo is just south of downtown Sacramento on the corner of Sutterville Road and Land Park Drive, right off the I-5 freeway, inside of William Land Park. They are open daily from 9:00am-4:00pm. Prices range from $17-$24 and members receive free admission. They do offer other special animal encounters, enrichment sessions, an outdoor train ride around the zoo and much more. For details, tickets and more information or to donate, please visit their website: www.saczoo.org
Wake Island – Where Summer Dreams Come To Life
Okay so, have you ever watched the show American Ninja Warrior? Have you sat relaxed on your couch, with your snacks, laughed as contestants fell over or from obstacles into water and said to yourself “I could do that.” Now is your chance and let me tell you, it’s not nearly as easy as they make it look.
Wake Island in Pleasant Grove is where Summer dreams come to life. At least, it’s where mine did.
Why? Simple. Because Wake Island is an 80 acre water park that features the nation’s largest floating obstacle course! For $44 per person we received a 45-minute session (it felt like three hours by the time we were done) in the aqua park, plus unlimited access to the smaller version of the course known as the ninja race course, zip lining over the water, hamster wheels and their beautiful beaches. You can also enjoy the thrill of boatless wakeboarding on their state-of-the-art cable system in a separate lake just adjacent to the aqua park. Wakeboard passes are sold separately and there’s opportunities to rent a cabana, a floating cabana (right on the water!) and even stand-up paddle boards.
We arrived a little early so we spent some time wading in the water and setting up on the beach (you’re allowed to bring your own chairs and blankets/towels). We ended up lining up for our session at the aqua
park a few minutes early and when it was finally our turn, we were so excited and so ready. They have designated areas around the course designed with a step in the water and an arm on each side so you can pull yourself up anytime you fall off. These will be your best friend for the next hour. We all raced to them and eagerly climbed aboard our floating course. Not only are they floating but they move every time anyone on the course is moving so there’s a lot of extra balancing going on here.
Let me just say that a 45-minute session on an obstacle course may not sound like a lot but trust me, it’s more than enough time. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much in my life. Between slipping, falling, attempting each obstacle, repeatedly climbing back up, and just throwing my body around in general, I don’t know how I survived it. At one point I fell face first into the water and came back up missing an earring. I can swim but at this point I was so thankful life jackets were a requirement for everyone, of course there are also lifeguards everywhere. I felt like a kid again and loved being surrounded by others that were young at heart. It’s fun because everyone is falling and laughing right alongside you and just enjoying the moment.
We had the time of our lives and by the time our session was over we were all exhausted. Was that going to stop us from continuing the adventure? Absolutely not but first, lunch. After enjoying our burgers, pizza and salad because they truly offered something for everyone, we found ourselves exploring the rest of the Island. It’s wild because when you drive to Wake Island it literally looks like you’re driving down a road to go purchase fresh fruit from a farmstead and then surprise! You’re at one of the coolest water parks you’ve ever seen. It is said that people from all over the world come to enjoy it but people just down the street don’t even know it exists. Now I see why.
For the rest of our time at Wake Island, Melinda and I enjoyed launching our kids at the ninja race course, climbing over even more obstacles, sliding down, jumping off and splashing into the water repeatedly. Being from Westwood where the weather is typically much milder, the only way we really stayed cool here was by being in the water. We all enjoyed the zip line despite mine and Melina’s fear of heights and I think we’d both definitely do it again. We had the perfect summer day and topped it off with frozen yogurt at Big Kahuna’s.
It really was the ultimate family adventure and although not all of our family could be there, we are looking forward to going again and bringing them along. My only advice to other mom friends is, take the trip. Do the thing. Don’t be afraid to venture off with your friends, even if you wish everyone else could make it. Sometimes it’s okay to just go. You can always go again.
Wake Island is open May – October. They offer summer camps, group events and daily fun under the sun. Online bookings are required in advance and can be purchased on their website: