Friday, February 10, 2012

National Zoo & Washington Monument

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Remember how Inky and I went to Washington, DC to see the Mariinsky Ballet with Inky's aunt? We actually got to stay for the entire weekend. While we were there I got to fulfill one of my goals for the year- I wanted to see a real, live Giant Panda! Inky and I had the chance to visit the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park- aka, the National Zoo.

One

We started out at the Panda Pavilion, where there is a big gift shop full of panda-themed items. There is a big panda statue outside, so we had to climb on it for a photo.

Two

Then, we went to the Asia Trail- the section of the zoo where the pandas live. There is a big building with different exhibit spaces for both kinds of pandas- Giant Pandas (my favorite!) and Red Pandas (Inky's favorite!). We saw two big adult pandas eating bamboo. There were some little exhibits for kids to look at. In this photo, Inky and I are playing in one of the crates the zookeepers use to keep the pandas active and busy.

bamboo snack

In the outside exhibit area, the red pandas were exploring their exhibit. Just like Giant Pandas, the Red Panda's main food is bamboo. Inky told me she loves to eat bamboo shoots in stir fry; we promised we'd ask her parents to make some for us.

Seven

There is a cute statue in the Asia Trail of two little red pandas, so Inky and I had to have our photo taken there too. Inky kept saying she wished she had a magic cupboard like the book Indian in the Cupboard, so that she could make the big panda statue come alive! I thought that might be a little scary, but a baby red panda would be pretty cute.

Nine

After we visited the pandas, we walked around the rest of the zoo. Most of the animals were inside, because it was very cold. Luckily, we found the Small Mammal House. There was a big statue of an aardvark outside. We had to take a photo to send our parents. The National Zoo really has a lot of animal statues!

Cheetahs in their den

As we left the zoo, we walked past the cheetah exhibit. Don't they look a tiny bit scary in their den? I bet they were cold- none of the other African animals were outside that day.

Eleven

We stopped by the gift shop on the way out. Inky and I decided to buy each other a present- but we're going to keep them hidden until Valentine's Day, when we'll surprise each other with our presents.

After that, we rode the DC Metro to the National Mall. It was really cool! So far, I've only been on subways in New York City and Washington, but Inky said I was a pro. I figured out our route all by myself!

Fourteen

There's a ranger station near the Washington Monument; we went there to turn in our Junior Ranger workbooks. The Junior Ranger program is a little bit like Girl Scouts. Kids can do a little workbook about a National Park and then earn a badge. Inky and her friend Violet have about twenty badges each, but this was my first one. I was proud to earn it in our nation's capitol. When the ranger swore us in as official Junior Rangers, I knew I would keep my promise to protect our nation's treasures.

Twelve

After we got our badges, we had to go to Union Station so we could catch the train back up to New York City, where Inky lives. Before we left, Inky snapped this photo of me in front of the Washington Monument. We had a great trip! I hope I'll be back someday!

9 comments:

  1. Awesome! I was actually right where you were in the last picture.=D

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  2. It sounds like you had a fun time, Piper! The last's picture focus and everything is just so beautiful, you should definitely do a photography business, your snapshots are amazing! Oh, and just a quick question- where did you get Piper's pants in the last photo and jacket? They are so pretty and I was wondering if where I could get some! Remember, even though Inky is far away, she's still in your heart. Most more soon!

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  3. Too kewl Piper sounds like you and Inky had tons of fun together and got to see so many animals and statues. I am like Inky it would be fun to have a cupboard that we could change things to life.

    Hugs,
    Taryn

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  4. Cute, Piper!! And I love your jacket.

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  5. I'm so glad you had a good time back East, Piper! Your pictures are a lot of fun!
    -Aunt Marianne

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  6. My doll Hilary is a big fan she's even made her own blog. :)

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  7. Hi Piper,
    Kiki and I are very big fans of this blog and it seems you and inky have had fun!! I wish our girls could travel as much as you do!! They have traveled a little bit from what they tell. You see they have been around for thousands of years(they are immortal) and have seen a thing or two;) If you want to find out more information about them, check on this website www.safeandsoundgirls.blogspot.com

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