Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center-Springfield, IL

The Lincoln Memorial Garden & Nature Center in Springfield, Illinois was not quite what I thought it would be. We were running late (remember our three hour detour) that we missed going inside the Nature Center, but we went on a short walk along a trail that led down to Lake Springfield.

The kids were grateful to be outside in nature.

The trail was a little remote and made me feel a little unsafe. The kids loved throwing rocks in the lake. When I said it was time to go Brax got grumpy. Oh well! Can't please everyone.

It was beautiful amongst all the trees. Delaney even spotted a little rabbit.

It was a nice end to our day! 

Henson Robinson Zoo-Springfield, IL

Our second destination for the day was the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, IL. It is a tiny zoo (14 acres), but entertaining. 

There were a few larger animals like a wallaby, African wild dogs and an Asiatic black bear. The bear seemed lonely.

As we walked around the zoo the kids really enjoyed the peacocks that roamed freely. Braxton really wanted to touch one.

The sloth was really active and cracked us up with a grape in its mouth. The titi monkeys and the coati were really adorable.

Delaney found a friend. The donkey was following her around.

I loved the owls and vultures. 

The wolverine and small cats (can't remember if the one below was a lynx) seemed like they were on a mission to get out of their cages.

When we first pulled up and parked the kids saw this playground. Braxton and Delaney were so excited to round the corner and finally get to go play on it. It was such a great way for them to get their pent up energy out and for me to relax a little bit. Braxton was determined to keep playing even when it started raining. I love where he sought shelter for a while.

The river otters were right next to the playground so Alyssa went to check them out while the little ones played. One of them was being really playful.

The kids were bummed that they couldn't ride the train, but the five peacocks hanging around us made up for it. Brax was ecstatic when the lady at the zoo said he could keep the feather he found. 

Right after I took the photo below it began to pour. I was drenched within minutes as I got out jumper cables to help a stranded zoo visitor.

All in all we had a lot of fun at the Henson Robinson Zoo.

Scovill Zoo-Decatur, IL

We were so excited to finally reach Illinois after a three hour detour and then an additional hour drive. Unfortunately, we were in for the most boring, flat, ugly drive ever once we crossed into Illinois along US-36.

We were so grateful to finally arrive at the Scovill Zoo in Decatur, IL and to get out of the caravan at last! It was only our first out of three destinations for the day. What should have taken only three and a half hours ended up taking six hours. Way too long to be trapped in a vehicle. Thankfully, the Scovill Zoo is so tiny (only 15 acres) that it only takes about an hour to walk through and enjoy.

We decided to take a ride on the Z. O. & O. Express Train. Be aware that it is only a 1-mile track and costs $2.50 a person. The ride ends before it even seems to start. My kids enjoyed seeing the animals especially the cheetahs and screaming through the tunnel.

One of the highlights of our visit was the baby red-necked wallaby. This little joey had just started leaving its mother's pouch a day or two before we arrived. We were lucky enough to see it on the first day this little joey had shown itself to the public. It even started nursing in front of us. 

We passed a peacock pacing around the bumper of a zoo truck trying to intimidate its own reflection. Braxton loved seeing another giant tortoise.

The golden lion tamarins were adorable and very curious when the kids walked up. The capybaras and lemurs were very active.

The kids loved the reptile and amphibian house. Braxton was pretending that this python was like the snake in Harry Potter and that he could speak parseltongue to it. Then he acted out the scene where Dudley taps on the glass, ends up falling through and the snake escapes its exhibit. 

They have a few larger animals: a lonely zebra, two camels and two cheetahs.

We had to wait for the train to come by so the little ones could check it out.

              

Another highlight was the baby groundhogs. They were so adorable. At one point a black bird landed near it and was checking it out. The mother and another adult scared it off. Baby groundhog was almost lunch.

The kookaburra reminded us of our friends in Australia.

Braxton loves bald eagles so when we saw this at the end he got so excited.

Last, but not least was the wolf. He waited all day to see it!

All in all the kids enjoyed the Scovill Zoo and the time spent out of the vehicle. It is clean and the animals seem well cared for.