A Safari with Grandma

Grandma Debbie never quite knows what is in store for her when she comes to visit us. She assumes the worst: kale for dessert, parmesan labeled as granna, sweet potato burgers, and the mountain that we live on. And yet, she is such a trooper, and we think she comes mainly to see the flowers in bloom, as “there aren’t any roses like this in Ohio.” But this time we knew of an adventure right up her alley - camping! Or rather, glamping. at Safari West, where wild animals stroll in front of our tent.

We drove to Sonoma, stopping by Storybook Winery on the way. We enjoyed a rich history of Zinfandels in that region, and then went to check into our safari tent. It was camping in luxury - hot water showers and attached bathrooms, heated four poster beds, and a balcony overlooking Antelope Alley. Outside our door were different enclosures: antelopes, wart hogs, flamingos, and when the morning came - giraffes! We watched Bronte run in the open fields, point to all the birds, monkeys, and lemurs. We booked a behind the scenes tour, and Bronte got to feed so many animals. The giraffe got branches, the wart hogs ate lettuce, porcupines had corn, and the duck bill birds and scarlet Ibis gulped down raw meat balls. Bronte was fearless with all the animals, even as their beaks chomped down on her hand, and the long teeth of the porcupine came close to her little fingers, or when the long tongue of the giraffe grazed the top of her head.