Just
Having Fun Together
by
Mary M. Alward
Our 11th
anniversary was coming up and we had no idea how to celebrate.
Money was a little tight and we had been almost everywhere of
interest close to where we lived. We’d seen Niagara Falls
hundreds of times and had visited many of the attractions in the
area. So, we decided to have a fun day doing things we hadn’t
done in years.
When we awoke
the morning of our anniversary, we got up, showered, had breakfast
and headed out to the African Lion Safari which is about a half
hour drive from our home. We drove through the animal compound,
and then decided to take in the attractions. We hadn’t visited
the park in a few years and there was more to see and do.
The first
stop on our agenda was the Birds of Prey Show. We sat high in
the bleachers and enjoyed watching the Safari staff members tell
about the variety of birds that were housed at the Safar. We saw
snowy owls, hawks of different kinds, falcons and, for the finale,
a golden eagle. The male staff member offered tidbits of meat
to this beautiful bird as he spoke of its natural habitat and
its breeding, feeding and mating habits. Then, it was time for
the eagle to show us its stuff. As the trainer lifted his arm,
the bird spread his wings and rose into the sky. He circled the
area and glided on the wind currents. When the trainer gave three
short blasts on a whistle, the bird swooped toward him and right
past our heads. He was so close that we could feel the wind from
his wings.
Next, we
visited the Parrot Show. The comical antics of these birds sent
the audience into gales of laughter. One large green parrot rode
a miniature skate board and a beautiful red parrot rode a unicycle
that had been made especially for him. The parrots were a hit
with both the young and the young at heart.
My favorite
of the day was the elephant bath. We stood beside a manmade body
of water and watched as the elephants shot water from their trunks
over themselves and their companions. One baby elephant was quite
awkward in the water and his mother kept a close eye on him. However,
several young elephants that had just turned a year old were comical.
They had a water fight and cavorted in the water much like human
teenagers would. They sprayed each other, bumped into each other
and pushed their companions with their trunks. It was quite the
show.
We browsed
through the gift shop, which has wonderful souvenirs all adorned
with the animals in the park. Plates, mugs, cups, T-shirts, plastic
African animal and kids’ games were all part of the merchandise.
We bought a lovely plate with a picture of a beautiful elephant
on it as a souvenir of the day.
After leaving
the Safari, as we were driving toward home, we decided that we
would go out to dinner to celebrate our eleven years together.
We stopped at our favorite restaurant and enjoyed a beef back
rib dinner that was delicious. For dessert we each enjoyed a piece
of homemade apple pie.
One of the
waitresses must have overheard us talking because, while we were
eating our pie, four waitresses and one waiter came out of the
kitchen carrying a chocolate muffin with a candle in it and sang
a Happy Anniversary song. I remember a version of that song being
sung on The Flinstones years before.
After dinner
was over and our faces had returned to their normal color in lieu
of the bright red they turned when we were the center of attention,
we headed for home once more. On our way, we picked up a movie
and then settled down with a bowl of popcorn to enjoy the show.
What a day
it had been. No, we hadn’t done anything really special,
but since we both love animals and nature we had enjoyed the African
Lion Safari immensely and the dinner was delicious. We don’t
often get to go out for dinner, so that was a special treat.
All in all
it was a terrific day for both of us. We did the things that we
enjoy and celebrated 11 years together. although some people may
not think this is a great way to celebrate any anniversary, it
was a perfect day for us.
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