Today's post is a little jaunt through this year's trip to Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo.  Last year, I took you with us on our first Zoolights experience and showed you what I wore also.  I wore the same thing this year because it kept me warm during last year's cold weather, so no need to rehash that.  But this year we were able to attend on a Brewlights night when only those 21 and up are allowed to attend, and vendors give out tastings of beer, hard cider, and wine!


Let me tell you, the zoo without children is the BEST.  We will definitely be doing Brewlights again next year.  I really think the zoo needs to offer a few child-free days a year, so we can visit the animals and enjoy our time there in peace.  Because the Brewlights hours were different, we didn't have the opportunity to see too many animals this time around, but we enjoyed the views of the elephants, lions, otter, and other assorted creatures.  They also had live music in at least a couple different locations as well.

We paid a little bit extra to get into the event an hour earlier, which really paid off in terms of being able to access certain food vendors and the like.  We were handed light-up keepsake cups to use for our tastings, ten tasting tickets, and a map of the vendors.  Most vendors were beer, which I am not that interested in, but they did have a few hard cider choices, a hard kombucha (which I loved), and one wine vendor that I saw.  There was also a flavored vodka vendor back towards the exit. Unknowingly, we had the right idea upon entry - head into the heart of the zoo and get food first before the lines get insane.  We got burritos from Koi Fusion (probably one of the best burritos I have ever tasted!) and little donuts from Pip's.  Later on, Pip's would be so backed up with people that there is no way we would have waited in line.  Getting in early also allowed us to get some good photos in areas that get really congested later on, like the lighted tunnel.  And because there were no kids allowed, we actually had a chance to ride the train.  It was a great event and a great way to experience the event with it being child-free.  Getting there earlier to get food and photos before it gets packed is also the way to go.

Waiting in line.  All the employees were very nice and helpful.

Sean was too excited to climb in the bubble.  No adult could ever get in here when all the children are at the zoo.

I always love to take a photo with the butterfly.  The butterfly is a symbol of the thyroid and November is the anniversary of my thyroid cancer diagnosis.  I like little reminders that I am still cancer free.

I LOVE this tree.  I could stare at it all day.

Riding the train!