Today we explored the San Antonio Zoo, which covers 35 acres and is part of Brackenridge Park, an expansive green space just north of the downtown. We especially enjoyed seeing the hippos, which neither Keith nor I can remember ever seeing before in any other zoo. But my favorite animal was the Okapi, which looks like the love-child of a zebra and a giraffe, and which the signage describes as "secretive." What do you have to be so tight-lipped about, Okapi? If it's the fact that they sometimes go out back to smoke pipes and listen to Ke$ha, I want to be like, "No worries, Okapi. The emus were totally on to you and they let that secret out a long time ago."
The best part of the afternoon, though, was the discovery of a shaved ice cart vending Tex-Mex treats that were new to us. We passed on the Pik-a-Dilly -- shaved ice with pickle juice, diced pickles and chili power -- and went straight for the cucumber cup -- fresh cucumbers sprinkled with chili powder and lime juice -- and the Mango Pucker -- shaved ice, fresh mango, chili powder and lime. All of these are flavored with something called chamoy, which is a Mexican condiment made from pickled fruit. The flavors all combined for a little fiesta in our mouths -- at once sweet and salty; cool, but a little hot, too.
After the zoo, we hung out at the KOA pool, then we got cleaned up and headed back to the lovely River Walk for dinner -- this time straight-up tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas at Casa Rio, the oldest restaurant on the Walk. The kids surprised us by reciting nuggets of info that Juan had mentioned last night -- so they WERE listening. At one point during dinner, Juan sailed by in his tour boat. We all called out to him, and the kids were thrilled that he waved back.
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