Fort Worth Zoo

Today was a US federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr day. A day off in January doesn't sound very special when you're used to January being cold, wet and dark, but it happened to be a gloriously sunny and warm day so we headed out to visit Fort Worth Zoo. We were impressed with the range of animals they have and the design of the zoo; no plain concrete slab enclosures in sight. Many of the enclosures had large glass windows so you could get a really good close-up look at the animals. Our favourite was primate section, I could have watched the silverback gorilla gently pick up pieces of popcorn for hours. A huge crocodile a couple of feet from you is an awesome sight too.

It was a really good day out, but even with all these amazing animals and interactive displays the kids most enjoyed the tornado simulator and some ice-creams.

Fondling star fish

The boys are monkeying around again

Ice-creams outside in January.

Fun in the wind

From 40°C to -7°C

Five months ago today we were spending our first day in Texas, it was up to 40°C in the day and still above 30°C at night, the grass was green, cicadas were deafening, and mosquito repellent a daily feature of life. The coarse grass has now turned to yellow straw, God knows where the lizards have gone, and it's cold. I have got a lot of respect for those pioneering homesteaders who moved into these dry lands, set up home and made a living.

Luckily for us we have air conditioning, swimming pools, 'bug spray' and heating. Even though it's cold, it's bright most days, the sun is up by 7:30am and it doesn't get dark until nearly 6pm. We just have to deal with modern-day inconveniences, such as sheet ice on the pavements.

Your sprinklers are still on? Seriously!