In the checkout line at the supermarket there was a fellow ahead of me who was buying a big pile of bananas. The strange thing is I noticed the bananas before I did the guy. (Is this just another sign of aging?)
Anyway, I was thinking, “He must love bananas.
- Maybe he has a big family.
- Maybe he is a camp counselor buying snacks for the kiddies.
- Maybe he wants to make banana bread?”
I was still lost in imagining what he would possibly do with all those bananas when he turned back toward me and smiled.
And there was an emblem on his shirt that said, “Safari Park.”
Aha! Mystery solved. This was a representative of the Virginia Safari Park, a magical place near me and just a few miles north of Virginia’s Natural Bridge. Safari Park is where my grandgirls (all grown up now) still demand to go every time they visit.
“Are the bananas for the monkeys?” I boldly asked the Safari Park man.
“Yes, and the giraffes love them too.”
“Do you mind if I take a picture of all those bananas? Oh, and a picture of you too? I want to write a blog post about the park.”
“Of course, he said, “And thank you.”
If you are interested in going to the Virginia Safari Park, my young friend told me they will be open until Thanksgiving.
Virginia Safari Park is a 180-acre drive-thru adventure featuring 1,000 free roaming animals. Drive along 3 miles of road in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as your backdrop, animals of all sizes, shapes and colors approach your vehicle in search of a tasty bucket of feed. Their website is http://www.virginiasafaripark.com .
Those drive through free-range parks are so fun!
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wow, didn’t know they just went to the supermarket for bananas. I always thought they had some special super secret supplier.
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I love all those parks you have in America Dora especially the wildlife. Of course Yellowstone Park is the favourite but I guess they all do a great job in looking after the animals.
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Come on, be honest! You just thought he was cute and that’s why you wanted the picture :). I’m telling Bill LOL.
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Bwahahaha! You may be onto something there kiddo. 🙂
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Ha! I knew it :). I would have done the same thing because he is kinda cute LOL.
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Ours is the only one I have tried. Must make it a point to visit some others.
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You always know exactly where my mind set is. I was thinking the same thing. Doesn’t this park have a regular food supplier? I should have asked more questions. Instead I guessed this fellow has a personal connection with his giraffes and monkeys and made a special purchase just for them.
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There are some not-so-cared-for wildlife parks here Rita and there are groups who monitor and try to shut down those who are suspected of gross mismanagement. It is a shame but some people are either negligent or cruel. Breaks my heart.
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I was thinking special treats, or supplier messed up an order so they need some more. I was also wondering if their supplier might have been affected by the hurricanes and is short on bananas at the moment. In any case, nice that he made the effort for his friends.
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I would like to visit the Safari Park! Nice looking young man (loved “photosfromtheloonbin’s comment!).
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I would love Safari Park, too! Great that the animals got fresh bananas!
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Great opportunity for a nice post! I would love to visit the park, too and it’s wonderful that they treat the animals to fresh bananas! I love your posts, Dor!!!
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Kids (of all ages) must love this place!
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This is hilarious, Dor. I’m sure he was wondering why this woman was taking photos of his bananas. 🙂 I’m happy he was a good sport about it. Looks like a fun park. 🙂
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What fun! The young man added spark to a checkout line! I’m so glad you asked to take his picture.
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Good thinking Andrew!
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Next time you come this way, plan to visit the Safari Park. I will go with you. I love the comments from my friend photosfromthelooneybin too. She is one of those “tormentors” and we love to exchange barbs. 🙂
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It is surely a wonderful place to visit. Thanks Liz.
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Thank you again Liz! I am so happy you are enjoying my posts.
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It’s a fact! I haven’t met anyone yet who hasn’t loved visiting there.
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Hahaha! I did ask the cute Safari Park guy if I could take pics of his bananas and him and he readily agreed.
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I do love making up stories about people I see in public, and this guy with the bananas was “food for thought”. Turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
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Ummmmm… I think I am too proud and maybe too old to notice cute guys? LOL But secretly…..
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How fun! I laughed over thinking you were just going ‘bananas’ trying to figure out why he was buying so many.
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Looks like you two had the best time. Love all those banana’s! Great to see you again Dorann – hope you guys have a wonderful weekend and Hurriane Jose doesn’t get too close to you.
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Until I read this post, I never thought about where zoos and safari parks get bananas for the monkeys and other animals.
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It looks to me as though he was buying for more than the giraffes and monkeys. Look at those loaves of bread, and the grapes. It looks like there might have been a melon and some sweet potatoes, too — all good food for animals. I think someone else was going to be getting lunch — I’m just not sure who it would have been.
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Did you get his email so you could make sure he saw your wonderful post? He was kinda cute too 😉
We have wildlife parks in Texas too but it’s been a minute since I’ve been to one.
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It did put a little kick in the mundane act of checking out in a grocery line. 🙂 thanks Cindy.
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Thanks for your good wishes Mary and again, Welcome Back! I am so glad to see your beautiful art work again.
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I have thought about that too since meeting the Safari Man. Should have asked but I seriously doubt they do their major shopping at the local grocery store.
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You have a keen eye shoreacres! There were a lot of other things. I figured they were just running short. Maybe the major delivery truck hadn’t come so they were just filling in.
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Darn! No, I didn’t get his email address…. figured he woud think the old lady was making a pass. 🙂
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Thank you Dorann. Hope you guys don’t have any effects from Hurricane Jose – have a great week!
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I must add this to my bucket list (the one I haven’t started).
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LOL, this one really cracked me up Dor – doesn’t he look like a really happy guy? And I’m sure his menagerie was happy when he brought those bananas back to the park!
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