Day 164 – The Toronto Zoo Spoon

This spoon from the Metro Toronto Zoo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada was made in 1985 for the visit of two Pandas from the Peoples’ Republic of China, Qing Qing and Quan Quan. I guess that’s why it says “Panda Visit” at the top. 

Day 161 – The Exmoor Zoo Spoon

The Exmoor Zoo opened on a small farm in north Devon, in the southwest part of England in 1982. Originally known as “The Exmoor Bird Gardens,” they changed their name to “The Exmoor Animal and Bird Gardens” in 1995 and then “Exmoor Zoological Park” in 1997. It is now simply known as “Exmoor Zoo.”

This souvenir spoon from the zoo was probably manufactured in the last 20 years, given the shortened version of the name that appears under the profile of a parrot.


It’s quite possible that this spoon is haunted by the spirits of the zoo’s ten Humbolt Penguins—Buster, Newquay, Ludo, Percy, Lemmy, Truddle, Owlie, Blossom, Friendly and Arthur—all of whom died of avian malaria last fall. Rest in piece, little waddlers.

 

Day 138 – The Mount St. Helens Spoon

37 years ago today, Mount St. Helens erupted and forever changed its surrounding landscape. 


This spoon depicts the post-eruption mountain with what might be a Roosevelt elk majestically posing in front. Not sure what the pink stuff is supposed to be, but I’m pretty sure that’s clear blue sky above the mountain. We haven’t seen that in months though, so I can’t be sure. 

I was 12 years old when the mountain erupted. It just so happened that my dad had rented a Cessna 150 for the morning for a trip to see the mountain up close and personal. When he heard the mountain had erupted, he decided to keep the reservation anyway, because what could possibly go wrong? 

Here’s his pilot’s log with the entry from May 18, 1980:


Our flight plan took us from Boeing Field to within 10 miles of Mount St. Helens. I was asleep most of the flight and I remember him waking me up to see the massive black cloud in front of us. Zero visibility, but what an unforgettable experience. 

(It says “10 mile point Mt. St. Helens” in his log. Where was the red zone on that day? Were we IN the red zone?)