I think we did every touristy thing possible to do at the Iowa State Fair.  Really, we did!

Most things, we did together as a family.  MFH (My Favorite Husband), #1 Son and I (#1 Daughter was unable to go due to her work schedule) generally have a common interest in things, so we do not have a difficult time in agreeing on what we would like to do.

There is one thing, however, where MFH bowed out while #1 Son and went.  Snakes Alive.

Have you ever gone to a Snakes Alive exhibit?  Fascinating!  There are a lot of venomous snakes (live ones, thank you) for you to see slither around.  There are posts telling you about where they can be found and if they can kill you.  Nice things like that.

As #1 Son and I went through the exhibit, and we were reading the posts we would comment, “Oh!  We have those where we live!”  We must have said this about 5-6 time.  Finally, some guy behind us asked, “Where are do you live!?!”

At the end of the exhibit, you have the opportunity to hold a Python and have your photo taken with you holding it.

Flashback:

Back in the early 1990’s we lived for a few years in Des Moines, Iowa.  This was right before our move to Colorado.  MFH was working and traveling a lot so I took the kids to the Fair by myself.  #1 Daughter and #1 Son both wanted to see the Snakes Alive exhibit in the worst way, so, I took them.  No big deal.

We had a great time looking a the different snakes.

As we got to the end of the exhibit, #1 Son begged to have our pic taken with one of the Pythons.  #1 Daughter did not want to be in the pic so I told #1 Son that I would be with him in the pic.

We sat down and the person working with the Python brought it over to us to drape it around our necks.  #1 Son flipped.  He couldn’t handle it up close and personal like that.

I sat there while the man took a pic of me holding this enormous snake.

Afterwards, I looked around and there was #1 Son.  He was still sitting on the bench but he was a mile away.  He had one finger extended, trying to touch the snake with his finger but not trying very hard.  It was cute!

Jump Ahead:

As we were getting ready to have our pic taken with the snake this time, I told him he was not allowed to chicken out this time.  His reply…

“Mom!!!  I was only 4 years old!  Give me a break!”  Silly guy.   🙂

Our snake’s name was Lola.  She’s 12 feet long and weighs 80 pounds.