West with Giraffes (by Lynda Rutledge)
I’ve always thought giraffes were pretty amazing creatures, but I never fully appreciated their magnificence until I got to meet two of them up close. Last September, my husband and I spent two days at Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli, Indiana, to celebrate my retirement. During our visit, we had the opportunity to pet, feed, and take pictures with two majestic male giraffes, Marcello and Bert. We were incredibly grateful for the knowledge and experience our guide shared with us about these two beautiful animals and the lives of giraffes in general. I wrote an Adventure blog post about our travel excursion to Indiana, and you can read it here.
My curiosity about giraffes actually started with Nikolette. When she was just a puppy, one of the many toys we bought her was a squeaky giraffe toy. To this day, that toy remains her favorite. She adores it so much that we even bought her a few more of the same kind, along with other toys featuring giraffe prints. Needless to say, she’s quite spoiled. Therefore, when we planned our visit to Wilstem, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to meet the giraffes.
When I had the chance to add the book, West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge, to my Kindle during an Amazon First Reads program, I couldn’t resist. It was an incredible read for me—a historical fiction novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
At the grand age of 105, Woodrow Wilson Nickel, affectionately known as Woody, finds himself residing in a nursing home. A news program catches his attention, shedding light on the alarming news of the impending extinction of giraffes and other precious animals. This revelation ignites a spark within Woody, prompting him to write his story.
In 1938, two giraffes miraculously arrive on a ship in New York in the midst of a hurricane. Woody, who had barely survived the storm himself, witnessed the awe-inspiring arrival of these extraordinary animals. The giraffes were then entrusted to the care of Mr. Jones and his driver, who embarked on a perilous journey across the country to transport them to the renowned San Diego Zoo, where the infamous Zoo Lady, Belle Benchley, anxiously awaited.
Woody’s unwavering determination to be with the giraffes set the stage for an extraordinary journey. He’s not the only one fascinated by their presence — a young female photographer is hot on the trail of the giraffes as they journey to California. West with Giraffes is more than a story of a cross-country drive; it’s an adventure filled with frightful encounters, weather challenges, learning to navigate young love, and making peace with the past.
West with Giraffes is a captivating tale that beautifully illustrates the extraordinary influence and transformative power of animals on our lives. Every aspect of this book enchanted me. I often read a few pages before falling asleep at night. I love it when the characters, especially the giraffes, show up in my dreams. This book has left an indelible mark on my memory, and I will cherish it for years to come. Additionally, it piques my interest in learning more about the remarkable Belle Benchley, the pioneering female zoo director.
At Wilstem, we were informed that Marcello would soon be transferred to Minnesota to breed. Thanks to the people who operate places like Wilstem, giraffes are hopefully being saved from extinction.
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