Can I be the mean lady who asks about the bizarre and strangely compelling place that is the Reston Zoo?  Please do not misunderstand.  I have taken my children many times and have accompanied them on an additional number of field trips to this illustrious destination.  They loved it.  It was close by.  The parking was easy. 

All of these reasons make the zoo a prime destination for the junior set, but here's my problem.  It's a bunch of unrelated animals.  Perhaps in their separate small domains, that does not seem noteworthy.  Goats are in one place.  Toucans reside in another and kangaroos in yet another. 

The phenomenon that baffles me goes by the name Zoofari.  It is a wagon ride around an open plain where camels, buffalo, ostriches, variations on the theme of llama, and the odd peacock and duck loiter around for your amusement.  Animals that do not live on the same continent in nature have been invited to a suburban United Nations of fauna. 

Adding to the strangeness is the fact that the entire zoo is located in the backyard of a subdivision.  While every Realtor yearns to advertise "views of zebra and bison" in the description of their listings, I wonder what it's like to wake up to watusi charging at your fence.  

Monday 10:00 a.m.

Defensive Moves

Because we're always trying to tout the bonus value of everything Reston, it is our great pleasure to announce that it seems we're getting our own super-secret agency in our lovely planned community.  Go suck a lemon, McLean!

Does this mean that huge parts of Reston will no longer be accessible on Google Earth?  Will my house become an "undisclosed location?"  It's so exciting to consider the possibilities.

Half a million square feet of actual military personnel, not just military contractors like the rest of the office space around here.  So, for all of us who whine about the power of the DRB, I think there might be a new sheriff in town.  Reston Association may not have much luck enforcing Russet Brown and Barn Red if the DIA is worried about Code Orange.

So, we're going to be safer from now on, right?  We'll have the fine men and women of the Defense Intelligence Agency working in our backyards to assure that our military intelligence is premium.  Do not panic if the caller ID on your phone reads (000) 000-0000.  It's just your neighbor calling to borrow a cup of secrecy.